Black Friday 2025 is already in full swing: retailers and Apple itself have kicked off major promotions across AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watch models, AirTags and more. Whether you’re buying a gift or upgrading your own kit, this year’s event is delivering some of the year’s lowest prices — including some all-time lows on earbuds and sensible discounts on Macs and iPads. Below I’ve collected the best categories, standout bargains, who to buy from, and smart buying tips so you can shop confidently. (All prices and savings referenced are from late-November 2025 deal roundups.) (Apple)
Quick highlights (fast scroll version)
- AirPods 4 — deep discounts, with some listings as much as 44% off (example price drops to around $80–$100 in some retailers). (Popular Mechanics)
- AirPods Pro / AirPods Max — significant markdowns across sellers, often $50–$120 off depending on model. (MacRumors)
- iPads — M-series iPad Pro and M-series iPad Air models showing double-digit discounts; M5 iPad Pro deals reported. (9to5Mac)
- MacBooks — M-series MacBook Pro and MacBook Air configurations have meaningful discounts (some near historic lows; reported 13-inch Air at a record low in early sales). (Country Living)
- Apple Watch — Watch SE/Series lineup on sale; Watch SE models showing steep percentage drops in some retailers. (Country Living)
- Apple Store promo — Apple’s official Black Friday / Shopping Event runs Nov 28–Dec 1, 2025 with gift card promos for qualifying purchases (gift card values vary by product). (Apple)
AirPods: where the biggest steals are hiding
Earbuds are consistently the most discounted Apple item during Black Friday and 2025 is no exception. Multiple outlets are advertising the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro models at record or near-record lows.
- AirPods 4 — multiple outlets listed big markdowns; roundups show some SKUs down as much as 44% off (example prices reported in the $80–$100 range on big retailers). If you want the latest small wireless buds with ANC options, check these listings first. (Popular Mechanics)
- AirPods Pro (2/3) and USB-C variants — good savings on both the Pro 2 (USB-C) and Pro 3; expect $50–$120 off depending on retailer and model. (Business Insider)
- AirPods Max — occasionally present with steep single-digit to triple-digit discounts (check Amazon/Walmart/Best Buy listings). (MacRumors)
Shop tips: Compare Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Apple’s own shopping event — Amazon/retailers may have the lowest outright price, while Apple’s event sometimes offers store gift cards or bundled service trials which add value. Double-check model (USB-C vs Lightning), warranty terms and return policy. (Apple)
iPad deals — buy for power or portability
iPads are a sweet spot this Black Friday: there are solid discounts across the line from iPad (base) to iPad Pro.
- iPad Pro (M5) — early Black Friday deals have resulted in notable discounts (M5 configurations showing price drops at major retailers). If you rely on iPad for pro work, there are real savings here. (9to5Mac)
- iPad Air / base iPad — look for mid-double-digit savings on current models and attractive trade-in options at Apple and large retailers. (Macworld)
Shop tips: If you need a specific storage/RAM configuration, buy from retailers that allow easy returns or from Apple directly (Apple often includes gift-card promotions during their shopping event, Nov 28–Dec 1, 2025). Retailer bundles (keyboard, Apple Pencil discounts) can make certain packages better value. (Apple)
MacBooks: real savings, but choose carefully
MacBook discounts aren’t usually as deep as earbuds, but this year we’re seeing some excellent reductions on M-series laptops — especially from retailers running early Black Friday sales.
- MacBook Air (13-inch) — some outlets reported record-low prices in early deals (example listings showing steep markdowns on select configurations). (Country Living)
- MacBook Pro (M-series) — Best Buy, Amazon and other retailers have cut prices on specific M-series configurations — check exact CPU/RAM/SSD combos since discounts vary widely by spec. (9to5Mac)
Shop tips: For laptops, confirm the exact chip, RAM and storage. A small discount on a lower-spec model may be worse value than a slightly larger discount on a better spec. If you rely on AppleCare, watch whether the seller sells AppleCare or if you’ll need to buy it separately from Apple. (Best Buy)
Apple Watch & accessories
Smartwatch markdowns are showing across the board.
- Apple Watch SE / Series — the SE models in particular appear in many retailer deal lists with sizable percentage cuts; recently the SE 2 has been shown with large discounts and the SE 3 with smaller yet meaningful drops. (Country Living)
- AirTags, chargers and bands — expect multi-pack discounts on AirTags and bundles on chargers and watch bands. These often have the best per-unit savings. (Macworld)
Shop tips: If you buy a watch for fitness tracking, ensure you get the right size and case material, and check whether cellular models are included in the discount (cellular units are less likely to be deeply discounted).
Best places to check (and why)
- Amazon — frequently lowest prices on in-stock items, especially earbuds and accessories. Watch for lightning deals and coupon stacking. (MacRumors)
- Best Buy — big Black Friday landing pages for Apple products; strong for bundled deals and open-box savings. (Best Buy)
- Walmart & Target — competitive pricing on popular models and large-chain doorbuster style sales. (Tom’s Guide)
- Apple Store (official) — Nov 28–Dec 1 Shopping Event with gift card promos on qualifying purchases. Apple’s offer may not show the biggest headline price drop but gift cards and trade-in value can make the net cost competitive. (Apple)
- Deal roundups to watch — specialist sites (MacRumors, Tom’s Guide, T3, Engadget, Popular Mechanics) are tracking live price drops across retailers and often identify the exact SKU that’s lowest. (MacRumors)
How to decide which deal to take
- Identify the exact model you need (e.g., AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3; MacBook Air M2 vs M5) — don’t buy on impulse because the discount looks large.
- Compare final price after taxes and shipping — sometimes a slightly smaller discount from a retailer with free shipping and fast delivery is the better buy.
- Check return policy and warranty — Apple-authorized sellers vs marketplaces differ in returns and how AppleCare is supported.
- Use trade-ins or retailer gift cards — Apple’s store event gives gift cards on qualifying purchases; retailers may offer store credit or bundles that increase value. (Apple)
Real examples (reported deals to watch)
- AirPods 4 — reported markdowns showing up to 44% off in early promotions; some retailer listings around $80–$100 depending on stock. (Check Amazon/Walmart listings.) (Popular Mechanics)
- AirPods Pro (2nd Gen USB-C) — examples show 44% off on some SKUs at time of reporting (watch the exact model name and connector). (Business Insider)
- 13-inch MacBook Air — early reports point to record-low prices on specific configurations (example roundup called out a $750 price on a 13-inch Air in early sales). (Country Living)
- M5 MacBook Pro & M5 iPad Pro — discounts reported across Amazon and major retailers, with some M5 configurations seeing a few hundred dollars off. (9to5Mac)
Safety and verification checklist before you buy
- Verify the exact SKU and compatibility (USB-C vs Lightning, cellular vs Wi-Fi iPad).
- Check seller reputation and return window (longer return periods during holidays are common). (Apple)
- Look for price history (was this price seen before?) — deal sites like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) and the tech outlets above often note “all-time low” calls. (MacRumors)
- Beware of looks-like discounts: sometimes bundles or add-ons inflate the retail price to make the discount look larger on paper. Always compare to the manufacturer’s MSRP and multiple retailers. (Macworld)
Final thoughts — who should buy now
- Buy now if: the exact model you want is at an all-time low or includes a bundle/gift card that creates exceptional value (e.g., AirPods 4 at ~44% off or a Mac configuration at a historic low). (Popular Mechanics)
- Wait if: you’re unsure about specs or need a specific custom config that isn’t discounted yet (retailer stock often cycles through waves during Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Keep an eye on Apple’s official Shopping Event (Nov 28–Dec 1, 2025) and retailer pages for later waves. (Apple)