Prime Big Deal Days: Apple deals
worth buying (and what to skip)
Our best buy is the AirPods Pro 3. Amazon discounts Apple gear every Prime Big Deal Days, but Apple just launched new AirPods and Apple Watches, so some “deals” are really last year’s models. Here is what to buy, what to skip and why.
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.
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
Prime Big Deal Days runs October 6–7, 2026, for Prime members, and Amazon has already cut prices on AirPods, iPads and Macs. Every product here is sold by Amazon as a new Apple product with Apple’s normal one-year warranty.
Timing matters more for Apple than for any other brand this sale. Apple launched AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 in September, so older models are being cleared out. Our rule: buy Apple’s current models when they are discounted, and skip older models unless the price is far below the new one.
Top buys: AirPods Pro 3 (one of the biggest AirPods discounts reported in early coverage), MacBook Air 13" (M5), the 11-inch iPad (A16), Apple Watch SE 3 and AirTag (2nd gen). Skip AirPods 4 with ANC: AirPods 5 replace them with better noise cancelling.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 6.
| Product | Best Apple Deal AirPods Pro 3 Noise-cancelling earbuds |  Best Big-Ticket Deal MacBook Air 13" (M5) Laptop (16 GB / 512 GB) |  Best iPad Deal iPad 11-inch (A16) Tablet (128 GB, Wi-Fi) |  Best Watch Deal Apple Watch SE 3 Smartwatch (GPS, 44 mm) |  Best Small Deal AirTag (2nd Gen) Item tracker |  Skip This One AirPods 4 with ANC Open-fit earbuds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 94 / 100 | 92 / 100 | 89 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 78 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy | Skip |
| Best for | Every iPhone owner | Students and everyday work | Kids, streaming and schoolwork | First Apple Watch, kids and teens | Keys, bags and luggage | Only at a deep clearance price |
| Model | 2025 model (current) | 2026 model (current) | 2025 model (current base iPad) | 2025 model (current SE) | 2026 model (current) | 2024 model |
| Newer model out? | No | No | Not yet | No | No | Yes, AirPods 5 (2026) |
| Why it’s here | Best AirPods, big early discount | 16 GB and 512 GB in the base model | Cheapest way into an iPad | Always-on screen and fast charging | Longer range and a louder speaker | Older model being cleared out |
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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
All 6 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with AirPods Pro 3. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Deal valueAirPods Pro 3 · 9.6/10
- How newTie
- Everyday useTie
- Years of useMacBook Air 13" (M5) · 9.8/10
- iPhone extrasTie
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyStill Apple’s best earbuds, and the discount is one of the biggest of the sale. The easiest Apple buy this week.
- You have an iPhone
- You want the best noise cancelling
- You work out with earbuds
BuyApple’s current Air with 512 GB of storage. A Mac you can keep for six or more years, so a discount now is a real saving.
- Your laptop is 5+ years old
- You are heading to college
- You want all-day battery
BuyStill the current base iPad. It does not run Apple Intelligence, so get an iPad Air if you want AI features.
- You need a tablet for a kid
- You mostly stream and browse
- You want the cheapest new iPad
BuyThe SE got the always-on screen and faster charging, so it covers most people. Get Series 12 only for its new health sensors.
- It is your first Apple Watch
- You want fall and crash detection
- You don’t need ECG or blood pressure alerts
BuyThe new AirTag finds things from farther away. A cheap add-on to any order, and a good stocking stuffer.
- You lose your keys
- You check bags when you fly
- You need a small gift
SkipAirPods 5 remove more noise, and AirPods Pro 3 are discounted too. Only buy these if they drop far below both.
- You hate in-ear tips
- The price is far below AirPods 5
- You don’t need the newest model
AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s best earbuds, with one of the biggest discounts of the sale. If you buy one Apple product this week, make it these.
- 2x the noise cancelling of Pro 2
- Heart rate sensing
- Live Translation
Quick tips before you buy
Apple keeps selling older models next to new ones. Look for “AirPods 5” or “Series 12” before buying the older version.
Make sure the seller is Amazon.com so you get a new product with Apple’s full warranty.
Some listings bundle AppleCare+. It is optional, so compare with the plain listing.
Renewed Apple products show up next to new ones in search. Check the title before you add to cart.
Quick answers
When is Prime Big Deal Days 2026?+
October 6–7, 2026. It starts at 12:01 a.m. PT on October 6 and runs for 48 hours. Some Apple deals, including AirPods Pro 3, went live early.
Is Amazon an authorized Apple seller?+
Yes. Apple products sold by Amazon.com are new, come with Apple’s one-year warranty and can be added to AppleCare+. Avoid third-party sellers and “Renewed” listings if you want new.
Should I buy AirPods 4 or AirPods 5?+
AirPods 5 are the newer model and remove more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Buy AirPods 4 only if the discount puts them well below AirPods 5, or get AirPods Pro 3 if they are on sale.
Will Apple prices be lower on Black Friday?+
Nobody knows in advance. AirPods and iPads often hit similar prices in October and November, so if a current model is on sale now, it is a safe buy. Big Black Friday drops usually go to older models.
Why don’t you list prices?+
Deal prices change several times a day during the sale. Tap “View on Amazon” to see the current price.
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