Editor’s note: Due to an ongoing patent battle with medical device firm Masimo, Apple was recently barred from selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. However, a federal appeals court has temporarily halted the consequent import restriction. More information regarding the ban may be found here.
Apple released its current set of smartwatches a few months ago, including the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($799) and the new Apple Watch Series 9 ($399). Each wearable has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, as does the second-generation Apple Watch SE ($249), but the launch of the new wearables also means that there are more Apple Watch models on the market than ever before — and a lot more offers to be grabbed.
But, with so many alternatives, which one should you choose? In general, you should get the most recent watch you can afford so that it may continue to receive software upgrades from Apple. The most recent version, watchOS 10, was released in September for Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, however no one can predict if the Series 4 will receive the next major software upgrade or whether it will be limited to newer devices.
Picking up a watch from the latest (or a recent) generation ensures you’re getting a smartwatch with an updated design, a robust number of features, and plenty of sensors. Now, let’s get into the deals.
The best Apple Watch Series 9 deals
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Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS)
The Apple Watch Series 9 is equipped with a brand-new S9 processor that allows for offline Siri use, brighter screens, and the double tap gesture. If you have an iPhone 15, it also contains the second-generation ultra wideband chip for Precision Finding.
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Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS)
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a little update over the Apple Watch Series 8 from last year. It features Apple’s latest S9 SiP CPU and second-generation ultra wideband chip, but there aren’t many other notable modifications.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the most recent addition to Apple’s flagship Series series. It has a slightly faster S9 SiP processor and a second-generation ultra wideband chip, both of which enable onboard Siri processing and exact location with your iPhone. It also has a brighter, 2,000-nit display and supports Apple’s new “double tap,” which allows you to do numerous operations by tapping your thumb and index finger together. While the upgrades are appreciated, the Series 9 does not represent a significant change from the previous model, the Series 8.
The Apple Watch Series 9 has only been on the market for a few months, but the GPS-enabled device is presently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target in the 41mm size starting at $349 ($50 off) or in the larger 45mm configuration starting at $379 ($50 off). The LTE variant with cellular connectivity is presently available for $479 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is around $20 less than its all-time low.
The best Apple Watch SE deals
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2022 Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS)
The current SE incorporates a few features from the Series 8, including the same processor and Crash Detection function, but it’s basically a little improvement over the previous-generation SE.
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2022 Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS)
When compared to the previous SE, Apple’s entry-level wearable offers a small boost, albeit it does have a speedier processor and numerous watchOS 10 capabilities.
The Apple Watch SE was updated in late 2022. It has the same processor as the Series 8, which is fantastic, but it has fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a bit antiquated appearance when compared to the Series 8 and Series 9. Those exclusions may rule this out for some, but it might still be precisely what you’re looking for. Best of all, the 40mm Wi-Fi / GPS device starts at $249, which is $30 cheaper than the previous generation’s starting price. Adding cellular connectivity raises the starting price for the 40mm size to $299 (44mm adds $20 to each combination).
The 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS is currently on sale for $199 ($50 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy; it’s also available in the 44mm dimension for $229 ($50 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. If you want the LTE version, Walmart and Best Buy have it for $249 ($50 off), which is one of the lowest prices it’s ever had.
The best Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals
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Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only available in one size: 49mm. It has the brightest display of any Apple wearable, as well as superior battery life and performance. It also has Apple’s new S9 SiP, letting you to use Apple’s new double tap functionality.
Apple’s newest Apple Watch Ultra, which has GPS and LTE functionality like the original model, was released in September for $799. The ultra-capable wristwatch offers the most capabilities, sensors, and toughness of any Apple Watch model to date, as well as a display that is 50% brighter than the original Ultra. The 49mm wristwatch, like the Apple Watch Series 9, features Apple’s latest S9 SiP and second-generation ultra wideband processors, as well as long-lasting battery life, precise GPS tracking, and a slew of diving-friendly sensors.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 recently dropped to $739 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Fortunately, it’s still on sale (for somewhat more) at Amazon and Best Buy, where you can get it for $749 ($50 off) with an Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean Band strap.
A note on the more premium models
While all of the Apple Watch models and colors described here are made of aluminum (with the exception of the Ultras, which are made of titanium), Apple does manufacture a more premium range made of stainless steel and titanium. These products are practical and visually comparable to their aluminum equivalents, but with somewhat refined hues and finishes — polished for stainless steel and brushed for titanium. They do, however, start at substantially higher rates of $749 and above. They, too, are frequently on sale, but seldom as deeply as the basic base models, so we don’t put them here.
