Apple’s annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday event for 2025 follows a familiar pattern: instead of direct price cuts, the company offers gift cards with qualifying purchases. This year, shoppers can earn up to $250 in Apple Store credit, an increase from previous years, but third-party retailers often provide more substantial savings through cash discounts. The event runs from November 28 to December 1.
Why This Matters: The Gift Card Strategy
Apple’s approach is a calculated move. Gift cards lock consumers into the Apple ecosystem, ensuring future spending within their store. While the idea of “free money” is appealing, consumers are generally better off shopping elsewhere for significant discounts on AirPods, MacBooks, and other Apple products. This tactic isn’t new; it’s a consistent part of Apple’s Black Friday playbook, and shoppers should be aware of it.
Key Gift Card Offers
The value of the gift card depends on the product purchased:
- 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″ M3): $100 gift card
- iPhone 16/16 Plus: $75 gift card
- MacBook Air (13″ M4): $175 gift card
- MacBook Air (15″ M4): $200 gift card
- MacBook Pro (14″/16″ M4): $250 gift card
These offers are only redeemable at the Apple Store for future purchases.
Where to Find Better Deals
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy consistently offer deeper discounts than Apple directly. For example:
- AirPods 4: Often available for $69 at other retailers, compared to Apple’s $25 gift card with a $249 purchase.
- M4 MacBook Air: Discounted by $250 at Amazon and Best Buy, while Apple only offers a $175-$200 gift card.
The trend is clear: third-party sales are more aggressive. Even high-end MacBook Pros see significant discounts elsewhere, sometimes exceeding Apple’s maximum gift card offer.
The 5 Apple Store Deals Worth Considering
After comparing offers, there are a few instances where buying directly from Apple makes sense:
- AirPods Pro 3: Currently priced at $219.99 with a $50 gift card, outperforming some retailer discounts.
- Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): A rare full-price item elsewhere, but includes a $25 gift card from Apple.
- HomePod (2nd Gen): Gift card offer surpasses the marginal discount at Best Buy.
- Beats Studio Buds +: The $50 gift card makes it competitive with other retailers’ minimal savings.
- M3 iPad Air Magic Keyboard: The $25 gift card offsets the small discount at Amazon.
These are exceptions; most shoppers should prioritize third-party deals for maximum savings.
In conclusion, Apple’s 2025 Black Friday strategy remains consistent: offer gift cards instead of straight discounts. While some deals may be competitive, consumers are almost always better off shopping at Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart for the deepest savings on Apple products.
