The 11+ best Black Friday Apple Watch deals 2024: Early sales live now

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We're still about two weeks away from the biggest shopping extravaganza of the year, but early Black Friday sales and holiday savings are already hitting retailers, both online and in-store. Some of the largest retailers, like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon have already begun offering savings, and we're still about two weeks away from the holiday shopping event.

Also: The best Black Friday deals 2024: Early sales live now

The month of November is a great time to snag seasonal savings on top tech products, including popular Apple watches. And although Apple products don't frequently see savings, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other holiday sales will be a great chance to save between 10-20% on select devices. Last year, we saw the first major price cuts on the Apple Watch SE and Series 9 for the holiday season, and this year, we may even see larger savings on the newest Watch Series 10.

Also: The Apple Watch Series 10 makes a great gift - and it's $349 for the first time at major retailers

We've rounded up all the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals you can shop now, including on some of the most popular models.

Also: The best Apple Watches: Expert tested

Our favorite early Apple Watch deals for Black Friday 2024

Apple Watch Series 10: $349 (save $50 at Walmart): Apple's newest Watch Series 10 is already seeing savings at Walmart. Save $50 for the first time with this exclusive offer. Apple Watch Series 9: $339 (save $60 at Best Buy): Last year's excellent Watch Series 9 is available for $60 off right now at Best Buy. Grab the 41mm GPS model with the sport loop in Light Pink. Plus, shop similar offers on the sport band model. Apple Watch Series 9: $344 (save $85 at Best Buy): The larger 45mm face Watch Series 9 is $85 off in select colors at Best Buy right now. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $189 (save $61 at Walmart): One of the best deals on the Watch SE (2nd Gen), which is still the latest base model available, is at Walmart, where it's currently $61 off in select iterations.

Current price: $349Original price: $399

Right now, you can snag Apple's newest Watch Series 10 for $50 off at Walmart for the first time. Plus, there are savings to be had on other color options as well. Amazon has similar offers on the Watch Series 10.

Current price: $339Original price: $399

Last year's Watch Series 9 is around $60 off in select models at some major retailers, including Amazon. At Best Buy, save $60 on select models, too.

Current price: $189Original price: $250

Walmart and Amazon have the best deal right now on Apple's latest base model SE (2nd Gen). You can also shop the Watch SE at Best Buy, though you'll pay $10 more.

Current price: $680Original price: $799

Best Buy is offering over $100 savings on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS+ Cellular 49mm with the ocean band in blue or white.

Best Black Friday Apple Watch Series 8, 9, & 10 deals

Apple Watch Series 10 42mm: $349 (save $50 at Amazon): Similar to Walmart's offer, Amazon is selling select models of the Watch Series 10 for $50 off. Apple Watch Series 9 41mm: $339 (save $60 at Amazon): In addition to Best Buy, Amazon has the 41mm sport loop model in Winter Blue for $60 off, too. Apple Watch Series 9 45mm: $369 (save $60 at Best Buy): If you prefer a larger watch face, you can get the Watch Series 9 in the 45mm on sale for $70 off in select iterations. Apple Watch Series 8 41mm, Refurbished: $256 at Amazon: At this point, the Series 8 is two models outdated, but that doesn't mean it's not a great option. Plus, the Series 8 is the only Apple watch still available with the blood oxygen sensor feature. Snag a refurbished model at Amazon.

Best Black Friday Apple Watch SE & SE (2nd Gen) deals

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) 40mm: $189 (save $61 at Amazon): If Amazon is your preferred retailer, you can score the same deal on the Watch SE (2nd Gen) in several sport loop iterations. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) 44mm: $219 (save $60 at Walmart): The larger face 44mm Watch SE (2nd Gen) is also on sale at Walmart in several colors.

Best Black Friday Apple Watch Ultra & Ultra 2 deals

Apple Watch Ultra 2 49mm: $700 (save $99 at Amazon): Amazon has select models of the Watch Ultra 2 discounted by almost $100, including the blue alpine loop.

FAQs

What is the best Apple watch?

ZDNET's tested top pick for the best Apple watch is the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 2, which athletes and product testers have lauded as the best Apple Watch ever made thanks to its rugged durability, large and bright display, long battery life, water resistance, and more.

Do Apple Watches track my AFib?

Yes, your Apple Watch, as long as it is a Series 6 or newer, can track your AFib, or irregular heartbeat. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently awarded medical device development tool (MDDT) status to the Apple Watch's atrial fibrillation (AFib) history tracker. The feature is first piece of digital health technology to earn MDDT status, the FDA said in a statement.

Also: Your Apple Watch's AFib history could soon be used in clinical studies

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9: Which is the better buy?

Both the new Watch Series 10 and last year's Series 9 are great watches, and ultimately, what's the better buy for you will come down to preference. We've already put these watches head to head, and think the main reasons you may choose to splurge on the newer Series 10 model really come down to these four factors: A lighter build and improved display, sleep apnea features, new finishes, and of course, price.

Also: Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Should you upgrade to the latest model?

What is the newest Apple Watch?

Apple has a lengthy lineup of its flagship tech wearable, with several iterations over the last few years. The newest watch release comes in the Apple Watch Series 10, which was released in September 2024. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) remains the most up-to-date base model, released in 2023, and the Ultra 2 the newest feature-packed option, released in 2023 and re-released in new finishes in 2024. With multiple models available, both old and new, you'll be sure to find a watch that fits your needs and your price point.

Are there any alternative smartwatches worth considering?

The Apple watch models are not the only options for smartwatches, despite their popularity. ZDNET has tested dozens of the best smartwatches and fitness trackers (also on sale ahead of Black Friday) so you can scope more alternative deals, including the Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Luxe, Google Pixel Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, and more.

Also: The best Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals 2024: Early sales live now

What does "trade-in" mean?

Similar to turning in an older cell phone to receive monetary credit towards purchasing a newer or more updated version, Apple and other major retailers often have options to "trade-in" other devices, like Apple watches.

When participating in a trade-in offer, you are providing your previously used item to the retailer in exchange for a predetermined amount of cash back that can be directly applied to your next item purchase of the same product. Eligible trade-in items and the cash back offered for each product is decided by each individual retailer and is often determined by factors such as age, condition, and functionality of the item being presented for trade-in. Apple recently decided to even bump up the amount they offer for trade-ins as well, too.

Also: Apple is paying more for your used Apple watches

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday always falls the day after Thanksgiving in the US. This year, Black Friday will be on Nov. 29, 2024.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, and the end of the "Cyber 5" savings week. This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024.

Are Apple Watch deals really better on Black Friday?

For the most part, yes. While we've seen plenty of offers on Apple watches throughout this year, including most recently during October Prime Day, Apple products don't frequently see major discounts, especially on newer products. For the most part, you can expect 10-20% in savings on Apple watches, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday create the best environment for these covetable wearables to be on sale for the largest margin and at as many retailers as possible (both online and in-person). Last year, we saw some of the first major discounts on the Watch Series 9 ahead of the 2023 holiday shopping season, so you may be able to score savings on the newest Watch Series 10 this year. We'll keep you posted.

Also: The best Black Friday Apple deals 2024: Early sales available now

What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Semantics, mostly. Black Friday traditionally refers to the day of savings that follows Thanksgiving, which at one point was an in-store only event. Over the years, Black Friday sales have expanded and lengthened to include online retailers, hence "Cyber Week" and "Cyber Monday." Cyber Monday refers to the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, and originally referred to online savings on lots of products. These days, both Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer similar savings in-store and online.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

Each holiday season, we carefully select the range of products we focus our coverage on, so we can be sure we're bringing you the best deals and the most information on products we're experts on. ZDNET also only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?

You can find Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals pretty much anywhere (that means in store and online). Popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Macy's, and more will all be offering holiday savings online and in their brick-and-mortar stores.