7 Apple Black Friday deals that deliver great savings on travel tech
Editor’s note: These prices were accurate as of Nov. 25 and will vary after that time.
The busy holiday shopping season is officially here.
As you begin to cross off gifts from your list, at least one family member or friend likely wants the latest Apple products. From AirPods to AirTags to Macs, there’s plenty of new tech at nearly every budget that’s sure to impress.
While you are shopping for everybody else, you might as well treat yourself to a big tech upgrade, whether it’s an Apple Watch or a newly refreshed iPad.
There are Black Friday savings to be had across nearly the entire Apple product lineup. Discounts apply to both previous- and current-generation cyber icons: MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods and more.
So far, we’ve found some great Apple deals from Amazon — here’s what we’ve unearthed.
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
Buy here for $80 (originally $99).
This year’s hottest travel accessory is, without a doubt, Apple’s AirTags. These coin-sized buttons help you track and find your most important items. With missing and delayed checked bags becoming a staple of the pandemic-era travel experience, it’s more important than ever to pop an AirTag into your checked bag.
You may even want to add one to your rollaboard, backpack and purse since you never know when you may end up gate-checking these items. As we’ve seen during this year’s travel meltdowns, pulling up your item’s current location without relying on an airline’s information is priceless. Here’s how you may be able to layer on some additional savings if you have an American Express credit card.
Related: Which is the best credit card for Apple purchases?
2022 MacBook Air
Buy here for $1,049 (originally $1,199).
Apple’s new MacBook Air is a traveler’s dream machine. The revamped thin-and-light design makes carrying this computer super easy, and the laptop packs some serious chops. Thanks to the new M2 chip, you will multitask without an issue while achieving impressive all-day battery life. I used the computer for 19 hours straight on the world’s longest flight and landed with about 86% left of charge. Other enhancements include a full-sized keyboard, an upgraded 13.6-inch display and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
Related: 6 reasons Apple’s new MacBook Air might be the ultimate travel laptop
2022 AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Buy here for $200 (originally $249).
These earbuds are definitely powerful enough to be most travelers’ go-to. I’ve been flying around with the new AirPods Pro for the past few weeks and have been especially impressed with the upgraded noise cancellation, which is now twice as powerful as before. The charging case has also been updated with better Find My support and a speaker, making it easier to locate the AirPods in your bag. Other upgrades include a more customizable fit and a battery boost. Plus, they’re selling for the lowest price in the last 30 days from Amazon, so be sure to snap them up while they’re in stock.
Related: After 10,000 miles, Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are my new go-to for travel
AirPods (2nd Generation)
Buy here for $80 (originally $159).
Though these long-stemmed AirPods don’t feature noise cancellation, they’re sure to be a hit thanks to the 50% discount. They pack a few new features over the original AirPods, including improved audio and a longer battery life. Convenient sensors allow you to pause and resume music by removing an earbud, while the “Hey Siri” feature now activates hands-free voice control. These may be entry-level AirPods, but they’re a great way to get into the AirPods ecosystem at an affordable price.
Related: 9 ways to save more at Amazon
2022 Apple iPad Air
Buy now for $559 (originally $599).
Apple’s mid-tier iPad received a big refresh earlier this year. It’s now powered by the ultra-fast M1 chip, which makes multitasking a breeze. The 12MP ultra-wide camera supports Apple’s proprietary Center Stage technology that shines in all your work-from-anywhere Zoom or Facetime calls. Plus, new upgrades such as 5G cellular connectivity and a USB-C port make this the iPad of choice for nearly everyone. You can even choose from five vibrant colors.
Apple Watch SE
Buy here for $229 (originally $249).
This is Apple’s newest and most affordable Watch, and with a $20 savings, it’s now at Amazon’s lowest price in the last 30 days. The SE model offers the core Apple Watch experience, including activity tracking, heart rate notifications and a fully connected experience to your iPhone. Plus, new safety features like Crash Detection will help you alert first responders if you happen to be involved in a car crash. With a redesigned case back, the Apple Watch SE perfectly matches the three classic case finishes — silver, starlight and midnight.
Apple gift card
Buy $100 or more and get $15 Amazon credit.
If you can’t make up your mind or you want to let the recipient choose their favorite Apple product, Amazon is offering a Black Friday promotional credit on Apple gift card purchases. When you purchase $100 or more in Apple gift cards, you’ll receive a $15 Amazon credit to use on a future purchase. This offer applies to physical and digital (email delivery) Apple gift cards, but you need to enter the code listed to get the discount.