In September, Apple launched its latest line of smartwatches, introducing the first Watch Ultra ($799) along with the Series 8 ($399) and the new Apple Watch SE ($249). Every wearable has its own pros and cons associated with it, but the introduction of the high-end Ultra also means there are more Apple Watch models on the market now than ever before — and more deals to be struck.
But with all these options, which one should you choose? In general, you want to buy the latest watch you can afford so that you will continue to receive software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 9, rolled out to Apple Watch Series 4 and later models in September, though no one can say for sure if Series 4 will get its next big software update. Also, keep in mind that unlike some Apple products, the biggest discounts are usually for the latest models, not the latest ones.
Buying a watch from the latest generation (or later) ensures that you get a smartwatch with an updated design, a solid number of features, and a lot of sensors. And thankfully, now that the Series 3 is officially out of service (it’s long overdue), it’s hard to end up with a watch that will quickly feel outdated.
Now, let’s get into the deals.
Apple’s latest flagship smartwatch features watchOS 9 with crash detection and temperature sensors that enable menstrual cycle tracking — something you won’t find in any other model.
Apple’s latest flagship smartwatch features watchOS 9 with crash detection and temperature sensors that enable menstrual cycle tracking — something you won’t find in any other model.
The Apple Watch Series 8 isn’t a drastic departure from the Series 7, but it does offer fault detection and a number of iterative improvements that will make it the go-to model for many.
Apple Watch Series 8 is the latest wearable in Apple’s flagship series. It brings a new chipset (our colleague Victoria Song says it’s no faster than the previous iteration), new temperature sensors that allow for period tracking, crash detection, and a host of other improvements. While the minor improvements are welcome, the Series 8 isn’t much different from its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 7.
We recently saw the starting price of the base Apple Watch Series 8 drop to $329 ($70 off), which is currently going for the 41mm model with GPS at Amazon and Walmart. As for the larger 45mm model with GPS, it’s currently on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $359, which is a $70 discount and matches the watch’s lowest price yet.
If you’re looking for an LTE-enabled model, the 41mm configuration is available at Amazon and Walmart for $429 ($70). The $70 discount also applies to the 45mm model, which is selling at Amazon and Walmart now for $459.
If you can do without spotting and other Series 8 exclusives, the latest generation Series 7 is currently available at Walmart in select colors starting at $299 — about $100 off the original list price.
a: hover): shadow-light-franklin dark: (&> a: hover): shadow-high-light-franklin (&> a): shadow-underline-black dark: (&> a): shadow-underline- white” > Best Apple Watch SE deals
The new 2022 SE borrows some features from the Series 8, including the same chipset and crash detection, but it’s an otherwise subtle upgrade from the last-generation SE.
Apple’s entry-level wearable is a slight upgrade over the previous SE, though it does offer a faster chipset and takes advantage of many of watchOS 9’s features.
Apple’s first-generation Apple Watch SE serves as a step up from the now-discontinued Series 3, with similar features and a design more in line with the Series 6 from 2020.
The Apple Watch SE received an update in late 2022. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which is great, but with fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a slightly dated design compared to the Series 7 and Series 8. The omissions put this out of the running for some people, but this might be exactly what you’re looking for. Best of all, it starts at $249 for the 40mm Wi-Fi/GPS model, which is $30 less than the previous generation’s baseline cost. Choosing cellular connectivity brings the starting price to $299 for the 40mm size (44mm adds $20 per configuration).
Right now, the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS is available at Amazon for $219.99 ($30 off), which matches the wearable’s lowest price yet. The GPS-only 44mm model is available at Amazon for $249.99 ($30 off), or in the LTE-equipped configuration at Amazon for as low as $269.99. Note that in the case of the latter two configurations, Amazon will automatically apply the discount at checkout.
If you’re cool with getting the last-gen model, which lacks an always-on display and some of the more advanced bells and whistles found in newer Apple Watch models, Walmart is selling it in the basic configuration starting at just $149, a total of $130 off.
a: hover): shadow-light-franklin dark: (&> a: hover): shadow-high-light-franklin (&> a): shadow-underline-black dark: (&> a): shadow-underline- white” > Best Apple Watch Ultra deals
The Watch Ultra is the most powerful and capable Apple Watch available. It features a thicker and larger build than the Series 8, accurate GPS tracking, and sensors that can measure dive metrics. It only comes in one size and configuration, and it supports both GPS and LTE.
The big, thick, and capable Apple Watch Ultra launched at $799 with GPS and LTE support, and in case you weren’t aware, it has the most features, sensors, and ruggedness of any Apple Watch model available to date. The 49mm case houses a screen that could get brighter than the Series 8, a longer-lasting battery and more accurate GPS tracking, and it’s loaded with sensors that basically turn it into a guide for swimming and diving.
On the deal front, we recently saw the Apple Watch Ultra drop to an all-time low of $729.99. Right now, however, it’s only for sale at Amazon, where you can get it with one of three Alpine Loops for $779.99 ($20 off).
a: hover): shadow-light-franklin dark: (&> a: hover): shadow-high-light-franklin (&> a): shadow-underline-black dark: (&> a): shadow-underline- white” > A note about the more premium models
While all Apple Watch models and the colors covered here are clad in aluminum (except for the Ultra, which has a titanium case), Apple makes a more premium band made of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings are functionally and aesthetically similar to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly brushed colors and finishes—brushed for stainless steel and brushed for titanium. However, they start at much higher prices, at $749 and up. They can also often be found on sale, but they are never discounted below standard base models, so we don’t include them here.