7 Ways To Pay Less for Apple Products
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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From iPads and iPhones to Apple Watches, Apple has a wide range of tech gadgets and accessories. But many of these products are also expensive when you pay full price for them.
If you want to save money on the tech you love, you can always look for current sales or discounts.
However, you might also find other ways to get a great deal. Here are seven ways to pay less for Apple products.
Also see the best and worst times to shop for Apple products.
Education Savings
Apple has tech deals for college students, parents and teachers. Check out the Education Store on Apple’s website. Look for the graduation cap icon — the symbol for its education savings program — to see which Apple products are currently eligible for savings.
For instance, currently, the 11-inch iPad Air costs $549 on the Education Store. It costs $599 on its website regularly.
Cash Back
If you’ve got a cash-back rewards credit or debit card, you can use it to earn money on your regular purchases. Once you’ve earned enough cash back, you can use it for virtually anything, including your Apple tech.
One option is the Apple Card. It earns at least 1% cash back on every purchase you make, including Apple products. You can use it anywhere Apple Pay is accepted. Some purchases earn more cash back too.
Just be sure to use your card like normal. If you use it strictly to earn cash back, you’ll run the risk of overextending your budget.
Veterans and Military Purchase Program
Apple has a program that offers a 10% discount to those who are currently in the U.S. military, National Guard or the Reserve. This discount applies to veterans as well.
You’ll need to verify that you’re either activity military or a veteran, something you can do through the ID.me site. Immediate family members in your household can also qualify.
Refurbished Products
Apple offers additional savings on certified refurbished products. These are products that have received replacement pieces or parts and have been inspected for quality.
For example, a refurbished iOS device with a new battery or outer shell would qualify for a discount. You may also get certain warranties — like the standard one-year limited warranty — and complimentary tech support for up to 90 days.
To get a certified refurbished product, your best bet is to go through the Apple website. There are many featured refurbished products there. You can even see how much money you’d save by purchasing different ones. Just know that some products will be of an older generation.
Special Sales
You may find special sales on Apple tech throughout the year. These often show up on Apple’s main store, but you can also find them at places like Best Buy and Amazon. Popular sales include Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day sales.
Discounts vary widely by product type and location, of course. You may still want to compare sales and, if you’re not in a rush, wait until a newer model comes out. With new generations typically come greater discounts — especially during those major sales events.
Older Models
No matter where you shop, you’re bound to find cheaper versions of older generations of iPhones, iPads and the like. Oftentimes, older models of these devices function just as well as the newer ones. The main difference is the cost.
For example, iPhones as of late have very comparable specs, albeit there are some differences. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display and starts at $999. The iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch display and a starting base price of $599. That’s $400 less for a couple of models back. So if you’re willing to forgo some of the latest upgrades, purchasing an older model could be a good choice.
Trade-Ins
If you’ve already got an Apple product, trade it in and save on a newer model. You can also trade in some tech that isn’t from Apple, like Google and Samsung smartphones. You could get a trade-in credit or an Apple gift card for doing so. To trade in an item, go to the main Apple website or the Apple Store.
You can get an estimate of what your trade-in is worth before making any final decisions. Once you’ve done that, pick out the new Apple product you want. Apple will send you a confirmation email and give you the option to either mail in your old device or drop it off at a physical location.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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