Tech / Technology

The best Apple deals for October 2023: AirPods, iPads, and more

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Prime Day may have been two weeks ago, but you can still grab second-gen AirPods Pro at their Prime Day price of $189 or the iPad Air for its Prime Day price of $499.99. Plus, check out more of the best Apple deals as of Oct. 31.
Apple iPad Air

UPDATE: Oct. 31, 2023, 12:00 p.m. EDT We’ve updated this post with the best deals from across the Apple universe leading into Black Friday season. Here are our top picks:

Best Apple deals this week:
Best Mac deal

2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H
(Save $200)

space gray m2 macbook air

Best iPad deal

2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart
(Save $80)

a silver 2021 10.2 in ipad

Best iPhone deal

iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 on a new line with select unlimited plans
(Save up to $799)

black iphone 14 plus

Best Apple Watch deal

Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular)

$269 at Best Buy
(Save $30)

Apple Watch in pink.

Best AirPods deal

AirPods Pro

$189 at Walmart
(Save $60)

second generation airpods pro

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love ’em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or you just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple’s got you covered. Sure, they’re a little notorious for their high prices, but we’ve rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals


space gray m2 macbook air

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H (save $200)

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

$899 is no longer a particularly uncommon price to see this M2 MacBook Air at, yet we’re no less excited when we see it return to this all-time low price. That’s because for under $1,000 you get impressive M2 power, a 13.6-inch display (trust us, you’ll notice the difference from a 13.3-inch display), and a keyboard that Mashable’s Alex Perry described as “kingly.” Whether you’re a student, looking for a work-from-home workhorse, or looking for an everyday laptop to replace your old, dusty MacBook, we’re willing to bet you’ll be more than happy with the M2 Air.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

iPad deals


a gray 2021 10.2-in ipad

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart

Why we like it

Prime Day brought the ninth-generation iPad back down to its $249 low, and Amazon and Walmart have kept it there for two weeks after the sale’s conclusion. Though this isn’t the iPad for you if you’re planning on doing a bunch of gaming or art, for many people this budget-friendly tablet will be more than enough for note-taking and video streaming.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

SEE ALSO:

Are we getting new iPads this year? Probably, but they may disappoint you.

iPhone deals


black iphone 14 plus

Credit: Apple


Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799)

Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the shiniest new Apple toy, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren’t bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

Apple Watch deals


Apple Watch SE

Credit: Apple


Our pick: Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular)

$269 at Best Buy (save $30)

Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is a great option for those who don’t necessarily need all of the pricey bells and whistles that come with other Apple Watch models. You’ll get all the must-have features you need like health tracking, crash detection, Smart Stack, and emergency SOS options. Also, it’s $30 off at Best Buy, and we’ll never turn down a discount on the already-most-affordable Apple Watch.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

Series 8

Ultra

More Apple Watch deals

Apple accessories deals


second generation airpods pro

Credit: Apple


Our pick: AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart (save $60)

Why we like it

Read our full review of the second-generation AirPods Pro.

The AirPods Pro are some of the best noise-canceling buds in the business, and Walmart’s randomly decided to bring them back to their Prime Day (and record-low) pricing this week. At the time of writing, these buds are sold out at Amazon. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder wrote in his review that these AirPods are “the first pair of earbuds I’d actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones).”

More deals on Apple accessories

Tech / Technology

Target Black Friday deals are rolling in — shop deals and gift card promos

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Target’s Black Friday sale is live. New deals will drop every week, including a $259.99 50-inch QLED TV and over 50% off Sony headphones.
Chromebook in tent mode, Keurig, Beats headphones, and QLED TV on orange and pink abstract background

UPDATE: Oct. 30, 2023, 2:17 p.m. EDT Target’s Black Friday sale, which contains its biggest savings of the season, kicked off Oct. 29 and will span four weeks leading up to Black Friday. This story has been updated with the deals that are live so far.

Best early Target Black Friday deals:
Best Apple deal

9th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$269.99 at Target
(save $60)

Apple iPad with colorful blobs as screensaver

Best TV deal

Philips 50-inch QLED Roku TV

$259.99 at Target
(Special Purchase pricing plus save $20)

Philips TV with neon light abstract screensaver

Best headphones deal

Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass noise-canceling headphones

$119.99 at Target
(save $130)

Black Sony wireless headphones

Best toy deal

Toys from Play-Doh, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Our Generation, more

BOGO 50% off

Play-Doh dinosaur toy set in box

It’s news to no one that the “Black Friday” — singular day — nomenclature isn’t even close to an accurate depiction of how long Black Friday season actually spans. What’s still taking some getting used to, however, is Black Friday starting so early that we’re seeing the deals arranged alongside last-minute Halloween candy deals on a retailer’s home page.

Take Target, for example: It officially began releasing early Black Friday deals on Oct. 29, with new ones materializing in the following four weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend. All of this is part of what Target says are its best savings of the year. Best Buy is similarly ahead of the game.

SEE ALSO:

Best Buy Drops will tell you about high-profile product launches, limited edition bundles, and deals before they drop

If it feels like you were just reading about all of these deals Target was dropping, you were — Target Circle Week was just a few weeks ago. While the product categories seeing price slashes for Circle Week and Black Friday (TVs, video games, headphones, kitchen and cleaning appliances) are similar, you don’t need to be a Target Circle member to access a majority of Target’s early Black Friday deals as you did with Circle Week deals.

We’re keeping tabs on the best early Black Friday deals at Target as they show up:

Apple deals


Apple iPad with colorful blobs as screensaver

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 9th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$269.99 at Target (save $60)

Why we like it

The 9th generation iPad is already generally cheaper than its successor, the 10th generation — but to really rub it in, the 9th generation model is also seeing a better discount ($60 or 18% off versus just $50 or 11% off the 10th generation). This isn’t the iPad to choose if you plan on using your tablet for feature-intensive work like video editing or gaming, but for way less than $300, you’re still getting a solid device for casual everyday use. We’d recommend putting your savings toward the Logitech Crayon stylus, which is 15% off with this iPad purchase.

More Apple deals

TV and gaming deals


Philips TV with neon light abstract screensaver

Credit: Philips


Our pick: Philips 50-inch QLED Roku TV

$259.99 at Target (save $20)

Why we like it

A 50-inch 4K TV in the $259.99 realm is already a pretty dang good deal, let alone a QLED model. This Philips model is labeled as a special purchase, which means this is an item that may not be on Target’s website year-round and was listed at an already-low price just for the early Black Friday event. So while the 7% discount is hardly a Black Friday-level chunk off, the price is stellar to begin with.

QLED TVs feature quantum dots, which produce a much wider, brighter array of colors than non-QLED models, making colors noticably more vibrant. Because of their brightness, QLED TVs are particularly great for watching TV (especially sports) in the daylight. This particular Philips model is Dolby Vision compatible and has the Roku platform built in.

More TV and gaming deals

TVs and sound bars

Gaming

Headphone deals


Black Sony wireless headphones

Credit: Sony


Our pick: Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass noise-canceling headphones

$119.99 at Target (save $130)

Why we like it

Sony’s Extra Bass headphones aren’t for everyone — but anyone in the EDM or bass-heavy hip-hop crowd is going to be psyched to find them for over 50% off. Though these headphones specialize in low-end frequencies, they’re not so thumpy that the rest of the notes get completely drowned out, and tweaking the sound with EQ is an option. What does get drowned out, however, is background noise when ANC is on. You can also turn on Ambient Sound Mode to let background sound, like announcements at the airport, squeeze through.

More headphone deals

Toy deals


Play-Doh dinosaur toy set in box

Credit: Hasbro


Our pick: Toys from Play-Doh, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Our Generation, more

Buy one, get on 50% off at Target

Why we like it

Cross gifts for several kiddos off of your list with Target’s BOGO offer on a ton of toys spanning several age ranges. Shop learning, motor skills building, and problem-solving toys from B. toys and VTech, action figures from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jurassic World, Our Generation dolls and accessories, and all things Play-Doh.

More toy deals

More miscellaneous deals

Tech / Technology

Best charger deal: 3-in-1 Apple charger 2-pack for $25

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Get a pair of Apple chargers that charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch for $25.
3-in-1 charger on desk

TL;DR: As of October 29, get this 3-in-1 Apple Watch, AirPods & iPhone Charging Cable 2-pack for only $24.99 — that’s 64% off.

Staying connected is super important these days, and that isn’t possible without charged devices. Sometimes, keeping up with the battery status of your electronics can be a hassle. If you’re a proud owner of Apple devices, you likely rely on them often and understand the importance of keeping them charged and ready to go.

Many experts say that desk clutter can affect our mental health and productivity. This 3-in-1 charging cable can help you cut the cable clutter and maintain healthy charges across your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. And a two-pack of the cables is just $24.99 (reg. $69).

The Apple Watch charger claims to give you a fast charge (under 2.5 hours), so your go-to electronic assistant can be ready to take on the day with you in a flash. The other connectors can charge two Lightning devices, such as AirPods, iPads, or iPhones.

Because these charging cables are lightweight and compact, throwing one in your bag for your commute or when you travel is easy. And since you get two, you could keep one at home and one at work.

Certified by CE/ROSH, these cables offer peace of mind because they come outfitted with overcurrent, over-heat, and short-circuit protection to keep your devices safe.

Simplify your charging experience and elevate your connectivity with this two-pack of 3-in-1 Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone charging cables. You can even use one or both as a practical stocking stuffer for the Apple lover in your life.

Grab this two-pack of 3-in-1 Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone charging cables for just $24.99 (reg. $69) ahead of the holiday rush.

Prices subject to change.


3-in-1 charger

Credit: Triple Grade


3-in-1 Apple Watch, AirPods & iPhone Charging Cable (White/2-Pack)

$24.99 at the Mashable Shop

Tech / Technology

Apple Watch imports to the U.S. may get banned — 3 reasons why

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Apple’s signature smart watch may face some hurdles in getting imported to the U.S. soon.
Apple Watches on display

Not even Apple is immune to international trade regulations.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued an order that could prohibit Apple from importing Apple Watches to the United States, according to Reuters. The devices have been manufactured in China and Vietnam in recent years.

SEE ALSO:

New Apple AirPods Max expected to launch next year — 2 new features to watch out for

Why Apple Watch imports may be banned in the U.S.

You may be wondering how could Apple, arguably the most prominent tech company in the U.S., could find itself in such a sticky situation? Allow us to break down why the popular wearable from the Cupertino-based tech giant is potentially in jeopardy.

1. Infringement of a medical tech company

At the root of all this is a medical tech company called Masimo. In January, a U.S. judge ruled in Masimo’s favor regarding Apple’s infringement on a Masimo patent for “light-based pulse oximetry functionality and components,” according to a Reuters report. The layman’s terms, this feature is blood-oxygen tracking, which was introduced alongside the Apple Watch Series 6 launch.

This actually isn’t the first time Apple has been found in violation of another company’s patents, specifically with Apple Watch. Last December, the ITC ruled that Apple infringed upon patents held by a company called AliveCor with the Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) tech, though that particular ban order is currently on hold.

2. Failure of a presidential veto

Obviously, Apple’s alleged wrongdoing is the chief reason why Apple Watch imports may be banned. There is a way out for Apple, though it’s not a dependable one.

According to Reuters, the Biden administration has 60 days to issue a veto to the import ban order. However, this rarely happens, and so far, there’s no indication that it will occur this time. Apple can only cross its fingers and hope for the best on that front.

3. A rejection of Apple’s appeal

That said, there is one more potential out for Apple in this case. Once that 60-day review period is over, Apple is free to file an appeal, as is the norm with legal cases like this.

But obviously, it’s way too early to tell if Apple’s appeal (and the company said it will continue efforts to appeal in a statement to Reuters) will work. It’s also impossible to know, at this moment, which Apple Watch models would be impacted by this ban order if it does go through. These things take time.

In the meantime, Apple should maybe find a way to implement new features without allegedly infringing on other company’s patents.

Tech / Technology

Save $100 on Apple AirPods Max at Best Buy with your My Best Buy membership.

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Take $100 off Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones when you shop with your My Best Buy membership at Best Buy today, Oct. 27.
A man wears Apple AitPods Max while using a laptop

SAVE $100: Today at Best Buy, Apple AirPods Max headphones are on sale for $449.99 in an exclusive deal for My Best Buy members. This takes the price down from $549.99, for 18% in savings.


Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones

Credit: Apple


Apple AirPods Max

$449.99 at Best Buy (save $100)

Rumor has it that the Apple AirPods Max headphones are getting an upgrade in 2024.

While we’re eagerly anticipating the launch of speculated new features such as new colors and a USB-C charging port, we also know that these headphones have never been known for being cheap, especially when it comes to launch time. That’s why it’s worth considering scooping up the 2020 model while it’s on sale. As of Oct. 27, Apple AirPods Max headphones are on sale for $449.99 in a My Best Buy members-only deal. This takes $100 off the list price, bringing the cost down 18% from $549.99.

If you’re not already a My Best Buy member, you can sign up today in order to take advantage of the deal. There are different membership tiers to choose from: My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total. A yearly Plus membership will cost you $49.99, while a yearly Total membership will cost $179.99. Both plans give shoppers access to members-only deals, and one plan does not receive more savings than the other. Instead, the Total plan offers members 24/7 tech support, VIP member support, and 20% off all repairs. If you signed up for a Plus membership at checkout with your Apple AirPods Max purchase, you would still save $50.

Whether you’re already a My Best Buy member or you’re just signing up, score a pair of Apple AirPods Max at this low price today before the savings ends.