November 12, 2018
6:00 am
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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 – even on its newest Apple Watch Series 4. 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 23. 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.
In This Guide:
Apple Watch Series 4 Deals
The Apple Watch Series 4 is Apple's latest and greatest smartwatch, building on the success of the Series 3 model with improved components and an almost complete redesign.
It has a big, bright OLED screen with an almost bezel-less design. It offers up to 18 hours of battery life, and has a range of updated features from the Series 3. These include an improved accelerometer and gyroscope 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 Apple Watch Series 4 is thinner and more compact that many of its rivals, and is nearly a whole millimeter thinner than the Series 3, at just 10.7mm thin. All told, it's probably the best smartwatch on the market right now.
There's precious little to choose between the 40 and 44mm versions, aside from the larger screen on the 44mm version making it easier to use certain apps and take in information quickly.
Apple Watch Series 4 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): 30.1
- Case options:
- Stainless steel — Silver, Space Black, Gold
- Aluminum — Silver, Space Gray, Gold
- Display size (mm2): 759
Pros
- Works brilliantly with iPhones
- Tracks loads of different sports, including indoor running, yoga, and open water swimming
- Cellular connection means it works without iPhone
- Option to install loads of third-party sports-tracking apps
Cons
- Isn't compatible with Android phone
- Quite expensive
Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cellular (44mm) Deals
From $22.08/mo on Verizon (plus $10 off first month) – Click For Deals
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.
Apple Watch Nike+ Series 4 Deals
From $20.83/mo on Verizon (plus $10 off first month) – Click For Deals
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 $399, which is hard to call affordable. And this leads us to the Apple Watch Series 3.
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.
Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm) Deals
From $15.83/mo on Verizon (plus $10 off first month) – Click For Deals
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
- Uses up-to-date WatchOS 5 operating system
- 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
Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular (42mm) Deals
From $17.08/mo on Verizon (plus $10 off first month) – Click For Deals
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
- 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
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Tom Fogden
Tom Fogden is a writer for Tech.co with a range of experience in the world of tech publishing. Tom covers everything from cybersecurity, to social media and website builders when he's not reviewing the latest phones, gadgets, or occasionally even technology books.