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Best cheap Apple deals and sales for October 2021

Many of us remember Apple’s humble beginnings in the PC market (maybe you even had the pleasure of using one of those beige-colored Macintosh computers yourself), but today, this brand is more famous for its wide lineup of iconic mobile devices — which is not to say that the Mac family isn’t also still loved by many, ourselves included. Apple gadgets have always sat on the more expensive end of the price spectrum, though, but if you’re a fan, we don’t have to tell you that they’re worth the cost. But just because you appreciate great design doesn’t mean you don’t also know the value of a good bargain, and to help you find some, we’ve collected all of this week’s best Apple deals and sales right here.

If you’re looking for something in particular, check out our other roundups of iMac deals, Mac Mini deals, AirPods deals, Apple Watch deals, iPad deals, iPhone deals, and MacBook deals for even more savings.

Today’s Best Apple Deals

Released in late 2020, the new Apple M1 MacBook Air has better battery life and performance and is more secure than the older MacBook Air models with Intel processors. more
With noise cancellation, water resistance, and interchangeable eartips for a more comfortable fit, the AirPods Pro are the most advanced AirPods in Apple's stable -- a must-have for fitness fanatics. more
Plus $500 gift card for switching

Apple iPhone 13 (Verizon)

Up to $800 back with trade in
It doesn't re-invent the wheel, and you already know it doesn't have to. The iPhone 13 is Apple's latest flagship and if you're an iOS fan, it won't leave you disappointed. more
For all iPhone 13 models
Grasbbed a new iPhone 13? Trick it out with some must-have accessories and save some cash when you bundle them together. more
You can do more with this lightweight iPad Air. Upgrade the way you take down notes and edit presentations for your meetings. Catching up through FaceTime is even better with its 7MP front camera. more
Effortlessly juice up your iPhone and AirPods (with a wireless charging case) with the official MagSafe charging pad from Apple. Compatible with the iPhone 8 and later models. more
With their exquisite build quality and super sound, the new AirPods Max over-ear wireless headphones are made for true audiophiles (and true Apple fans). more
The new iMac is here, sporting a super-sleek slimmed-down design along with Apple's amazing new M1 CPU. more
With a physical keyboard and built-in touchpad, the Logitech Slim Folio lets your 7th- or 8th-gen 10.2-inch iPad do almost everything a laptop can. more
A must-have for artists and other creatives, this new 2nd-gen Apple Pencil is the perfect way to turn your iPad into a notebook, journal, or drawing pad. more
Full discount at checkout
Apple's new M1 chip is a powerhouse that gives the top chips from AMD and Intel a run for their money, and it's now available on the pint-sized Mac Mini desktop computer. more
Free AirPods

MacBook Air and MacBook Pro - Education Pricing

Exclusive discounts for students & teachers
Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address can enjoy exclusive pricing on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro directly from the Apple Store. more
Multiple colors
The Apple Watch Series 6 is arguably the most advanced smartwatch to date, capable of making anyone's life loaded to the brim with the most convenient features that rival phones thrice its price. more
Experience the world on your wrist with the Apple Watch Series 6, with GPS for on- and off-road excursions. Boasting incredible health monitoring features, this is a must-have. more
APPLE REFURBISHED
The MacBook Air wrote the book on featherweight laptops, and this is the best price we've seen on the late 2020 model with an M1 CPU if you're willing to buy refurbished. Looks and works like new. more
The Mac Mini is a great workstation with a small footprint, boasting Apple's incredibly efficient new M1 CPU along with boosted storage for all your projects. more
Released in March 2019, the Apple AirPods 2 come with improved battery life, the ability to launch Siri using your voice, and a Wireless Charging Case. A minor but worthwhile refinement nonetheless. more
Packing the latest M1 CPU, this 13-inch MacBook Pro is an incredibly capable machine that will handle your work and daily needs for years to come. more
Other colors on sale
Don't leave your pricey tech unprotected. If your iPhone 11 Pro Max needs a case, this great-looking leather minimalist number from Apple is hard to beat -- especially at this price. more
LATEST MODEL
Deals are scarce, but considering that the 4th-gen iPad Air has a faster CPU than the Pro, it's a good value even at its regular price. You can grab this one for the same price as the 256GB model. more
Save $150 on Apple Watch with iPhone purchase. Online only.
You can't beat a classic -- especially when it's free. New or current Verizon customers who sign up for an unlimited plan can score the 2020 iPhone SE for no charge. more
Launched in 2016, the AirPods aren’t old hat by any means, offering near enough all the same features as the AirPods 2 -- with the main difference being they last for half the time on a single charge. more
WIRELESS MOUSE FOR MAC
Using a Mac? You need the Magic Mouse 2. Built with Mac in mind (duh!), it's overflowing with useful shortcuts. Need to zoom? Tap twice. Access another desktop? Swipe left or right. The list goes on. more
Start your healthy journey with the Apple Watch Series 6 by tracking your sleep and workouts. Keep in mind to stay connected with your family or friends with its cellular feature. more
Need a quick run? The Apple Watch Series 6 delivers 2-in-1 connection in just one device. Start your day by tracking everything you need from personal health to work-related essentials. more
Other colors on sale
If a stylish, high-quality leather case is what your iPhone 11 Pro needs, this is the one. It feels great in the hand and offers adequate protection against daily life's bumps and scrapes. more
AMAZON RENEWED
Get the AirPods Pro you want but save some money with these renewed earbuds. These pre-owned earbuds have been tested and cleaned by Amazon suppliers. more
Stream all your favorite content from your Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, and other libraries in crisp 4K Ultra HD. The included remote even features hands-free Siri voice controls. more
Want to start your health journey? Get the Apple Watch 5 with GPS to track and monitor you basic concerns. With its 18-hour battery life, it is enough for you to view your all-day statistics. more
Turn your iPad Air or 11-inch iPad Pro into a 2-in-1 laptop with this new 4th-gen Magic Keyboard for iPad, complete with touchpad and USB-C port more
The display in Apple Watch 5 in 44mm is convenient enough for you to see the alerts of your health journey. Whether you are shopping or working, stay connected with its cellular feature in just a tap. more
With the Apple Watch 5, you can monitor your heart rate easily and it lets you warn your hearing whenever you are in a noisy environment. In addition, it also features music to boost your workout. more
The gorgeous new MacBook Pro boasts Apple's new M1 CPU, a brilliant retina display, Touch ID for added security, and the productivity-boosting Touch Bar. more
The Apple Pencil stylus is a great addition to your iPad and a must-have accessory for artists and graphic designers. more
Keep your iPhone 11 Pro juiced on the go with this official Apple battery case, which features wireless charging for even more convenience. more
BUILT-IN NUMERIC KEYPAD
Work from a MacBook or iMac? Get Apple's trademark typing experience with a dedicated Numeric Keypad thrown in. Perfect for anyone who lives and breathes Microsoft Excel. more
This is the most affordable Apple Watch you can buy, and yet it still offers all the essentials you need, including a heart rate sensor, swim-proof design, and a high-res Retina touchscreen. more

Our Favorite Apple Products

Apple Watch Series 6

Close up of a man showing off the Apple Watch Series 6 on his wrist
Apple

Smartwatches never became the next smartphones, but the Apple Watch is the one smartwatch that has managed to enjoy widespread popularity. Apple updated its WatchOS-powered smart wearable last year, releasing the excellent — and pricey — new Apple Watch Series 6. The Apple Watch Series 6 refined everything we loved about previous models, bringing the design to near perfection with great software, a vibrant always-on display, and an excellent set of health and fitness-tracking features.

We’ve also seen some fantastic discounts in the wake of the Series 6 release that bring it closer in price (or even cheaper than) the now-discontinued Series 5, making now a particularly perfect time to buy one if you’ve been on the fence and waiting for a deal. With the Apple Watch Series 7 launching, we can expect even better deals on the Series 6 soon.

Apple 10.2-Inch iPad (8th Generation)

iPad (2020) 8th generation

Apple just announced the new 9th-gen iPad 10.2, and aside from incremental hardware changes, the 2021 model isn’t really re-inventing the wheel. Yet given how good these tablets are and the value they provide, that’s just fine with us, and there’s never really a bad time to score the new 10.2-inch iPad at a discount as retailers offer them on sale pretty much year-round.

When it was first on the market, our review team named the 7th-gen 10.2-inch iPad the best tablet for most people thanks to its superb touchscreen, solid performance, and great overall design and build quality. That hasn’t changed with the new 8th-gen refresh, which is now the one we recommend you buy. It’s an even easier sell given how affordable it is relative to other much pricier Apple devices like the iPad Pro line.

Apple iPhone 13

New iPhone 13 Colors: Starlight, Blue, & Pink.

The iPhone 13 series is Apple’s recently announced flagship smartphone line, and with it, Apple built upon its three-phone release strategy by rolling out four new devices: the iPhone 13, the pocket-friendly iPhone 13 Mini, the higher-end iPhone 13 Pro, and the up-sized iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini are the more affordable models (the iPhone 13 Mini retails for just $699, in contrast to the $1,099 sticker price for the 12 Pro Max), and they’re both winners.

The biggest improvement in the iPhone 13 is the camera. It will have improved light sensitivity for better low-light photos and videos. The Pro and Pro Max have whole new cameras, with Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto abilities. The upgrade to iOS 15 improves the photo apps, allowing for cool new settings like Cinematic Mode.

Apple MacBook Air (Late 2020 Model with M1 CPU)

Macbook Air M1
Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

With modern laptops getting slimmer and slimmer, the MacBook Air is almost redundant now, but it still does its thing very well. That should come as no shock considering that Apple wrote the book in super-slim laptops with the MacBook Air, and its late 2020 model makes for a fantastic featherweight work machine now that it comes loaded with Apple’s superb new M1 CPU.

On the latest MacBook Air, that M1 chip is paired with 8GB RAM (perfectly respectable hardware for work, browsing, and streaming) along with a 128GB solid state drive. One thing we didn’t like about the Intel Core MacBook Air was its launch price, but the addition of that M1 CPU make it much more attractive and it’s still the cheapest entry point into the MacBook ecosystem — especially if you can find a good deal.

Apple iPad Pro (5th Generation with M1 CPU)

iPad Pro running iPadOS 15, with the Digital Trends homepage on the screen, Apple Pencil to the right and keyboard to the left.

The Mac computers aren’t the only devices to get the M1 upgrade: In May of 2021, Apple brought its new chipset to the iPad Pro tablets as well. The Pro has always been the most powerful tablet in the iPad lineup (and one you can easily use as a 2-in-1 laptop when paired with a good keyboard case), but the M1 CPU really takes things up a notch. As with the previous 4th-gen model, the 5th-gen iPad Pro comes with one of two display sizes — 11 inches and 12.9-inches — with the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display boasting mini-LED technology.

Along with the M1 CPU, the 2021 iPad Pro got 5G connectivity, a memory boost (8GB to 16GB from 6GB), and Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 connectivity. The 12.9-inch model saw a $100 MSRP increase to $1,100 as well, likely due to the enhanced Liquid Retina display. The 11-inch Pro still carries its retail price tag of $799. As the top tablet in the stable, the 5th-gen iPad Pro is naturally the most expensive, but this is also where you’ll find some of the juiciest Apple deals when they’re available.

Apple AirPods

Apple made a lot of waves when the company started removing the 3.5mm wired headphone jack from its devices, but more than made up for it by releasing the AirPods — and kicking off the true wireless earbud revolution in the process. The Apple AirPods may not be the absolute “best” wireless earbuds on the market, but they’re still hot for a reason, and if you’re an Apple fan (meaning you probably use an iPhone and/or an iPad), they’re the earbuds for you.

They’ve also been out for a couple years now (they were most recently refreshed with the second-gen AirPods being released in 2019), so Apple deals on these popular earbuds always abound. You can get them with the wired charging case or a wireless charging case for a $40 upgrade, with retail pricing sitting at $160 and $200, respectively. However, regular discounts and sales give shoppers frequent chances to score them for around $30-$50 off, so hold out for a bargain — and you shouldn’t have to wait very long.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.

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