Apple Black Friday 2018: What to expect

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018 are coming, and we don't know about you, but we're excited. In anticipation of the discount retail event of the year, we're taking a look at what we're dubbing Apple Black Friday 2018 – that is, the deals on Apple products this Black Friday.

From the retailer itself, Apple Black Friday discounts don't always come in the form of money off products, so you might not get a cheap Apple laptop from the Apple Store. Instead, last year, the tech giant gave away gift cards with purchases made over Black Friday. 

In 2017, if you bought a MacBook or an iMac, you got the maximum gift card of £120/$150, if you bought smaller Apple products, such as a Apple Watch Series 1 or iPhone SE, you got a £20/$25 gift card. The newest products, however, didn't have any gift cards attached. Still a great way to save some cash if you're an Apple fan. 

Apple Black Friday and Cyber Monday: the deals we expect to see

While we expect the Apple Black Friday sale in 2018 to look similar to last year, with gift cards offered for some products, such as the MacBook (2017) and iPhone 8 (but not the latest ones like the iPhone XS), other retailers such as Amazon and John Lewis are extremely likely to slash their Apple prices over Black Friday. Here's more on what we expect to see...

Apple Watch Black Friday deals

Since the Apple Watch 4 landed we've been seeing discounts on the older Apple Watch models, and we expect to see prices drop even further this Black Friday. Keep an eye on the prices of the Watch you're interested in. If you see a price increase over the next few weeks, it's likely that price will then drop down on Black Friday. So be vigilant! 

And if there are going to be discounts on the new Apple Watch 4, then Black Friday is the time for them, so keep your eyes peeled. If you can't wait till then, see below for today's best deals.

Apple AirPods Black Friday

With rumours mounting that Apple will announce AirPods 2 at its next launch event on 30 October, we may see discounts on the original AirPods. These have been rather elusive since their launch, with AirPods even at some points selling above the RRP due to demand.

These days, they are much more readily available though, and are retailing at the RRP of $159/£159. Let's hope we'll see a price drop for Black Friday. In the meantime, here's today's best deals.

Apple 4K TV Black Friday

If you'd like to turn your TV into a smart device with gorgeous imagery and Dolby Vision support, then the Apple 4K TV is the way to go. If you don't need all of that, but just want your TV to become 'smart', then older generation models such as the Apple TV 3rd generation may suit you better, and these are the ones most likely to be discounted over Black Friday. Here are today's deals below.

Apple iPad Black Friday

Those who are after an iPad are in luck. The iPad is the product that's most likely to be on sale over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Last year we saw discounts on even the newest iPads, including the iPad 9.7-inch 32GB, which was down to around £300 from £339, and the iPad Pro 10.5, which had £50 off on Amazon.

This year, we expect these models to have their prices slashed further, especially because a new iPad Pro is likely to be launched on October 30. Here's what prices look like at the moment.

Apple MacBook Black Friday

Last year, John Lewis offered between £50 and £200 off selected MacBooks and iMacs, and we're already seeing some MacBooks on offer this year. It's worth tracking the price of the model you're interested in from now on, so you'll know when you're getting an Apple Black Friday discount that's truly worth it.

iPhone X Black Friday

In 2017, there were discounts on the iPhone X over Black Friday even though it had only just been released, so this year, we expect big discounts on this smartphone. Seeing as the iPhone X is also being discontinued due to the arrival of the new iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS and iPhone XR, that means retailers will be wanting to shift their stock. Today's best deals are below.

Where to find the best Apple Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals

As we said previously, the Apple Store isn't usually the best place to grab a bargain in the Apple Black Friday sale. Keep an eye on retailers such as Currys, Amazon, Walmart and John Lewis, and don't forget to check back here, as we'll be curating the best deals as they come in.

How to get the best Apple Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals

To get the best deal possible, it's best to have a product and a price in mind. This will keep you from being overwhelmed by the options and becoming unable to make a decision (or making the wrong decision). 

Once you've decided on the product you're after, you can start tracking its price on various retailers – or even simpler, bookmark this page and keep checking it. You could also set up a Google Alert for the prices you're after. Here are some more tips here on how to make the most of Black Friday.

3 Apple products to look out for on Black Friday

Not sure what to go for after looking at all of Apple's great products? Our money is on the best discounts being on the MacBook Pro 15-inch, Apple Watch 3 and the iPad Pro 12.9.

It's also worth keeping an eye on what Apple releases on its event on October 30, as when new products come out, the older model is likely to be reduced to clear.

Apple Store on Black Friday 2018: opening hours

Will you have to queue up round the block to get the best Apple Black Friday deals? This seems unlikely, because as far as we know, most Apple Stores will operate their usual opening hours across this period. You can check your local Apple Store opening times here.

As mentioned, however, the Apple Store may not be the best place to bag yourself Apple Black Friday deals, so you may be better off going to another retailer or shopping online. Don't forget that we'll be reporting on deals as they come in, so you can keep checking this page to bag yourself an Apple Black Friday bargain.

Read more:

• Microsoft Black Friday: what to expect
• Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday: what to expect
• Adobe Black Friday: the deals we expect to see

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