Black Friday 2026: Apple Watch deals
to buy now, wait for or skip
Our best buy is the Apple Watch SE 3. Series 12 and Ultra 4 are Apple’s newest Watches on Amazon, which makes Series 11 and Ultra 3 last year’s models. We checked every listing on October 18 to see which are worth buying now, which to wait on and which to skip.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 18, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
When do Black Friday 2026 deals start? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26), and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 Black Friday sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday.
This page is a buying plan for Apple Watches sold on Amazon, written on October 18, after Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7) and before the main sale. Buy now: Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, which are both listed well below Apple’s list price and sold by Amazon.com. Wait: Series 12 and Ultra 4, Apple’s newest models, which show no markdown yet. Skip: Series 11, which is only a modest step below Series 12 and was down to its last unit on the listings we checked.
Don’t wait if you need a watch in hand for Thanksgiving week or you are buying a first watch for a teen: SE 3 is the simple answer. Don’t buy an Ultra unless you want a rugged 49 mm case, because it is big on small wrists. Every Apple Watch needs an iPhone to set up, so Android owners should look at a Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch instead. Prices move daily, so tap “View on Amazon” for today’s number.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Buy Now Apple Watch SE 3 Smartwatch (GPS, 40 mm) |  Best Older-Model Buy Apple Watch Ultra 3 Rugged smartwatch (GPS + Cellular, 49 mm) |  Best New Model to Wait For Apple Watch Series 12 Smartwatch (GPS, 42 or 46 mm) |  Best Ultra to Wait For Apple Watch Ultra 4 Rugged smartwatch (GPS + Cellular, 49 mm) |  Skip This One Apple Watch Series 11 Smartwatch (GPS, 46 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 81 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Buy | Wait | Wait | Skip |
| Best for | First Apple Watch, kids and teens | Runners, hikers and divers | People who want the newest health sensors | Athletes who want the newest Ultra | Only if it falls far below Series 12 |
| Typical price (checked October 18, 2026) | $200–$220 | $650–$700 | $390–$450 | $770–$870 | $330–$380 |
| Model | 2025 model (current SE) | 2025 model (titanium, 49 mm) | Newest Series | Newest Ultra | 2025 model |
| Newer model out? | No | Yes, Ultra 4 | No | No | Yes, Series 12 |
| Why it’s here | Listed well below Apple’s list price | Well below its own list price and below Ultra 4 | New, with no markdown yet | New, with no markdown yet | Modest discount and almost no stock |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Buy Now
Apple Watch SE 3
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $200–$220 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Apple Watch SE 3 is the cheapest current Apple Watch, and Amazon lists the 40 mm GPS model well below Apple’s list price. The listing says it has temperature sensing, a sleep score, sleep apnea notifications and crash detection, plus 18-hour battery life and fast charging that gives up to 8 hours in 15 minutes. It is sold by Amazon.com. The listing does not mention ECG, which the Series and Ultra listings do. A Black Friday cut is possible, but this is already a low price for a current Apple Watch.
Pros- Cheapest current Apple Watch
- Fast charging: up to 8 hours in 15 minutes, per the listing
- Sleep score, sleep apnea notifications and crash detection
Cons- The listing does not mention ECG
- GPS model relies on your iPhone or Wi-Fi to stay connected
- Other sizes and colors cost more than the model shown
- 2. Best Older-Model Buy
Apple Watch Ultra 3
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $650–$700 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Ultra 3 is last year’s Ultra, but it is still one of the best-specced Apple Watches. The listing says it has a titanium case and sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance, dual-frequency GPS and up to 42 hours of normal use, or 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Amazon lists it well below Apple’s list price and below the newer Ultra 4. The Ultra 4 adds HRV checks every five minutes and a readiness score. If you want those, pay for the Ultra 4. If not, this is the better value, and stock was limited when we checked.
Pros- Titanium case and sapphire crystal
- Up to 42 hours of normal use, per the listing
- Listed well below the newer Ultra 4
Cons- Replaced by Ultra 4
- The listings show Ultra 4 adding HRV checks and a readiness score
- The 49 mm case is big on small wrists
- 3. Best New Model to Wait For
Apple Watch Series 12
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $390–$450 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Series 12 is Apple’s newest main Watch, and the listing shows no markdown. It says the watch measures heart rate variability as often as every five minutes, adds a daily readiness score, gives up to 24 hours of normal use and fast-charges up to 12 hours of use in 15 minutes. It is sold by Amazon.com at Apple’s price. A model this new may get its first cut during Black Friday, so wait if you can. If SE 3 covers your needs, you may not need Series 12 at all.
Pros- Newest sensors: HRV every five minutes, per the listing
- Readiness score and daily sleep score
- Up to 24 hours of normal use
Cons- No markdown shown yet
- Roughly double the price of SE 3
- Price depends on size: 46 mm costs more than 42 mm
- 4. Best Ultra to Wait For
Apple Watch Ultra 4
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $770–$870 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Ultra 4 is Apple’s newest rugged Watch, and the listing shows no markdown. It adds HRV measurements as often as every five minutes and a daily readiness score, claims up to 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking, and fast-charges up to 18 hours of use in 15 minutes. It also has satellite communications for texting emergency services without cell service or Wi-Fi. It is the priciest watch on this page. A model this new may get a first cut on Black Friday, so wait unless you need it now.
Pros- Newest health features: HRV and readiness
- Up to 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking, per the listing
- Satellite communications for emergencies
Cons- No markdown shown yet
- Costs well over Ultra 3
- The 49 mm case is big on small wrists
- 5. Skip This One
Apple Watch Series 11
BeastScore 81 / 100Typically $330–$380 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)People search for Series 11 deals, and it is listed below Apple’s list price. The listing says it has ECG, hypertension notifications, a sleep score and up to 24 hours of normal use. But Series 12 has replaced it, and the two Series 11 listings we checked each showed only one unit left in stock, so a Black Friday deal on it may never appear. The gap to Series 12 is modest. Unless you find a new Series 11 sold by Amazon.com far below Series 12, spend a little more on Series 12 or a lot less on SE 3.
Pros- ECG and hypertension notifications, per the listing
- Sleep score and sleep apnea notifications
- Up to 24 hours of normal use
Cons- Replaced by Series 12
- The listings we checked were almost out of stock
- Only a modest gap below Series 12
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Apple Watch SE 3. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Deal valueApple Watch SE 3 · 9.4/10
- How newTie
- Health trackingTie
- BatteryApple Watch Ultra 4 · 9.8/10
- Buy-now confidenceApple Watch SE 3 · 9.2/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyThe cheapest current Apple Watch, already well below Apple’s list price. A great first watch or gift to buy now.
- It is your first Apple Watch
- You are buying for a kid or teen
- You don’t need ECG
BuyA one-year-old Ultra listed well below Apple’s list price and below Ultra 4. Buy it if you don’t need Ultra 4’s new health features. Stock was limited.
- You run, hike or dive
- You want a titanium case and long battery life
- You don’t need Ultra 4’s newest health features
WaitNew at Apple’s price with no markdown yet. Wait for a first cut, or buy SE 3 if you only need the basics.
- You want the newest sensors
- You can wait for a first markdown
- You want a smaller case than the Ultra
WaitNew at full price with no markdown. Wait for a first cut, or buy Ultra 3 if the price gap is bigger than the new features are worth.
- You want the newest Ultra
- You want HRV and readiness features
- The price gap to Ultra 3 does not bother you
SkipReplaced by Series 12, with a modest gap and almost no stock on the listings we checked. Skip unless it falls far below Series 12.
- A new one falls far below Series 12
- It is sold by Amazon.com
- You want ECG and hypertension notifications
Apple Watch SE 3
The cheapest current Apple Watch, listed well below Apple’s list price and sold by Amazon.com. If you buy one Apple Watch before Black Friday, make it this one.
- Sleep score and crash detection
- Fast charging
- Current model
Quick tips before you buy
Apple Watch pairs with an iPhone. If you use Android, pick a Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch instead. See our Apple Watch vs Galaxy Watch vs Pixel Watch guide.
SE 3 is shown here in 40 mm, Series 12 in 42 or 46 mm, and the Ultra models in 49 mm. Size and finish change the price, so compare the same size before you judge a deal.
Search shows “Renewed” Apple Watches next to new ones at lower prices. Check the title and seller so you get a new watch with Apple’s warranty.
Cellular models cost more and need a wireless plan to use cellular. GPS models rely on your iPhone or Wi-Fi. The Ultra listings we checked are GPS + Cellular.
Quick answers
When does Black Friday 2026 start on Amazon?+
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday. If it repeats that pattern, early deals could start around November 20. That is a guess, not an announcement.
Will Apple Watch SE 3 be cheaper on Black Friday?+
Nobody knows before the sale. SE 3 is already listed well below Apple’s list price on Amazon, so there is less room left for a big cut. We call it a buy now because it is the cheapest current Apple Watch and the discount is already clear.
Is Apple Watch Series 11 worth buying on Black Friday?+
Probably not. Series 12 has replaced it, and the two Series 11 listings we checked showed only one unit left. If a new Series 11 sold by Amazon.com falls far below Series 12, it could be worth a look. Otherwise buy SE 3 for less or wait for a Series 12 markdown.
Should I buy Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Ultra 4 on Black Friday?+
Ultra 3 is listed well below Ultra 4 and well below its own list price. The listings say Ultra 4 adds HRV checks every five minutes, a readiness score and up to 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking. Buy Ultra 3 if you want the rugged titanium watch for less. Wait on Ultra 4 for its first markdown.
Apple Watch SE 3 or Series 12: which should I buy?+
SE 3 is the value pick. The listing shows sleep tracking, crash detection and fast charging. Series 12 costs about double and adds HRV every five minutes and a readiness score. Choose SE 3 if you want the basics. Choose Series 12 if you will use the extra health data and can wait for a first markdown.
Is it better to buy an Apple Watch now or wait for Black Friday?+
Buy now if the model is already clearly below Apple’s list price, like SE 3 and Ultra 3. Wait if the model is new and shows no markdown, like Series 12 and Ultra 4. If you need the watch before Thanksgiving week, buy now and skip the wait.
Are Apple Watches from Amazon new and covered by Apple’s warranty?+
Yes, when the listing is sold by Amazon.com and says new. Avoid “Renewed” and “Used” listings if you want a new watch with Apple’s one-year warranty.
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