Best Apple Watch Deals December 2024: Save big on a new Apple Watch
Massive Apple Watch savings.
iPhones are great — but they're even better when paired with an Apple Watch. You can track your health more easily, check the time without popping your phone out, and get notifications on your wrist so you can decide if its worth sending a reply. They aren't, however, cheap devices, so you'll want to find the best deal you possibly can.
There are plenty of sales out there in Apple Watches that will save you some money on a new Apple Watch, with reductions on everything from the budget-oriented Apple Watch SE all the way to the super-premium Apple Watch Ultra 2. We've done all the hard work for you as well, so that you don't have to search through every single retailer out there to find the best deals for you.
If you're looking for an Apple Watch and don't want to pay full price, then you're in the right place: Without any further ado, here are the best Apple Watch deals around, and where you can find them.
Today's Apple Watch sales
- Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) - $274 at Amazon
- Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) - $429 at Amazon
- Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS) - $199 at Amazon
- Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS + Cellular) - $249 at Amazon
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 - $779 at Amazon
Best Apple Watch sales
Apple Watch SE 2 | $199 $189 at Amazon
The Apple Watch SE has seen some upgrades over the previous model, including a new brighter screen and improved battery life. There's also a 'Low Power Mode feature which should help your battery last even longer. If you're looking for Apple Watch deals, this is a great place to start.
Apple Watch Series 9 | $399 $329 at Amazon
The latest Apple Watch features some big updates over the previous model, not least of which is the new temperature sensor. That'll help with improved cycle tracking, as well as better heart monitoring.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $779 at Amazon
This is the biggest and newest in the Apple Watch family, featuring a massive 49mm screen, titanium case, and new strap design. It'll last you 36 hours on one charge and measure extra parts of your health over its cheaper siblings. This has now been slightly lower, but $20 is still a decent saving.
Apple Watch SE | $249 $189 at Amazon
The Apple Watch SE was released in the same vein as the iPhone SE - the perfect, slightly lower-cost entry point for those new to the Apple ecosystem. That doesn't mean it's not loaded with features - far from it. It's got a choice between a 40mm or slightly bigger 44mm Retina display that's bright no matter what conditions it's viewed in, along with a multitude of fitness sensors on the bottom.
Apple Watch strap and accessories sales
Part of the fun of the Apple Watch is that you can switch out the strap with an incredible range of colors, materials, and patterns. You don't even have to stick with Apple if you want to spend a little less, there are plenty of third parties that make some solid strap options. It's also a good idea to pick up a screen protector - it's a screen on your wrist that is sure to see some contact with table corners or desktops. Here are some great options that we've found at great prices on Amazon. Want to look at more Apple Watch Straps? Here are some of the best Apple Watch Straps.
EPULY stainless steel strap | $16 at Amazon
This is a classy addition to any Apple Watch - it's a segmented stainless steel watch band reminiscent of classic analog watches. It comes in a range of colors and sizes, so there's something for every Apple Watch owner.
Misxi case with tempered glass screen protector | $11 at Amazon
This will protect not only the screen of the Apple Watch but also the sides of the device as well. Be sure to check this is for the same model as your own Apple Watch as it's for older releases and not the Watch 7.
Smiling built-in tempered glass screen protector | $7 at Amazon
This one is almost the same as the prior option, but this time it's for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watches. You also get two in the box, so if one breaks, you're still good to go!
Which is the Apple Watch for me?
There aren't as many Apple Watch frames to choose from as there are other Apple product ranges. That being said, there are enough to choose from that it might leave you scratching your head as to which one is the one to go for.
Before, the Apple Watch Series 3 was the absolute cheapest way to get a new Apple Watch on your wrist. Now that Apple has stopped production of the Series 3, things can get a little more expensive. That particular Watch is also no longer going to be supported by new versions of WatchOS either, so you'll be a little stuck if you go grab a refurbished model too - instead, look to refurbished models no older than the Series 5. That can save you money if you're looking for something a little cheaper, but it won't be one of the newer models. If you really want an Apple Watch that came out this year then you're much better off looking at the Apple Watch SE.
For those who want to spend a little more but not over $300, the Apple Watch SE is a very good choice. The Retina display on the front has slightly screen options in 40mm and 44mm, and the heart sensor has been upgraded. The digital crown on the side has been upgraded with haptic feedback, and the S8 processor is that bit more powerful for a smoother experience using the watch. There's also a compass on board, along with fall detection that has saved people's lives. These extra features really do justify the extra in the price, and it looks like it'll see continued software support for some time to come.
The Series 9 is the middle-of-the-road Apple Watch, bringing all the features you want without going up to nearly a thousand dollars like the Apple Watch Ultra. There's the S9 SiP in the middle keeping the whole thing feeling slick and quick, and the two size options make it easier to work out which is better for your wrist. Those size options are different to the Apple Watch SE — this time, there's a 41mm and a 45mm. There are improvements to the battery as well, along with a larger array of sensors.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the top-of-the-line Apple Watch, with a larger 49mm OLED display and a titanium build. It's got all the same sensors as the Series 9, but it has a more accurate heart rate monitor, and far more battery life. Is it worth the extra $400? That's up to you, buy as a team of mostly Apple Watch Ultra users, we'd say yes.
GPS or cellular?
If you want a more detailed comparison of whether you should go with a GPS Apple Watch or a cellular Apple Watch, check out our Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS article.
In short, a GPS Apple Watch has to be tethered to your phone to be able to use all the functions. It uses the cellular connections on your phone to make and receive calls and send messages. You can go phone-free if you're just going for a run and want to listen to music - there's some internal storage on board that you can pop some music on and Bluetooth for wireless headphones. You won't be able to do much else than listen to music and use the fitness sensors, however, so if you're called while you're out sans phone, you'll miss the call.
Cellular will let you use your Apple Watch if you've left your phone at home. While you'll receive the same messages and calls as your phone, it essentially acts as another number on its own. As it contains more guts, it also comes at a price premium - often $100 more than the GPS variant. You'll also get slightly less battery life with a cellular model, so take that into consideration when choosing your Apple Watch.
You're also going to need a cell plan to go with the cellular Apple Watch, so you'll be paying every month for the privilege of using your watch without your phone. If you're after the cheapest Apple Watch, the GPS will not only cost you less upfront, but also nothing after the initial purchase - which may well help you make up your mind.
Apple Watch straps
You can change out the strap of the Apple Watch, no matter which Apple Watch model you buy. You'll have to make sure that the strap is made to fit your Apple Watch, but once you've found those you'll be golden. We love the best Apple Watch bands.
Where do I find Apple Watch deals?
The best place to find Apple Watch deals is Amazon. In most cases, Amazon has the best prices on Apple Watches that can stick around for a while. Other retailers sometimes match Amazon's prices, but for the most part, the likes of B&H Photo, Walmart, and Best Buy don't tend to undercut Amazon's prices.
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As iMore's Senior Staff writer, Tammy uses her background in audio and Masters in screenwriting to pen engaging product reviews and informative buying guides. The resident audiophile (or audio weirdo), she's got an eye for detail and a love of top-quality sound. Apple is her bread and butter, with attention on HomeKit and Apple iPhone and Mac hardware. You won't find her far away from a keyboard even outside of working at iMore – in her spare time, she spends her free time writing feature-length and TV screenplays. Also known to enjoy driving digital cars around virtual circuits, to varying degrees of success. Just don't ask her about AirPods Max - you probably won't like her answer.
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