Black Friday Apple Watch deals that I (a wearable technology expert) have selected for you

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Which Should You Buy?

If you’re checking out the Apple Watch Black Friday sales but are having trouble deciding between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10, let us break down the difference for you.

The Series 9 is last year’s mainstream Apple Watch model, while the Series 10 is new for 2024. The Series 10 display is larger across the board, 42mm and 46mm versus 41mm and 45mm. However, it has a thinner case that sits more comfortably on the wrist.

It’s equipped with a faster, newer chip that improves longevity and future software updates, and there’s also a titanium option where the Series 9’s premium finish is stainless steel. One of the biggest upgrades is the Series 10’s improved OLED display, which is 40% brighter when viewed from the side.

Finally, the Series 10 is more waterproof than the Series 9.

Of course, the Series 9 is cheaper due to its age, but it also receives some more generous discounts. In contrast, most retailers only offer around 5-10% off the Apple Watch Series 10.

If you’re looking for last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 this Black Friday, you can score great savings in the US. It doesn’t have the redesigned body or fast charging capability of the Series 10, but it’s still an excellent watch with the advanced S9 chipset that allows connectivity with newer iPhones and takes advantage of Ultra Wideband technology introduced last year.

The best we’ve seen in the US is a 30% savings over the 41mm Series 9, now just $279.99 down from $399.99 at Amazon. You can also find savings on the 45mm case version at the same link, now down to $306.89.

This deal for the brand new Apple Watch Series 10 is too good to be true. You can save a whopping $70 on the 42mm model at Walmart (which brings the price down from $399 to $329) and the larger 46mm models (from $429 to $359) in the color variants Jet Black or Rose Gold. Since this is a watch that only came out in September, both are at their lowest prices ever for their size.

A top-down redesign Apple Watch Series 10 is currently the thinnest and lightest Apple Watch on the market, with the largest screen area and, thanks to its new curved design, even surpasses the Apple Watch Ultra despite the smaller case. It has built-in ECG and sleep apnea detection, is easier to read at a glance, and can now charge the battery up to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Should I buy an Apple Watch SE on Black Friday?

The Apple Watch SE 2or SE (2nd Generation), as it is also called, is the best Apple Watch for most people. It does everything people expect from an Apple Watch, including calls, texts, emails, third-party apps, and so on. It uses the same watchOS 11 software as all other current Apple Watches, while also offering solid workout tracking comparable to the best fitness trackers.

However, since it is the cheapest model in the series, it lacks a few bells and whistles. The battery life of 18 hours is the same as that of the Apple Watch Series 10, but the watch lacks the practical quick-charging function of the 10. Unlike the Apple Watch Series 9 and 10, it does not have the advanced S9 or S10 chipsets. These give you hands-free “double-tap” motion control, making the 9 and 10 Series computers faster and more powerful on your wrist.

However, most people just want a cool Apple Watch that gets the job done at a reasonable price, and we can highly recommend the Apple Watch SE 2.

Next up is the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) or SE 2. The Apple Watch SE 2 is almost the opposite of the huge, titanium-wrapped Apple Watch Ultra 2 discussed below: not a super-modern watch at a premium price point: It is a new watch made from slightly older parts and sold at a lower price. For most people, it’s the best value Apple Watch, even at full price.

Currently, you can purchase the smaller 40mm GPS-only Apple Watch SE 2 in the Starlight aluminum case for just $149 on Amazon, a huge savings of $100. This is the lowest price this hugely popular watch has ever had, making it an unbeatable deal this year. The larger 44mm version is also down from $279 to $199 on Amazon.

Should I buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Black Friday?

Should you buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Black Friday? Well, if you’re an iPhone user who wants longer battery life, a bigger and better screen (although this is partially mitigated by the incredible screen on the cheaper Apple Watch Series 10, but more on that later), and advanced workout metrics, then this is the right choice The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a solid purchase.

We named it the best smartwatch on the market for good reason: It’s a powerful workhorse with a built-in dive computer, high-precision GPS (supposedly it’s incredibly accurate for running around town), and programmable action button. The titanium body and safety features like the emergency siren and 36-hour battery life set it apart from the standard Apple Watch.

Without a charge, it won’t last for a whole weekend, especially if you do GPS training sessions that put a significant strain on battery life. However, if you enjoy running, cycling, diving, or the great outdoors in any form, this is the best Apple Watch for you, especially at a 10% discount. If you don’t care about any of that, maybe it’s not for you.

US Deal: First up, we’ve got this top deal on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black, down from $799 to $719 at Best Buy (and price matched at Amazon), saving you $80. The coolest thing about this offering is that it comes in the new for 2024 satin black color, complete with the matching black Ocean band. There aren’t usually any significant discounts on new watches, so this is a welcome surprise.

Even though it’s last year’s model with a new coat of paint, the Ultra 2 is currently the best smartwatch on the market and doesn’t typically get big discounts. So if you’ve got your eye on the Apple Watch, it’s definitely worth picking this up to make Ultra 2 users jealous.

With the chunky nature of the watch and its sturdy black titanium case, it looks like the kind of watch Batman might wear. We love it at this price: This satin black Apple Watch Ultra 2 deal made an otherwise over-the-top and expensive strap piece 10% cheaper and 100% cooler.