If you’re in the market for an iPhone, iPad or any other Apple device, you may find a good Black Friday deal if you stay away from the Apple Store, says DealNews.com.
Apple-authorized resellers have undercut Apple on Black Friday by as much as 13 percent, and this year will be no different, says the online retailer news site and Money Talks News partner.
The Apple Store on Black Friday 2013 bundled Apple Store gift cards ranging from $50 to $150 with select purchases; in 2014, it bundled iTunes gift cards ranging from $25 to $100, DealNews says.
But Target, for example, in 2014 bundled nearly every iPad with a minimum $100 Target gift card and even gave a $140 gift card with some newer models, while the Apple Store’s iPad gift cards topped out at $50, DealNews says.
Watch for the largest discounts to be offered on iPad minis, it says; the entry-level iPad mini 2 could drop to $199.
However the iPad mini 4 could see the most deals, bringing its Black Friday price down to $300, it says. That would compare with Target, Best Buy and Micro Center last year shaving $100 off the iPad mini 3.
DealNews also expects aggressive discounting on the iPad Air 2, whose list price dropped to $359 over the summer. The item did not get an Apple refresh during the fall, it says.
The iPad Pro will get little discount love, perhaps just a bundling with a $25 gift card, DealNews says.
If you’re after an iPhone 6s deal, you may have an easier time, depending on the carrier plan you choose to use it with.
Purchases subsidized by carriers could be as low as $99, DealNews predicts.
Not-so-substantial deals likely will be available for an unlocked iPhone 6s at just $9 off the full $649 list price, it expects. Some retailers may bundle the full-price phone with a generous gift card, DealNews says.
In select stores around Boston and San Francisco, Apple ran a two-week promotion knocking $50 off an Apple Watch when bought with an iPhone.
You may see retailers offer a 3 percent Black Friday discount on an Apple Watch when bundled with an iPhone, DealNews says, noting that retailers may just discount watch bands rather than the watch.
As Black Friday approaches, follow these tips to save top dollar:
- We’ll offer more information on specific stores for the best deals. So if you’re not already getting our updates, subscribe now.
- Remember when shopping online to always start with a rebate site. They can automatically earn you 3 to 15 percent. Our favorite is Ebates. Click the link, create a free account, get money back whenever you buy online.
- Meanwhile, Amazon is already rolling out its Black Friday deals on a daily basis. Click here to explore.
What’s your plan for shopping on and around Black Friday? Share with us in comments or on our Facebook page.
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