Amazon’s October Prime event seldom fails to yield some of the year’s best Apple discounts, especially on previous‑gen iPads, Macs, and wearables that only recently received successors.
Apple itself discounts only rarely, so the steepest cuts come from retailers and carriers that want to price‑match pronto. Below are my 24 favorite Apple deals to watch — and why they matter — all supported by pricing histories, real‑world use, and the latest trends from top trackers.
My 24 favorite Apple deals to shop this October
- iPhone 17 Pro carrier promos — The best deals are usually bill credits with qualifying trade‑ins, frequently dropping monthly payments close to $0 on big carriers; make sure you’re clear on line requirements and installment details.
- MacBook Air 13‑inch — We’re already seeing the favorite M‑series Air fall to about $799 (aka, $200 off), a time‑and‑again sweet spot for students or travelers looking for premium battery without paying Pro tax.
- iPad 11‑inch — A budget tablet in the ballpark of $299 (about $50 off) is good for watching videos, taking notes, and making FaceTime calls; spring for 128GB if you save your photos or games to a device.
- Apple Watch Series 10 — Price drops to around $329 (about $70 off) make these competitive if you want the current health sensors, a brighter display, and fast charging for daily fitness data.
- AirPods 4 — Entry AirPods falling to around $116 (roughly $13 off) are an attractive swap if you’re switching from wired earbuds and like the idea of easy iPhone pairing with a solid mic for phone calls.
- AirPods Max — At around $500 (close to $49 off), it remains a rare deal on Apple’s luxury over‑ears; they’re still in demand for spatial audio and comfort, but pros may wiggle into wired studio cans for their latency‑critical chores.
- Mac mini — Look for something around $499 (close to $100 off) on base configurations; hook it up to one of the monitors you may already have to bring a quiet, low‑power desktop into your home for Lightroom, Xcode, or living‑room Plex serving.
- iPad mini — Trending around $399 (about $100 off), the mini is still the very best one‑hand tablet for pilots, readers, and note‑takers who prioritize portability over screen real estate.
- MacBook Pro 16‑inch — It’s an even bigger design with greater thermals and the same mini‑LED display, at $2,249 (around $250 off) for editors and developers who require sustained performance.
- MacBook Air 15‑inch — At about $999 (approximately $200 off), it combines the Air’s power with a bigger screen; a sensible choice for spreadsheets and timelines without that Pro heft.
- iPad Pro — Cuts to around $898 (about $101 off) can push Apple’s top tablet toward midrange; get Pencil and a keyboard if you sketch, annotate, or edit on the go.
- iPad Air — At around $449 (approximately $150 off), it’s still the value leader for students, creators, and others who would like a fast chip and laminated display without paying Pro prices.
- Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) — Dropping to around $189 (about $60 off), it keeps things pretty stripped down with the fitness tracking, crash detection, and Apple Pay features that, spoiler alert, are all most entry‑level buyers actually want.
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 — At approximately $719 (about $80 off), it’s a very good time to nab Apple’s adventure watch with the brightest screen, longer battery life, and better materials.
- AirTags (4‑pack) — Bundles near $75 (about $24 off). A travel hack to track luggage, keys, and bikes, but remember to share the tags with family in the Find My app.
- AirPods Pro 2 — The repeat price around $199 (about $50 off) is a no‑brainer for class‑leading ANC, transparency mode, and USB‑C convenience.
- Apple Pencil Pro — Dips to around $99 (about $30 off) will suit students, illustrators, and PDF annotators; pressure and tilt feel natural for artists, and the magnetic charging makes desk life easier.
- Apple TV 4K — Usually gets double‑digit percentage cuts during fall sales; smooth, fast streaming with tight integration of HomeKit and Fitness+.
- MagSafe Charger — Typically discounted well below its retail price during October: faster, fuss‑free bedside charging that saves your ports and pairs beautifully with a stand.
- 20W USB‑C Power Adapter — Small but powerful, and discounts stack when you buy more than one; this is the go‑to spare for travel to keep phones and AirPods juiced.
- HomePod mini — Modest price cuts appear in various colorways; still a good Siri hub for smart homes and much better than tinny laptop speakers on a desk.
- Magic Keyboard for iPad — Price cuts can be deep on prior‑gen models; it’s the accessory that turns an iPad into a serious writing machine with excellent key feel.
- Beats Fit Pro — Apple‑owned audio often gets steeper percentages than AirPods; secure wing‑tips and solid ANC mean they’re a gym fave with that H‑series magic.
- MacBook Pro 14‑inch — The previous‑gen configurations are usually where the discounts go deepest, putting it in that sweet spot for creators craving Pro power but seeking a lighter chassis.
The logic behind these Apple deals and price trends
Historical tracking from price analysts suggests that, once new hardware ships, Apple discounts focus on the base storage and previous‑generation models. Adobe’s retail research has consistently found that there are double‑digit discounts on electronics within striking distance of Black Friday lows, such as headphones and tablets. Price‑history tools also mean it’s a good bet we’ll see AirPods Pro 2 at around $199 during major sales, if not lower, which again reinforces the value of biding your time for these windows.
Pro tips to shop smarter during October Prime deals
Verify the exact model year and chip before you buy — similar‑sounding SKUs can vary widely in terms of design and screen tech. iPhones — Great carrier promos can be had for iPhones, but they rely on eligible trade‑ins, unlimited plans, and 24–36‑month commitments; figure out total cost of ownership. For Macs and iPads, you want to pick storage up front since these are not upgrades that go on sale often (or can be added later). Consider seller ratings, confirm “new” versus “renewed,” and make use of gift‑receipt options if you are buying early for the holidays.
Finally, check how your target price stacks up against established lows from previous events. If a deal is at or near an all‑time nadir price, it’s generally safe to buy now; otherwise, set an alert price and await back‑again lightning deals over the event window.