Black Friday 2024 is shaping up to be one for the books, and tech giant Apple is officially stepping into the arena. While savvy shoppers know that third-party retailers often slash prices more aggressively, there's a certain allure to buying directly from the source. This year, Apple is sweetening the deal for its loyal customers with a site-wide gift card promotion, offering a straightforward way to save on your next big tech purchase.
If you’ve been holding out for the perfect moment to upgrade your iPhone, finally snag that MacBook, or treat yourself to new AirPods, the wait is almost over.
The Apple Black Friday 2024 Gift Card Event: Key Dates and Details
Mark your calendars! Apple's official Black Friday shopping event is confirmed to run from Thursday, November 28th, through Monday, December 1st.
Unlike flash sales that require lightning-fast reflexes, Apple’s offer is simple and stress-free: buy a qualifying product, and you’ll receive an Apple Gift Card to use on a future purchase. It’s their way of giving you a little something back during the biggest shopping season of the year.
So, what’s on the table? Here’s the complete breakdown of the gift card bonuses you can expect:
- iPhone: Purchase any model from the new iPhone 16 family and get up to a $75 Apple Gift Card.
- iPad: Snag the latest iPad Air, iPad mini, or the standard iPad (A16) and receive up to a $100 Apple Gift Card.
- Mac: For those investing in a powerful new computer, buying a MacBook Pro (with M4 Pro or M4 Max), a Mac mini, or a super-sleek MacBook Air will net you up to a $250 Apple Gift Card—the highest bonus in the promotion.
- Apple Watch & TV: Grab an Apple Watch Series 11 or the more budget-friendly SE 3, or an Apple TV 4K, and you’ll get up to a $50 gift card.
- Accessories: Key upgrades like the Keyboard Folio for the new iPad, the Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboards for the iPad Air come with a $25 Apple Gift Card.
- Audio: The deals extend to sound. Get up to a $75 gift card with the purchase of AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 3, or the new AirPods 4. For HomePod, Beats headphones, and earbuds like the PowerBeats Pro 2, you can score up to a $50 gift card.
Ready to shop? You can check out the full details and start planning your haul on the official Apple Holiday Shopping Event page.
The Catch: Should You Buy Directly from Apple or Look Elsewhere?
Let's be real: while Apple's gift card offer is a nice bonus, the most hardcore discounts are often found elsewhere. The gift card is great for funding a future App Store purchase or buying accessories, but it doesn't reduce the upfront cost of your new device.
This is where retailers like Amazon typically shine. For example, we're already seeing early Black Friday signals, with the iPad Air available on Amazon for just $449—a solid $50 cheaper than buying from Apple and receiving a gift card.
If your primary goal is the absolute lowest possible price out-the-door, keeping a close eye on major retailers is your best bet.
For a quick comparison, you can see Amazon's current Apple deals right here: Check Amazon's Apple Black Friday Deals.
The Bottom Line
Apple's direct Black Friday promotion is a perfect fit for the customer who values the seamless buying experience, expert setup help, and direct customer support that comes with purchasing from an Apple Store or Apple.com. The gift card is a tangible reward for your loyalty.
However, for the budget-conscious shopper whose main objective is minimizing the initial hit to their wallet, the deeper discounts expected on Amazon and at other big-box stores will likely be the more lucrative path.
No matter which route you choose, one thing is clear: it's a great time to be in the market for new Apple gear. Happy shopping