Apple Deals

See our Black Friday 2019 guide for all our predictions, info and analysis. Check Deals & Vouchers for the latest offers on now or follow us on Twitter @MSE_Deals.

Apple Watches aren't exactly MoneySaving, but if you're after one, Black Friday could be the cheapest time to buy if you don't mind getting one of the older models.

Last year, we found that there were no discounts on the Series 4 watch (the newest model at the time), as they'd only recently been released. In fact, we didn't really see any discounts on this model until the Series 5 was released in Sep 2019. However, we did see some discounts on the Series 3 watch. 

This year, we expect to see some decent discounts on the Series 4 and older models. Where retailers price-match each other, it's worth comparing the 'extras' that are included, eg, length of warranty or free music subscriptions.

A few examples of what we spotted last year:

Important: Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the Black Friday hype, and only ever buy what you need and can afford. Always do your own price comparisons to ensure you’ve found the best deal – don't just take a retailer's word for it.

If you want to try Apple TV+ (its new online video streaming service, designed to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime Video), you can bag a seven-day free trial if you've a valid Apple ID. Simply log in with your Apple ID and sign up for the free trial via iTunes, Apple’s website or the Apple TV app on your Apple device.

Warning: After the trial, you'll automatically be charged £4.99 every month until you cancel. So if you don't want to pay, remember to cancel the subscription before the seven days are up.

Get it free for a YEAR… if you've bought a new Apple device

If you've bought a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV box or Mac computer since Tue 10 Sep, you are eligible to get a whole year’s Apple TV+ for free. You need to have bought the device directly from Apple or an authorised Apple reseller to get the deal. To claim, simply log onto the Apple TV app with your Apple ID, and the offer should appear. See Apple’s website for full T&Cs.

See our Black Friday 2019 guide for all our predictions, info and analysis. Check Deals & Vouchers for the latest offers on now or follow us on Twitter @MSE_Deals.

In previous years, Apple* has dished out 'free' Apple gift cards with purchases of some items such as MacBook computers, iPads, iPhones and Apple Watch, and we predict it'll do the same or similar for Black Friday 2019 (Fri 29 Nov).

Note: Apple is rarely if ever the cheapest place to buy Apple products, so the bonus here is negligible compared with how much you might save shopping elsewhere. However, if you're going to buy direct from Apple anyway, doing it while this offer's on could still save you in the long run.

Apple's Black Friday 2018 deals (last year's prices):

• Up to £160 gift card when you bought: MacBook or MacBook Pro (from £1,249), MacBook Air (from £949), iMac (from £1,049), iMac Pro (from £4,899) or Mac Pro (from £2,999).
  
• Up to £80 gift card when you bought: 10.5in iPad Pro (from £619), iPad (from £319) or iPad Mini 4 (from £399).
  
• Up to £40 gift card when you bought: Series 3 Apple Watch (from £279), HomePod (from £319), selected Beats (from £169.95), iPhone 7 (from £499), iPhone 7 Plus (from £569), iPhone 8 (from £599) or iPhone 8 Plus (from £699).
  
• £20 gift card when you bought: Apple TV (from £149).
   

Is the deal any good?

Apple's Black Friday offer isn't a bad deal as such, but it's only really worth it if you want to buy direct and know you'll definitely buy direct from Apple again (Apple's gift cards have no expiry date). Though of course, you can often make an upfront saving instead by purchasing Apple products cheaper elsewhere.

Important: Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the Black Friday hype, and only ever buy what you need and can afford. Always do your own price comparisons to ensure you’ve found the best deal – don't just take a retailer's word for it.

Each summer, Apple invites kids aged 8-12yrs to sign up for a free three-day workshop or 'Summer Camp' hosted at its high street Apple Stores across the UK.

Registration for 2019 will open on Mon 24 Jun (sign up via Apple's website from then), but as spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, we're giving you a heads-up as you'll need to go quick.

In the meantime, see our School Holidays guide for more free activities.

What workshops are there?

Apple hasn't released full details yet, but it says that kids will be able to choose workshops on coding, music, filmmaking, or art and design.

In 2018 there were three workshops on offer, each lasting for 90 minutes per day over three consecutive days:

• Coding with Sphero robots. Kids were shown how to solve problems logically through the fundamentals of code.
• Beat making and songwriting with GarageBand. Kids discovered how to build their own songs using GarageBand on an iPad.
• Telling stories with Clips. Kids explored how to tell stories with video.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.

While buying an Apple iPhone is never MoneySaving, our Cheap iPhones guide explains the cheapest ways to get your hands on the latest iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, or how to get the - now cheaper - older iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

Read the full guide for the cheapest ways to buy an iPhone.

In 2017, Apple made all of its iWork programs free to download for all iMac, MacBook and iPhone/iPad users. Previously, you had to have bought a device recently.

See Free iWork apps for more info and download links.

What is iWork?

iWork is Apple's answer to the Microsoft Office suite of work programs, but created specifically for Mac computers and iOS devices. The package consists of three programs:

• Pages (for documents, like Microsoft Word)
• Numbers (for spreadsheets, like Microsoft Excel)
• Keynote (for presentations, like Microsoft Powerpoint)

If you're interested in learning a new creative skill, or would just some tips on how to get more from your iPad or Mac computer, Today at Apple programmes* are free educational workshops, mostly aimed at adults, running at all 30+ Apple Stores across the UK (find your nearest*).

Times and dates vary by location, so go to the Today at Apple website to find out what's on and when at your local branch. You can sign up to the workshops online using your Apple ID (the email and password you use to sign into Apple devices), then simply turn up on the day.

While most are for grown-ups, children can get involved at special Kids' Hour sessions held on weekends. As the sessions are aimed at owners of Apple technology, you may be asked to bring along your iPad or whatever gadget is needed for the activities.

Here's a quick guide to the different Apple Today programmes:

• Studio Hours - Topics include art/design, documents and presentations.
• Photo Walks - Guided walks on topics such as framing architecture or capturing action.
• Sketch Walks - Guided walks on observational drawing and brush techniques.
• Kids' Hour - Weekend sessions for families involving hands-on projects for kids.
• Coding Sessions - Beginner classes exploring code languages used by professionals.
• Photo Labs - Learn new techniques and styles in hands-on sessions.
• Music Labs - Designed to introduce new tools to musicians of all levels.

While iPads aren't MoneySaving, if you're going to buy one anyway, you should spend some time looking around for the cheapest deal. See our Cheap iPads guide for iPad buyers' tips, whether it's 'new vs refurbished' or buying direct from Apple compared with cheaper UK retailers.

If you've never used the iTunes streaming service Apple Music*, you can try it free for the first three months (normally £9.99 per month). Simply log in with your Apple ID and sign up* for the free trial in iTunes or via the Apple Music app on your Apple device.

Warning: After the trial, you'll automatically be charged £9.99 per month every month until you cancel. So if you don't want to pay, remember to cancel before the three months are up.

There are plenty of free music streaming services available, if you don't mind putting up with the ads. But if you want an ad-free service you'll need to stump up for it. With Apple Music Student Membership you can get a subscription for half the standard price, at £4.99/month (normally £9.99) – a strong deal given there's no free version of the service.

For a limited time, Apple Music Student subscribers can also watch Apple TV+ for free. The streaming service normally costs £4.99 a month.

How do I get the discount?

You need a Unidays account for Apple to verify your student status (it can't do this via NUS Extra unfortunately). Use up any new customer promos first though to maximise value – a three-month trial of Apple Music is available on an ongoing basis.

Apple says it "periodically" checks your student status, and if it finds out you're no longer a student or if you reach the maximum discount period (four years), it'll automatically move you to a full-price subscription at £9.99/mth. So make sure you cancel if you don't want this.

There are rarely big discounts available at Apple*, but don’t assume you can’t cut your costs on a new iPhone, iPad or Mac computer until you've checked the following tips and tricks.

• Student & teacher discount. If you're studying at university, or if you work in education at any level (lecturers, school teachers, office staff etc), you can save as much as 15% on Apple products such as iMas, MacBooks and iPads. See our Deals Hunters blog about the Apple Education Discount.
   
• Check for deals elsewhere. If you're not committed to buying direct from Apple, look for discounts at other places where Apple products are sold such as Amazon, Argos, Currys and John Lewis (John Lewis also offers a two-year guarantee, compared to the standard 12-month warranty).
   
• Time it right. If you're not fussed about having the very latest model, you can save money on Apple products by grabbing an older product as a new one's announced. This tends to happen in September, when Apple normally unveils a new iPhone and prices on previous models suddenly go down.
   
• Buying an iPad? See our Cheap iPads guide for tips on getting the best deal, including how to save money with refurbished iPads and cheap 4G data plans.


• Had a problem with Apple? There’s a free online tool you can use to complain – it helps draft, manage and if necessary escalate your complaint. It’s offered by a firm called Resolver, which we like so much we work with it to help people get complaints justice – you can use it to complain to Apple*.
  
  

If you spot any hot deals out there we have missed (we are human after all!), please let us know in the MSE forum, email us at msedeals@moneysavingexpert.com or via MSE Facebook and Twitter @MSE_Deals.