Apple is getting ready to launch its annual Shopping event lasting four days on Friday, November 25, but don’t get too excited. Apple will once again offer gift cards for new purchases, but its newest products will not be included.
As expected, the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra, M2 iPad Pro, Apple TV 4K, and 10th-gen iPad aren’t included in the sale, but there are some other puzzling exclusions as well. The 3rd-gen AirPods with the MagSafe charging case aren’t included, as well as AirTags, HomePod mini, and Mac Studio. Here’s a list of products included in this promotion.
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12, or iPhone SE: $50
- AirPods (2nd gen), AirPods (3rd gen) with Lightning Charging Case: $25
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation): $50
- AirPods Max: $75
- Apple Watch SE $50
- iPad Air, iPad mini: $50
- iPad (9th gen): $30
- Mac mini: $100
- M1/M2 MacBook Air and iMac $150
- MacBook Pro 13″: $200
- MacBook Pro, 14-inch/16″ $250
- Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (2nd gen), MagSafe Duo Charger: $25
- Magic Keyboard $50
A $50 gift card can be used on Beats Studio3 Wireless or Solo3 Wireless, Powerbeats Pro and Fit Pro. The Flex headphones will also be available with a $25 card.
The standouts in the sale are the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch SE, both of which net you $50 gift cards and are better than the actual sales we’re likely to see at other retailers. And getting a $200 gift card for the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a solid return too since most discounts we’re tracking are $100 or $150 off.
However, sales are generally worse than last. Excluding the AirPods model most people want is a head-scratcher—especially since it’s been on sale for more than a year—and it’s frustrating that Apple is leaving out the iPad Pro completely. Likewise for the 1st-gen Apple Pencil, since it’s the only stylus compatible with the 10th-gen iPad. It would be a compelling purchase if Apple gave $50 off the Apple TV 4K last year.
For most of the products here, you’ll be able to find actual discounts that are better than the gift cards Apple is giving out. We’ll be tracking all of the sales throughout the weekend, so be sure to check Macworld before you press that buy button—at Apple or anywhere else.
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