Apple
If you’ve been waiting for the best time to buy an Apple Watch for yourself or for someone else as a gift, now — during the Amazon Prime Day October 2023 sale event — is the smartest time to do it. We’ve discovered some awesome deals on Apple Watches. For example, you can grab a 44mm, GPS only Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) for just $229 (that’s 18% off). And the just-released Apple Watch Ultra 2 is $749, which is $50 off.
While the new Apple Watch Series 9 was just released, many people can still benefit from a slightly older version of the smartwatch and save a ton of cash in the process. All versions of the Apple Watch can be configured with GPS only or GPS + Cellular. We highly recommend spending a bit more money on the GPS + Cellular version so the watch can work almost totally autonomously from your iPhone.
The best Apple Watch deals at the Amazon Big Deal Days sale
The Apple Watch is a feature-packed smartwatch that’s the ideal companion to an Apple iPhone. If you’ve been thinking about buying on, this early Black Friday sale at Amazon is the perfect opportunity.
Apple Watch Series 9: $390
Apple
Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest version of Apple’s smartwatch. This particular version features the 40mm aluminum casing in midnight black and is paired with the Sport Loop band (also in midnight black). It’s the GPS-only version of the watch that’s powered by Apple’s S9 chip.
You’ll enjoy an incredibly bright (but adjustable) always-on display and a considerably longer battery life compared to older models. Several other configurations of the Series 9 smartwatch are available from Amazon, but this is one of the few that’s currently on sale.
Apple Watch Series 8: $300 and up
Apple
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a durable smartwatch that is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant. For regular smartwatch users, it packs just about every feature you could ask for into a compact, comfortable-to-wear package.
The Apple Watch 8 has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor. It also comes with a new crash detection feature, which detects where the wearer is in a severe car crash and alerts emergency services.
You can also tap into yoga, meditation and other workout programs via Apple Fitness+. (Apple Fitness+ is a subscription service. It costs $9.99 a month; Apple Watch buyers get the first month free.)
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the obvious choice for anyone who doesn’t need any of the Apple Watch Ultra’s ridiculously long feature list. It’s just right, and a great upgrade from the previous line’s offerings. It’s also more affordable and frequently goes on sale.
This is one of the lowest prices for the Apple Watch 8 we’ve ever seen. Pricing varies for additional models based on size and cellular options, but the Apple Watch 8 is discounted across all models.
Why we like the Apple Watch 8:
Save $50 on the new Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple
Designed for adventurers, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is not only more rugged than the Apple Watch Series 9, it’s also packed with additional potentially life-saving features. In addition to the titanium casing, the battery life of Apple Watch Ultra 2 is up to 36 hours (72 hours in Low Power Mode), which is significantly longer than the regular versions of the watch. You also get a much brighter, always-on retina display that’s equipped with a Night Mode for better viewing in low light situations.
This higher-end version of the Apple Watch includes all of the communication, safety, health, fitness and related sensors and internal equipment built into the Apple Watch Series 9 and then some.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days for $749, the lowest price we’ve ever seen. There’s just one 49mm titanium case size available, but the band style options come in a variety of new colors. For example, the Alpine Loop comes in blue, indigo and olive, while the Trail Loop now comes in orange/beige, green/gray and blue/black. Apple Watch Ultra is only available with GPS + Cellular connectivity.
New features added to Apple Watch Ultra 2
- An always on Retina LTPO OLED display with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits.
- It runs using Apple’s new S9 chip and a 4-core Neural Engine.
- Cycling workouts automatically show up as a Live Activity.
- The Compass app displays current elevation and offers a 3D view of waypoints (with their elevation).
- The Maps app displays topographic maps that showcase details, like points of interest and trailheads.
- A three-month subscription to Apple Fitness+ is included.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation): $229 (18% off)
Amazon
The Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is also on sale. This Apple Watch features the 44mm aluminum housing in midnight black and comes bundled with a Sport Band (size M/L) in midnight black.
It’s the GPS-only version of the smartwatch, so to take full advantage of all it’s features, it’ll need to stay within about 33 feet from the iPhone it’s paired with. This Apple Watch runs using the WatchOS 10 operating system, so it offers the latest software-based features available for all current Apple Watch models.
Apple Watch Series 8 with Graphite Milanese Loop band: $649 (13% off)
Amazon
Here’s another prime example of an Apple Watch that’s been discounted in conjunction with Amazon Prime Day October 2023. This is the GPS + Cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 8 (last year’s model) with a 41mm graphite stainless steel housing and an upgraded graphite Milanese Loop watchband.
This version of the Apple Watch Series 8 runs the WatchOS 10 operating system. Feature-for-feature, it can do just about everything the Apple Watch Series 9 with a similar configuration can do, but the performance will be slightly slower.
Apple Watch Series 8 with Starlight Milanese Loop: $699 ($100 off)
Amazon
Head over to Amazon right now to snap up this higher-end configuration of the Apple Watch Series 8. It’s the GPS + Cellular version with a 45mm, starlight stainless steel casing and a starlight Milanese Loop watch band (size M/L).
Last year, this way of the most expensive Apple Watch configurations, but because it’s now an older model, it’s being discounted by $100, bringing the price down to $699. It
This version of the Apple Watch offers the GPS + Cellular configuration, so you’ll need to pay about $10 per month to your cellular provider for 5G connectivity.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $279 (15% off)
Amazon
For a very limited time, Amazon has reduced the price of this Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) with GPS + Cellular by $50. This is the current version of the Apple Watch SE. It’s being offered with the 44mm silver aluminum casing and a lovely white Sport Band (size S/M).
Out of all the different Apple Watch configurations, this is the one we recommend purchasing for your child, pre-teen, or older parent/grandparent who is not tech-savvy. This is because the watch support’s Apple’s Family Setup feature, so the watch can be pair with and controlled using another adult’s iPhone.
Because it’s the GPS + Cellular version of the watch, the person wearing it will be able to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, plus perform other features without needing their own iPhone. This includes being able to use all of the Apple Watch’s safety features, like Fall Detection, Emergency SOS Calling, and Crash Detection.
Using the Family Setup feature, an adult can adjust the watch’s parental controls to determine exactly who the wearer can communicate with and what smartwatch features they can use. For example, a child can be blocked from communicating with strangers and be prevented from streaming music with explicit lyrics, yet the parent will be able to track their child’s location in real-time.
At the moment, this exact watch configuration is also being offered by Amazon with a midnight black aluminum case and midnight Sport Band, or with a starlight aluminum case and startlight Sport Band. Other genuine Apple watchbands are sold separately.
More Apple Watch coverage is just a click away
If you need help choosing which Apple Watch configuration is right for you, check out our recent coverage. You can also read our in-depth review of the Apple Watch Series 9. And if you’re wondering why our in-house smartwatch experts are loving the new Apple Watch lineup, check out our recently published article, entitled 9 things we love about the Apple Watch Series 9, Why you need one.
When is Amazon Big Deal Days?
The Amazon Big Deal Days sales event (also known as October Prime Day) kicks off at midnight PT (3:00 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
What else is on sale during Amazon Big Deal Days?
During the Amazon Big Deal Days sales event, you’ll also find big discounts across all of Amazon’s departments, including home, tech, kitchen, fitness and so much more. This is the perfect time to kick off (and potentially even finish) your holiday shopping, without having to deal with Black Friday crowds and having the gifts you want to purchase being sold out. You’ll find deals on luggage for your holiday travels, too.
Do you need to be a Prime Member to shop Prime Big Deal Days deals?
While some of the best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers are Prime-exclusive or invite-only, there will also be tons of deals that are open to all shoppers. So even if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, there will be deals available to you.
If you want to shop the best deals, though, you’ll want to sign up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime. Prime memberships costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and include access to Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football) and a number of other great perks.
What other stores are holding competing early Black Friday sales?
Savvy shoppers know that any of the Amazon Prime Day events offer the perfect time to find tens of thousands of popular products on sale from Amazon, including some at their lowest price of the year. However, many other popular online and retail merchants, such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy and even your favorite department stores, such as Macy’s, all tend to kick off sales either at the same time or around the same dates as Amazon Big Deal Days.
- Best Buy’s 48-Hour Flash Sale is happening on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11, the same days as Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.
- Walmart’s Holiday Kickoff sale will run from Oct. 9 through Oc. 12.
Do products on sale during Amazon Big Deal Days sell out?
You bet they do — and sometimes things sell out within hours. If you see something on sale that you want to get your hands on during the Amazon Big Deal Days sale, order it right away. Often, quantities are limited. Once a product is sold out at the sale price, Amazon won’t always restock right away and when it does restock, the sale price likely won’t be offered.
Can products bought from Amazon during Amazon Big Deal Days be returned?
Unless it specifically states in the product description or near the “add to cart” and “buy now” buttons that the product being offered on sale is a final sale or not returnable, Amazon’s regular return policy for that product will be honored.
On the right side of a product description on Amazon, just below the “buy now” button (and where it says “ships from and sold by”), look for the heading that says “returns.”
If the text says, “eligible for return, refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt,” that’s the return policy that will be honored. However, you may be responsible for paying return shipping to Amazon, unless you drop off the product as a Whole Foods or Kohl’s, which accepts some Amazon returns.
The best October Prime Day deals at Amazon to shop now
Can’t wait until Prime Big Deal Days starts? The shopping experts at CBS Essentials are keeping track of the best deals on Amazon right now. Check out our coverage of Prime Big Deal Days below.
