Black Friday is about one thing: Deals. However, Apple isn't particularly keen to offer even small discounts on any of its products.
That said, if you look hard enough, you can find some deals on Apple's wares – perhaps even on its newest Series 5 model. And while you won't find them at Apple, retailers and carriers such as Amazon and Verizon will give you a welcome price cut on the world's favorite smartwatch.
You'll need to hold your horses for the moment though. Officially, Black Friday doesn't kick off until November 29. But, retailers are keen to compete for customers, so often kick off their savings in advance. We'll do all the leg work for you by keeping this guide updated to find the best Apple Watch deals. Of course, if you want a wearable but don't want to shell-out a small fortune for an Apple Watch, you could take a look at the best Fitbit deals this Black Friday.
In This Guide:
Apple Watch Series 5 Deals
The Apple Watch Series 5 is Apple's latest and greatest smartwatch, taking the redesigned Series 4 and adding a raft of usual new features.
It maintains the big, bright OLED screen from the Series 4 but adds always-on functionality to make your Apple Watch feel more like, y'know, a regular Watch. Despite the new permanently on display, you should get the same 18-hour battery life as the older models, as well as improved accelerometers and G-force sensors.
The big news for the Series 5 was the range of health tracking improvements it offers. For example, it has a decible monitor to keep an ear out for when your surroundings are loud enough to damage your hearing. Plus, it has an advanced new menstrual cycle tracking feature. The Series 5 gets a new compass feature to prevent you getting lost.
When it comes to choosing a model, the only differences between the 42mm and 44mm is the overall size of the Watch. If you like a chunky timepiece, we'd get the 44mm. There are, however, a range of special versions with different case materials and bands to choose from. There's the Apple Watch Nike, with a different sporty band; the Apple Watch Hermes, with expensive leather bands; and the Apple Watch Edition, with ceramic or titanium finishes — we wouldn't bother with any of these.
Apple Watch Series 5 GPS + Cellular (40mm) Deals
From $20.83/mo on Verizon (plus $10 off first month) – Click For Deals
Key Specs
- Dimensions (HxWxD mm): 40x34x10.7
- Weight (g): 30.8
- Case options:
- Stainless steel — Silver, Space Black, Gold
- Aluminum — Silver, Space Gray, Space Black, Gold
- Display size (mm2): 759
Pros
- Works brilliantly with iPhones
- Always-on display makes it easier to use
- Cellular connection means it works without iPhone
- Option to install loads of third-party sports-tracking apps
Cons
- Isn't compatible with Android phones
- Expensive
Apple Watch Series 4 Deals
The Series 4 is now over a year old, but still looks bang up to date given that it has essentially the same design as the new Series 5. Like the newer version of the Apple Watch, it has a big, bright OLED screen — without the always-on feature, though. Again, like the Series 5, it has 18 hours of battery life.
However, compared to the Series 3, it has a range of improvements. For example, it has reworked accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect and more accurately track your exercise and activity, an improved optical heart sensor for more accurate heart rate monitoring, and a new Digital Crown with haptic feedback, making it even more effortless to use.
The Series 4 is thinner than the Series 3, making it more comfortable while also being able to display more information on the screen. Truth be told, we'd almost always choose a Series 4 over a Series 3, especially as the newer version is starting to see some price reductions.
When it comes to choosing your flavor of Series 4, there's precious little to choose between the 40 and 44mm versions. The 44mm version will make the screen larger and easier to see, but won't have any functional difference.
Key Specs
- Dimensions (HxWxD mm): 40x34x10.7
- Weight (g): 30.1
- Case options:
- Stainless steel — Silver, Space Black, Gold
- Aluminum — Silver, Space Gray, Gold
- Display size (mm2): 759
Pros
- Seamlessly connects to iPhones
- Cellular connection means that you don't need to bring your iPhone with you
- Larger display makes content easier to see
- Can track loads of sports and activities through first- and third-party apps
Cons
- Isn't compatible with Android phones
- Still expensive
Key Specs
- Dimensions (HxWxD mm): 44x38x10.7
- Weight (g): 36.7
- Case options:
- Stainless steel — Silver, Space Black, Gold
- Aluminum — Silver, Space Gray, Gold
- Display size (mm2): 977
Pros
- Big screen makes apps easy to use
- Thin design makes overall watch feel unobtrusive
- Large display makes extra complications easier to see at-a-glance
Cons
- Might be too large for some
- Quite expensive
Apple Watch Nike+ Series 4 Deals
The Nike+ version of the Apple Watch Series 4 is functionally the same as the regular Series 4 – they even cost the same.
So, what do you get with the Nike+ models? The differences are mostly cosmetic: there are new minimalist Nike designed watch faces, and a choice of two different watch bands. One is a perforated soft silicone band, while the other, made of woven nylon, is known as the Sport Loop.
Both these bands are designed to remain comfortable over extended workout periods, and the nylon is also designed to reflect light – helpful if you're out running at night.
Specs:
- All specs identical to the Series 4, above
Pros:
- Different band choices
- Unique Nike+ watch face available
- Reflective nylon band helpful when exercising outdoors
Cons:
- No functional difference between this and regular Series 4
- Less suited for wearing in professional environments due to sports-focused look
Apple Watch Series 3 Deals
One of the Apple Watch Series 4's big drawbacks is its price tag. It starts at $379, which is hard to call affordable. And this leads us to the Apple Watch Series 3 — which starts at $199 for the non-celluar models.
The Series 3 offers many of the same features as the Series 4, and is even able to run the same WatchOS 5 operating system. It doesn't get the edge-to-edge screen offered by the Series 4, but the OLED display is still sharp and bright.
So, is it a viable cut-price alternative to the Series 4? We think it might be.
Key Specs
- Dimensions (HxWxD mm): 38.6×33.3×11.4
- Weight (g): 26.7 (GPS), 28.7 (GPS + Cellular)
- Case options: Silver, Space Gray
- Display size (mm2): 563
Pros
- Cheaper than Watch Series 4
- Same 18-hour battery life as Watch Series 4
- Water resistant to 50m
Cons
- Fewer color choices
- Smaller screens make it harder to see information at-a-glance
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart-rate monitor all lower quality than Watch Series 4
Key Specs
- Dimensions (HxWxD mm): 42.5×36.4×11.4
- Weight (g): 32.3 (GPS), 34.9 (GPS + Cellular)
- Case options: Silver, Space Gray
- Display size (mm2): 740
Pros
- Even cheaper than Watch Series 4
- Bigger display makes apps and notifications more readable
- Minor design change between the Series 3 and 4 means that no one will be able to tell the difference
Cons
- Only supports up to Bluetooth 4.2; Watch Series 4 supports Bluetooth 5
- Slower processor
Find more Black Friday deals on Tech.Co
- Don't fancy an Apple Watch? Take a look at the Best Fitbit Black Friday Deals
Just want to understand this Black Friday madness? Read our Black Friday Survival Guide
Tech.co is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Tech.co to provide free advice and reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews.