Apple’s annual Black Friday sale for 2025, running from November 28th through December 1st, offers a familiar structure: free gift cards with qualifying purchases, rather than direct price cuts. While this may sound tempting, especially with increases in gift card values (up to $250 on select Macs), most shoppers will find better deals elsewhere.
Why Apple’s Approach Matters
Apple rarely discounts products outright. Instead, the company relies on gift cards to incentivize purchases, locking customers into the Apple ecosystem for future spending. This strategy works because many consumers prefer the perceived value of “free money” over a straightforward price reduction. However, third-party retailers consistently offer deeper discounts, making the Apple Store’s “sale” less competitive for bargain hunters.
Key Gift Card Offers
The following gift card amounts will be available, depending on the product:
- AirPods 4/4 with ANC: $25 gift card
- AirPods Pro 3: $50 gift card
- AirPods Max: $75 gift card
- Apple Watch SE 3/Series 11: $50 gift card
- iPad Air (11/13-inch M3): $100 gift card
- iPad (A16)/mini: $50 gift card
- iPhone 16/16 Plus: $75 gift card
- iPhone 16e: $50 gift card
- MacBook Air (13-inch M4): $175 gift card
- MacBook Air (15-inch M4): $200 gift card
- MacBook Pro (14/16-inch M4): $250 gift card
- Mac mini: $100 gift card
- iMac: $150 gift card
- Apple TV 4K: $25 gift card
- HomePod: $50 gift card
- Beats (various models): $25–$50 gift card
- Magic Keyboards/Apple Pencil Pro: $25 gift card
Where to Find Better Deals
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy routinely beat Apple’s offers with direct discounts. For example:
- AirPods 4: Often available for $69 at other retailers, versus Apple’s $25 gift card on a $249 purchase.
- MacBook Airs: Frequently discounted by $250 or more at competing stores, exceeding the Apple Store’s gift card value.
Newer products (like the M5 MacBook Pro) are often excluded from Apple’s promotion, further pushing shoppers to third-party sellers.
Five Apple Store Deals Worth Considering
Despite the broader trend, there are a few scenarios where Apple’s gift card offer provides the best value:
- AirPods Pro 3: Competitive with Amazon/Best Buy at $219.99, plus a $50 gift card.
- Apple TV 4K: Still at list price elsewhere, but Apple includes a $25 gift card.
- HomePod (2nd Gen): Best Buy’s $29 discount is offset by Apple’s $50 gift card.
- Beats Studio Buds +: Apple’s $50 gift card beats Kohl’s $45 in Kohl’s Cash.
- 13-inch M3 iPad Air Magic Keyboard: Apple offers a $25 gift card, while Amazon saves shoppers only $19.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the lowest price, skip the Apple Store. Third-party retailers will almost always offer better deals. If you prefer the convenience of Apple’s direct sales and don’t mind a gift card instead of cash savings, a few select products might make the deal worthwhile.
