If you’re a fan of Apple products, you know that they are well-designed and incredibly powerful devices. They can also be expensive.
I’ve bought several Apple products over the years, from iPhones to MacBooks and even a few iPods back in the day. Because I love the Apple ecosystem (yep, I’m an Apple fanboy), I used to pay a premium to be a part of Team Apple – but not anymore.
6 Ways To Pay Less for Apple Products
This article was updated in May 2023 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
These days I enjoy late-model iPhones, MacBooks and more for less — and you can too.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to save money on Apple products. To help us, we’ll get some great tips from Sarah Jordan of ClarkDeals.com.
“Buying used/refurbished is probably the best way to save on Apple products,” Sarah says.
Let’s get into some other ways to get Apple products for lower prices.
1. Get Apple’s Military Discount
Like many companies, Apple supports service members of America’s armed forces by offering a discount on its products and accessories.
On Apple.com, it says, “A 10% discount is available to current and Veteran members of the US Military, National Guard and Reserve. Immediate family members who reside in the same household are also eligible.”
To get the discount, you’ll need to verify your veteran or active military status with the identity verification website ID.me.
2. Use Apple’s Credit Card
If you have the Apple Card, you get unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you purchase from the company, from apps to iPhones, services like AppleTV+ and more.
Read up on whether the Apple Card is worth it.
3. Know Where To Shop
If you go to your local Apple store or Apple.com, you’ll pay top dollar for an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. Fortunately, you can find Apple products at most of the big retailers that sell electronics. Want to save? Catch the sales.
As a Costco member, I get emails with exclusive sales. I recently received some advertised deals on an Apple Watch and two iPad Airs, including one with 256GB storage for $649.99. That same model retails for $749 on Apple.com. That’s a $100 savings!
Sarah agrees that Costco is a place to look if you want to buy a MacBook.
“I think discounts on MacBooks are harder to find, but we see the best prices on new ones at Micro Center and Costco,” Sarah says. “Best Buy also offers student discounts in August, around the start of the new school year, with its student membership. They offered $200 off last year,” she says.
4. Buy at the Right Time
You also want to shop for Apple products at the right time of year.
Amazon Prime Day is a good time to catch discounts on AirPods, Sarah says. “Of course, we usually see the best deals on all electronics, especially AirPods and Apple Watches, around Black Friday,” she adds.
If you’re looking for Apple products for a lower price, remember to mark your calendar around these retail holidays:
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Amazon Prime Day
Another option is to time your purchase after an Apple event when the company debuts new products or product features.
“If you’re willing to let the people who just gotta have the newest phone right then and there get theirs and you wait three weeks, you’ll likely find deals that they didn’t get,” money expert Clark Howard says.
Apple events drum up interest for the newest models, but that usually means older models start to drop in price.
If you don’t mind buying an Apple product one or two generations behind, after an Apple event is often when you can save the most!
5. Buy Refurbished Items
Many electronics retailers sell refurbished Apple products including Walmart, Best Buy, eBay and Apple itself. Another place to look is Woot.com.
“Woot offers deals on refurbished iPhones and watches pretty frequently, but they’re daily deals so you have to keep an eye out for them,” Sarah says.
One place I’ve found success when it comes to buying used Apple products is Amazon Renewed. I’ve bought a couple of iPhones and a MacBook Pro, all certified refurbished in like-new condition.
Interested in buying refurbished items? Read our in-depth guide on how to save with Amazon Renewed.
6. Trade In Older Electronics
Another way you can get Apple products for less is to use the trade-in value of other items.
“I remember Clark talking a long time ago about how a certain carrier was offering a really good discount when you traded in your old iPhone,” Sarah says. “I think he purchased an iPhone from eBay and then traded it in at the store for a bigger discount on a new model.”
You don’t even have to Google to find Apple’s biggest trade-in deals. Apple.com has a Carrier Deals Page that shows you all the current trade-in specials offered by the major cell phone carriers.
Final Thoughts
Apple products are durable and beautifully designed, but they can put a hurtin’ on the wallet!
Check out your favorite retailer’s refurbished section to get some great deals on Apple products. If you’re buying from a third-party seller on sites such as Amazon.com, make sure you buy only from sellers with the highest ratings.
And if you do choose to buy refurbished, make sure your Apple product comes with a money-back warranty.
Want more ways to save on your device? Read our in-depth guide on how to buy a refurbished phone.
Article Updates
- May 12, 2023: Updated the screenshot of the Apple product image from Costco based on a newer ad from the wholesale store.
- June 1, 2023: Added the military discount and Apple Card, both based on a tip from a reader.
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