In September, Apple launched its latest range of smartwatches, introducing the very first Ultra ($799) alongside the Series 8 ($399) and a new Apple Watch SE ($249). Each wearable has its own pros and cons, but the introduction of the high-end Ultra also means there are now more Apple Watch models on the market than ever before – and many more deals to be had.
But with all those options, which one should you choose? In general, you want to buy the latest watch you can afford so that it continues to receive software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 9, launched in September on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, though no one can say for sure whether the Series 4 will receive the next major software update. Also keep in mind that unlike some Apple products, the biggest discounts tend to be on the latest models, not the last generation.
If you buy a watch of the latest (or a recent) generation, you can be sure that you are getting a smartwatch with an updated design, a robust number of features and many sensors. And luckily, now that the Series 3 is officially out of commission (it’s long overdue), it’s harder to end up with a watch that will quickly feel outdated.
Now let’s get into the deals.
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The best Apple Watch deals
The best Apple Watch Series 8 deals
The Apple Watch Series 8 represents the latest wearable in Apple’s flagship Series lineup. It brings a new chipset (which our colleague Victoria Song says is no faster than the previous iteration), new temperature sensors that enable menstrual tracking, Crash Detection, and a host of other improvements. While the subtle improvements are welcome, the Series 8 isn’t all that different from the previous model, the Apple Watch Series 7.
We recently saw the starting price of the base Apple Watch Series 8 drop to $349, but the 41mm model with GPS is currently on sale at Best Buy, AmazonAnd Goal for an all-time low of about $329 ($70 off). As for the larger 45mm model, it’s also available for $70 off Best Buy And Goalwhere you can pick it up for around $359.
If you’re looking for an unlocked LTE-equipped model, Best Buy and Target are offering the same $70 discount on both the 41mm configuration (Best Buy/Goal) and the 45mm variant (Best Buy/Goal), which start at $429 and $459, respectively.
The best Apple Watch SE deals
The Apple Watch SE received a refresh at the end of 2022. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which is great, but with fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a slightly dated design compared to the Series 7 and Series 8. Those omissions might get this out of the way for some people, but it could still be just what you’re looking for. Best of all, it starts with $249 for the 40mm Wi-Fi/GPS model, which is $30 less than the baseline cost of the previous generation. Opting for mobile bumps raises the starting price to $299 for the 40mm size (44mm adds $20 to any configuration).
The 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS is currently available at Best Buy And Goal for about $219, which is about $30 off and the wearable’s lowest price to date. The GPS-only model is also available in the 44mm size for just $249 ($30 off) at the same retailers (Best Buy/Goal), or in the LTE-equipped configuration Amazon, Best BuyAnd Goal from $269 ($30 off).
If you think it’s cool to buy the last generation model, Walmart even has the 40mm, GPS-equipped SE for $199which is a total of $80 off.
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The best Apple Watch Ultra deals
Apple’s big, chunky and capable Watch Ultra launches on $799 with GPS and LTE support, and in case you’re not in the know, it has the most features, sensors, and ruggedness of any Apple Watch model available to date. The 49mm body houses a screen that can get brighter than the Series 8, it has a longer battery life and more accurate GPS tracking, and it’s packed with sensors that essentially turn it into a swim and dive guide.
In terms of deals, we recently saw the Apple Watch Ultra drop to an all-time low of $749 across multiple retailers. However, right now it’s only on sale for $779.99 ($20 off in medium and large band sizes) at Amazonor for the full retail price of $799 at Goal, Best Buyand other retailers.
While all of the Apple Watch models and colorways covered here are encased in aluminum (with the exception of the Ultra, which is made of titanium), Apple makes a more premium range of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings are functionally and aesthetically similar to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly refined colors and finishes – polished for the stainless steel and brushed for the titanium. However, they start with much higher prices of $749 and up. They, too, can often be found on sale, but they’re never priced as low as the standard base models, so we’re not including them here.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.