Apple just announced their latest Apple Watch models: the Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. And if you’ve been waiting for a great deal to come along before buying an Apple Watch, now is a great time to get one. Retailers like Amazon and service carriers like T-Mobile are offering discounts on new and certified refurbished Series 7, Series 6, and SE Apple Watches.
If you’re ready to upgrade or buy your first Apple Watch, and don’t mind not having the latest model, you can keep reading below to see our list of the best Apple Watch deals. But you’ll have to act fast; we can’t guarantee that these deals will last very long.
- Current Price: $329
- Original Price: $429
The Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger display than previous models that actually curves around the edges. This extra screen real estate allows for a new on-screen swipe keyboard and a series of watch faces designed to take advantage of the additional space. ZDNET’s Jason Cipriani praised the “large, vibrant display” and faster charging offered by this generation.
- Current Price: $229.98
- Original Price: $329
Like its sibling, the Apple Watch Series 7 with GPS and cellular can track your sleep, fitness habits and goals, and more. With this Watch, you’ll also get cellular service. So if you leave your cell at home, you can still take calls, listen to your music, and more.
- Current Price: $359.99
- Original Price: $179.99
The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s mid-range model. Although it was designed to be a budget-friendly alternative to the numbered Series releases, the SE’s continued popularity as the cheapest option has seen the SE positioned as something of a happy medium between modern features and lowered pricing.
- Current Price: $239
- Original Price: $429
Don’t let the word “renewed” scare you off. Buying a certified renewed Apple Watch Series 6 from Amazon is a great way to save a ton of cash on new-to-you electronics, especially if you don’t mind not having the latest and greatest tech. The Apple Watch Series 6 is similar to its big brother, the Series 7, with a built-in ECG to monitor your heart rate and health as well, as compatibility with thousands of workout, social media, and music apps.
This particular model from Amazon Renewed is listed as in “excellent” condition. This means that it won’t be scratched or dinged up, and it will have similar battery life and display quality to brand-new models.
The defining upgrade of the Series 7 is its new, larger display that actually spills over the curved edges of the Apple Watch’s glass. It is also the only one of the three that offers an always-on display, with both the SE and Series 3 requiring you to lift your wrist to use the display.
The Series 7 also supports blood oxygen measurements and ECGs, whereas both of the others are limited to standard heart rate tracking.
The main variables the SE maintains over the Series 3, meanwhile, include the SE’s optional LTE support, the addition of fall detection on the SE, and support for Apple’s Family Setup feature, which allows families to share app and platform access across supported devices.
Battery life for all three devices is identical at 18 hours.
This depends entirely on a few factors.
First, are you the kind of person that has your iPhone on you at all times? If so, the usefulness of an LTE model is questionable, and probably something you can skip.
Second, do you enjoy running, biking, or doing other outdoor activities? If you do, an LTE-enabled Apple Watch can be a great way to make sure you stay connected in case of an emergency, without having to endanger your iPhone or have the extra weight on you during your athletic pursuits.
Lastly, are you willing to pay for a separate LTE connection on a monthly basis? Some potential buyers don’t realize that carriers require a separate subscription for LTE support. While this is usually only around $10 to $15, depending on the provider, it is an added expense that will significantly raise the total cost of ownership over the lifetime of an Apple Watch.
Aside from the standard silicone Sport Band that’s been included with the Apple Watch since its debut, most other bands add a significant amount to the cost of the device. Options are available ranging from the no-clasp silicone and Braided Solo Loops ($50 to $100), to designer options in leather and steel that can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the device.
If you’re looking to save some cash on your Apple Watch, we’d recommend buying one of the widely-available options with a Sport Loop band and upgrading to a band of your choice after purchase. Many third-party manufacturers are now making bands that fit the Apple Watch. And even if they don’t, it’s easy to acquire a third-party adapter that will match your Apple Watch’s case while allowing it to accept traditional watch bands as well. This not only opens up your Apple Watch to a much wider selection of looks but also provides access to far cheaper alternatives that are nearly identical to Apple’s offerings.
Whether you opt for one of Apple’s first-party offerings or a third-party band or adapter, it is vital that you ensure you’re choosing one designed for your specific case size. The Apple Watch has diverged by the better part of a centimeter in size over the course of its generations, and an incorrectly sized band will either look completely out of place or simply not fit at all. Also, make sure what you choose is of good quality. Losing a $400+ smartwatch because you wanted to save an extra $10 on a cheaper band isn’t going to make you happy in the long run.
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