Are you looking for a deal on an Apple Watch? I have been keeping track of Apple Watch prices and discounts since Apple launched its very first smartwatch back in 2015, and there are some great deals available right now. There are also some unimpressive Apple Watch sales you should avoid, and I’ll help you determine which deals are worthwhile.
You can currently save up to $100 on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the entry-level Apple Watch SE. On top of that, the brand-new Apple Watch Series 10 just got its biggest discount so far. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black Titanium is down to its lowest price ever as well. But there are also a couple of deals that aren’t too enticing, and I’m going to point them out so that you can avoid them.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is on sale starting at $299, but most case and band options are already sold out. That obviously makes sense since this model was discontinued when Apple released the Series 10 update. Of note, there are currently far more 45mm models in stock than 42mm models.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE starts at $189 right now, which is within $19 of the lowest price ever.
The only bad deals out there right now are on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is just $21 off at the moment. I definitely recommend waiting for a deeper discount if you want this model, unless you want the black titanium finish. As I mentioned earlier, the black version is on sale at its lowest price ever right now.
Let’s break down each model and dive into the best (and worst) deals on every smartwatch that Apple makes.
Apple Watch Series 10 & Apple Watch Ultra 2: Newest models on sale
Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are impressive upgrades — and both models are currently on sale with discounts.
First, we have the Apple Watch Series 10, which is one of the biggest upgrades in years for Apple’s main smartwatch model.
The most obvious change for the new Series 10 lineup is the new design. The displays on the Apple Watch Series 10 are Apple’s largest yet, measuring either 42mm on the smaller model or 46mm on the larger one. That’s an increase of up to 30% compared to the Series 9. You also get brighter LTPO3 OLED displays that reach up to 2000 nits.
The other big news is all the new finishes that Apple is offering. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 models have a sleek new Jet Black colorway. Then, stainless steel has been ditched in favor of a gorgeous polished titanium finish on the GPS + Cellular models.
Apple’s updated S10 SiP is also a big boost over the previous-generation chipset, and battery life still sits at up to 18 hours despite all the improvements.
Prices still start at $399 for the Apple Watch Series 10, though some models already have slight discounts.
As great as Apple’s new Series 10 models are, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also a great update compared to the first-generation model.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an insanely bright new OLED display that can reach an eye-popping 3,000 nits of brightness. But it’s also great for battery life because it can drop all the way down to just 1 nit in low-light conditions.
On top of that, this model also has the new S9 SiP and all the same new health sensors as the Series 9 model. That means faster performance, better efficiency, and that awesome new double-tap feature that lets you control the watch just by pinching your thumb and pointer together twice.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $799, just like its predecessor, and it comes with a bunch of new band options. You should pay $749 or $759 for the Ultra 2 at most, so you’re getting a good deal anytime you can save at least $40 or $50.
The Ultra 2 is way too big for my wrist, so I don’t have one myself. But I wish it wasn’t so huge because I’m jealous of the battery life. People can easily get two days or even more in between charges with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. My Apple Watch can’t even make it through one full day on a charge anymore, even when I barely use it.
Apple Watch SE price drop
There haven’t been many noteworthy Apple Watch SE deals this year, which is a bummer. I think the Apple Watch SE often gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t. This model is Apple’s most affordable smartwatch, and it makes Apple Watches accessible to people who otherwise couldn’t afford one.
The bad news is that most of the impressive deals we saw earlier this month have either ended or sold out. It’s a shame, but there’s always a chance that the sales will return soon. After all, the current crop of Apple Watch Series 8 deals began at the same time, and they’re still available now.
Read our Apple Watch SE review for more info about this model, and keep an eye on the listings below to see which colorways are on sale right now.
Prices start at $189 at the moment, which is an excellent deal. You should look to spend a maximum of $199 for the Apple Watch SE 40mm model, and $239 for the larger 44mm version. Anything under that, and you’re paying a fantastic price for this entry-level Apple Watch.
Sometimes, people scoff at the Apple Watch SE because it doesn’t garner quite as much fanfare as Apple’s flagship smartwatches. But of all the models Apple sells, the Apple Watch SE is by far the best value.
Yes, the SE lacks some of the more complex features that you’ll find on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9. But all of the core features are there, and it runs all the same apps. If you want to spend less time fishing around on your iPhone but don’t want to pay $399+, the Apple Watch SE is definitely a great buy.
Apple Watch Series 9 discounts
The Series 9 has S9 SiP at its core. Plus, the display is way brighter, but it’s not only about brightness this time around. In addition to Apple’s boost in brightness, the new Series 9 display can also get much darker than older models. With the always-on display option enabled, the screen can drop to just 1 nit of brightness. That’ll have a big impact on battery life.
There are also so many new features to enjoy in watchOS 10. Tons of new sensors mean you’ll get even more accurate health data. And let’s not forget the new double-tap pinch gesture. Apple seemingly has no plans to enable this feature on older Apple Watch models.
If I needed a new Apple Watch model myself, this is definitely the one that I would get. The Apple Watch Series 9 is a solid upgrade even without the blood oxygen sensor. I have a working pulse ox sensor on my Apple Watch Series 8 right now, and I can’t even remember the last time I used it. Most people are probably in the same boat as me, too.
Thanks to the current sale, Apple Watch Series 9 GPS prices start at $299 for the version with a 41mm display, and the 45mm model starts at $359. Again, these are both excellent deals for the Series 9. Also, the price of the 45mm model has never been this close to the smaller 41mm version, so it’s an especially good deal if you want the larger Apple Watch.
You can also pick up the Apple Watch Series 9 GPS + Cellular model starting at $399 for the 41mm model and $429 for the 45mm model. Those are both $100 discounts, and they’re also within $19 of the all-time low prices.
Needless to say, the Apple Watch Series 9 has been discontinued now that the newer Series 10 is here. That means once the deals above sell out, they’ll likely be gone for good.
Apple Watch Ultra 1st-Gen is on sale
The Apple Watch Ultra was first released on September 23, 2022, and it rarely saw discounts last year. But now that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is out, you can actually get Apple’s 1st-generation model without paying full price.
If you want to save as much as possible on Apple’s biggest and best smartwatch ever, renewed Apple Watch Ultra models are on sale starting at $449. Considering how expensive the Apple Watch Ultra is compared to other models, this is a fantastic opportunity to save a lot of cash.
Of note, you don’t often find renewed Apple Watch Ultra models in good condition that are under the $500 mark.
Importantly, renewed Ultra models are guaranteed to look and function like new, or you have 90 days to get a refund. That’s a great policy, of course, because it means you have nothing to lose.
I told a good friend of mine about Amazon’s renewed Apple Watch Ultra deals the last time they were available. He ended up buying one, and he texted me as soon as it arrived to thank me. He said that the one he got looked brand-new like it was the first time it was ever removed from the box. The only difference was that he paid about $150 less than he would’ve if he bought a new Apple Watch Ultra instead of a renewed one.
And right now, renewed Apple Watch Ultra models are on sale for even less than what my friend paid!
The only caveat here is the same caveat we always warn our readers about when it comes to deals on renewed products. Inventory is obviously going to be very limited, and the best deals usually sell out fast once we’ve let the cat out of the bag.
Our favorite Apple Watch bands
One of the best parts of owning an Apple Watch is the fact that you can customize any model with a wide range of Apple Watch bands. That includes tons of different first-party bands that Apple sells, of course. I not only swap bands daily, but I went so far as the buy a storage case for all of them. Once you swap, you can’t stop!
However, in addition to Apple’s own bands, there are countless third-party Apple Watch bands that you can get to separate yourself from the pack. Prices range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, and there’s a practically endless variety of options to suit every style, color, and taste.
Here are some of our favorite Apple Watch bands that you can get right now to customize your Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra, or any other Apple Watch model you might own.
I own several of these popular Apple Watch bands myself, so I can vouch for how good they are. Apple sells plenty of great Apple Watch bands as well, but we think they’re way overpriced. Some fabric straps that Apple sells cost as much as $99.
That’s crazy, especially when you can get practically the same bands for a fraction of the price when you buy similar bands that aren’t made by Apple. Or, if you’re looking for other designs, the Apple Watch band deals we listed above are all great options.
FAQ
Apple Watch with cellular offers LTE connectivity, so you don’t need your phone to make or receive calls or send messages. Apple also sells Apple Watch without cellular for a less expensive price.
If you want to make use of the Apple Watch’s cellular connectivity, however, you will need to pay your wireless carrier a monthly fee for a separate data plan. The Apple Watch is not able to piggyback on your smartphone’s data plan.
Apple Watch Series 9 normally starts at $399 for the smaller 41mm version. The 45mm model retails starting at $429. If you’re looking for Apple Watch with cellular, those models start at $499 and $529, respectively, for the 41mm and 45mm models.
Needless to say, all of these different models are on sale right now with deep discounts.
Yes, for all intents and purposes. Apple Watch Series 9 is water-resistant with a WR50 rating. That offers up protection up to 50 meters in water. That means you can go swimming with the Apple Watch in a pool.
Apple Watch is also rated IPX6, which means it is dust-tight against dust particles.
If you’re in the US, Apple Watch is available at all Apple retail stores, and also retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and more. You can also find LTE and cellular models at carrier stores like AT&T and Verizon
Since the Apple Watch Series 4, the Apple Watch has offered the ECG feature. All Apple Watch models also offer heart rate monitoring and notifications. To use the ECG electrocardiogram functionality, which is also sometimes referred to as EKG, your iPhone should be running the latest version of iOS.
