10 Apple Products Retirees Should Splurge On, Settle For or Skip

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Apple makes amazing, and amazingly cool, products. But they’re not exactly known for their affordability. And if you’re a senior living on a fixed income, that means putting practical function over beautiful form.

So before you spend thousands on cool items you can’t take full advantage of, check out this list of 10 Apple items you might want to either splurge on, skip, or settle for.

Splurge: Apple AirPods Pro 2

Price: $249.00

This second-gen of the noise-canceling AirPods is great for seniors who struggle with hearing issues. They not only learn and adjust to your volume preferences in different environments, and have Conversation Awareness, they feature a hearing test and are a clinical-grade hearing aid.

Skip: iPhone 16 Pro Max

Price: starting at $1,749

Sure, it’s a little larger iPhone and has some advanced camera features that earlier models don’t, as well as a few more hours of video playback. But the majority of features are the same as the few versions before. So, if you have any better way to spend nearly two grand, do that.

Settle: iPad (10th Generation)

Price: from $349

If you want an iPad for reading, video calls, photo taking, watching videos, and light web browsing, save some cash and settle for this basic iPad. If you want to upgrade, go to the iPad Air (M2), from $599. But most casual iPad users don’t need the power and perks of the $999 and up iPad Pro.

Splurge: Apple Watch Series 10

Price: from $399

Ultrathin and with the largest screen of any Apple Watch yet, the Series 10 is easy on the eyes. Its advanced heart health tracking, sleep health, apnea, and fall detection, and emergency SOS alerts are comforting benefits for some seniors.

Splurge: Apple Fitness+

Price: $9.99 per month

If you have an Apple Watch, you might as well maximize its Apple Fitness+ health benefits. This service offers 12 different workout types, such as HIIT, yoga and more, as well as meditation routines. It also makes suggestions based on your age, fitness and goals.

Skip: Apple TV 4K

Price: from $129

If you’re not an extreme movie or Apple products buff, you might skip this, especially if you already own a smart TV or other streaming device, like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick, both cheaper than Apple TV 4K, although with admittedly fewer features.

Settle: HomePod Mini

Price: $99

If you want a powerful speaker with decent-to-good sound for music, but also use it for things like podcasts, news, and home automation, no need to splurge on the advanced features of the $299 Apple HomePod. Save the money and settle for one or two minis instead.

Splurge: iCloud+ Storage Plan

Price: $0.99 to $59.99 per month

If you’re a senior, you’ve got a lot of (hopefully great) memories. And they’re in the form of photos and documents. Digitizing them is the way to go, and for that, a lot of iCloud storage is needed. Likely, you won’t need the 12TB plan, but you might need more than the base $0.99 a month 50GB plan. But those memories are worth it.

Skip: Apple Pencil Pro

Price: $129

Unless you’re an artist or architect, the pricey Apple Pencil Pro is likely unnecessary. There are definitely some great features, such as automatic wireless attaching and charging, a softer feel and a more sensitive touch. But if you’re not a heavy user, stick to the $79 simpler model or just use your fingers.

Splurge: AirTag

Price: $29

For those born losers out there — no offense — these small, sleek tracking devices are life-changers. Slip them in your luggage, on your car keys, in your wallet, or in your car for those times you forget where you parked at the mall. Through an app on your smartphone, they lead you right to them. They’re a bit pricey, but if you buy them in bulk at places like Amazon, you can lower the price per AirTag. 

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