Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event starts on October 8th (think of it like Prime Day 2), and whether you’re looking to stock up on essentials, or start on your holiday shopping, you’re bound to find something you want on sale. Apple isn’t known for going all out for really any kind of sale event, but you’ll find more than a few of the company’s products on discount ahead of Prime Day. And while not all the iPads and Macs on sale support upcoming features like Apple Intelligence, Apple’s real advantage is that all of its products run fast and look good without AI, too.
You won’t find the newest products, like the iPhone 16 or Apple Watch Series 10 on sale just yet, but older iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches and Macs are fair game, and still absolutely worth considering given the features watchOS 11, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia introduced. Here are some of the best Apple deals you can get right now ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.
The best early Prime Day deals on iPads
The biggest change Apple made to the iPad in 2024 was slimming out the iPad Pro (the 13-inch version is now the thinnest product the company sells) and introducing a new larger size of the iPad Air. Currently, the entry-level 10th-generation iPad and the 6th-generation iPad mini are seeing the biggest discounts, but all of Apple’s current tablets will see the benefits of iPadOS 18, like expanded customization, the calculator app, and improvements to Apple Notes.
Apple iPad (2022)
$299 $349 Save $50
The 10th-generation iPad was redesigned in October 2022, with a new body in a bunch of fun colors. It runs on an older A14 Bionic chip, so it won’t support Apple Intelligence features, but it is plenty powerful enough for day-to-day use. You’ll save $50
Apple iPad Mini (2021)
$380 $499 Save $119
The iPad mini is due for an update, but if you’re not worried about getting the latest version, you’ll get a powerful, but compact tablet when you buy the 6th-generation model. It has an A15 Bionic, Apple Pencil support, and access to nearly all the latest software save Apple Intelligence. You’ll save $119.
The best early Prime Day deals on AirPods
Apple introduced a new version of its entry-level headphones, the AirPods 4, in two different varieties, one without active noise cancelation and the need for uncomfortable ear tips, plus the benefits of Apple’s H2 chip like Personalized Spatial Audio, and the other with just the H2 chips. The company’s more interesting plans lie with a software update coming to the second-generation AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C that will turn them into a hearing aid. You can get both pairs of headphones on sale ahead of Prime Day.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
$190 $249 Save $59
The second-generation AirPods Pro were already good wireless earbuds in terms of sound quality and ANC, but Apple’s upcoming update should make them a tool for hearing protection and assistance too, which could make them priceless. You’ll save $59.
Apple AirPods (4th Generation)
$119 $129 Save $10
The 4th-generation AirPods don’t have ANC unless you pay a premium, but you’ll still get an H2 chip, improved acoustic architecture, and a USB-C charging case. You’ll save $10.
The best early Prime Day deals on Apple Watches
Thanks to watchOS 11 additions like the Vitals app for tracking your health trends and Training Load for quantifying how hard you’re pushing yourself during a workout, you don’t need to buy an Apple Watch Series 10 to get the newest software features of Apple’s smartwatches. If you’re looking for a discount, the biggest cuts are on Apple’s older watches anyway, specifically the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
$189 $249 Save $60
The Apple Watch SE is bound to be updated soon, but the current second-generation model will get you heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and workout tracking, along with a deep integration with Apple’s other products. You’ll save $60.
Apple Watch Series 9
$329 $429 Save $100
The Apple Watch Series 9 has already been replaced by the Series 10, but it still has many of it’s best features, like support for Double Tap, a faster processor, and the upcoming sleep apnea detection feature. You’ll save $100 on a 45mm model.
The best early Prime Day deals on Macs
Apple hasn’t yet updated its Macs to the recently introduced M4 chip — that’s reportedly starting later in October — but buying a MacBook or desktop Mac with anywhere from an M1 to M3 chip will still get you solid performance, and Apple’s familiar software experience and deep integration with its other products. As of the release of macOS Sequoia, that includes things like iPhone Mirroring, automatic window tiling, the new Passwords app, and eventually, Apple Intelligence. The current Macs on sale are two sizes of the M3 MacBook Air, the M2 Macbook Air, and M2 Mac mini, but more could come as we approach Prime Big Deal Days.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3,2024)
$899 $1099 Save $200
The M3 MacBook Air doesn’t look all that different from the M2 version, but its new chip makes it more graphically powerful, and more battery-efficient, with up to 18 hours of battery life. You’ll save $200 on a 256GB model.
MacBook Air M3 15-inch
$1099 $1299 Save $200
You can also get a 15-inch version of the M3 MacBook Air with the same performance improvements and all-day battery life, just with a larger screen. You’ll save $200.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M2, 2022)
$849 $999 Save $150
The M2 MacBook Air is a couple of years old at this point, but it still looks as great and feels as speedy as it did when it launched. You might get a shorter shelf life than a device with an M3 or M4 chip, but it runs the latest software and looks good doing it. You’ll save $150.
Apple Mac Mini (2023)
$699 $799 Save $100
Apple is expected to dramatically redesign the Mac mini in its next release, but the 2023 Mac mini is still a solid, affordable computer. It has an M2 chip, multiple USB ports, and the same great integration as Apple’s other products. You’ll save $100
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