The Best (and Worst) Times To Shop for Apple Products

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If you’re in the market for a new Mac, iPad or iPhone, timing matters. Apple’s release cycles and promotional events can have a big impact, and not just on the price.

You don’t want to buy an expensive new device, only to have a new, more powerful machine come out just a month or two later.

Apple typically updates their product lineup a few times a year, usually coinciding with major events like the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, or the keynote presentations in September and October.

But when are the new products are released, and when should you spend your hard-earned money on these electronics?

When Should You Buy a New Mac?

Apple’s Mac lineup currently includes six product categories: the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. 

The best time to buy a Mac is immediately after a product refresh. This way you’re getting the latest technology that will remain relevant for longer. New models are released on a fairly steady release schedule. 

The most popular models, the MacBook Air and Pro, get major updates roughly once a year, typically around October or November. They have been known to come in March and April as well, though if a new model wasn’t released in the fall, then you can count on it coming in the spring.

The iMac and Mac Mini get updates roughly once every two years. The Mac Pro has no regular release schedule — new models become available according to Apple’s own logic. The Mac Studio is a relatively new product for Apple, so it’s also hard to predict any regular schedule for it.

If you’re considering a Mac, the worst time to buy is in the months leading up to a potential update. For example, purchasing a MacBook Pro in August wouldn’t be smart, since Apple will probably release a new model in October. 

Apple’s annual back-to-school promotion often gives discounts for students, educators and school staff. They might also give free accessories like AirPods or gift cards with the purchase of a Mac.

When Should You Buy a New iPad?

New iPads are usually announced in the fall, in September or October.

The tablet lineup’s release schedule isn’t as rigid as the iPhone’s. They are sometimes released in March ore even June. And not every model is refreshed every year; the bestselling iPad and iPad Air always get new models, but the iPad Mini has the most sporadic schedule, followed by the iPad pro. 

The iPad and iPad Air are similar to the Macbooks on this. If there wasn’t a new model in the fall, then chances are it’s coming in spring.

Apple usually includes the iPad in their back-to-school deals, too, with similar deals to the Mac.

When Should You Buy a New iPhone?

The iPhone is Apple’s flagship product, and its release schedule is extremely predictable. Apple always announces new iPhones every September, and then models typically hit stores later that month or in early October.

That means late summer is one of the worst times to buy an iPhone. You’d be paying full price for a phone that will be outdated soon.

If you want the best and newest iPhone possible, then the best time to buy is either in September or October, as soon as new models are launched. If you don’t care about getting the latest and greatest, then wait a month or so until last-year’s model drops in price.

Getting a previous-generation iPhone after the new one launches can be a good way to save a little money.

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