Apple isn’t known for hosting sales, so it’s important to take advantage of discounts offered by a third-party retailer. In this case, that’s Amazon. Apple’s sales this Prime Day include some of our top-rated devices, including MacBooks, AirPods, and iPads. We’ve also added some of our favorite accessories that are on sale. In addition to Apple’s sales, we’ve got you covered on all things Prime Day with our Absolute Best Amazon Prime Day Deals list, as well as a few smaller articles featuring sales on our favorite Amazon devices and laptops.
We’ve tested products throughout the year to handpick these best deals, and we’ll update this guide regularly throughout the sale period.
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Apple Deals
The latest M3-equipped MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommended) isn’t all that different from the M2-equipped version. It has the same 13.6-inch LCD screen (with a 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of maximum brightness), a 1080p webcam in a notch at the top of the display, and a variety of ports (two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe port for charging). The M3 chip, which debuted late last year, isn’t a huge step up from the previous processor, but it does offer a significant performance boost over the original M1. It also lets you use two external displays simultaneously with the lid closed (an upgrade from the single external display on the older chip). It’s easy to hit this price, but we still think it’s a bargain, especially if you’re looking for a reliable, lightweight laptop for everyday use.
You can get these Pro models at even bigger discounts on Amazon by clipping the coupon on the page. While the M4-powered MacBook is coming soon, the MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max are still great choices, having been on the market for less than a year. Both sizes have bright Mini LED screens, 120Hz refresh rates, and 1080p webcams. Most importantly, they also have plenty of ports, including three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, HDMI, SD card slot, high-impedance headphone jack, and MagSafe charging port. With so many different configurations available, it can be hard to know which one to choose. For mid-level content creators who want a laptop that’s easy to carry for travel, we recommend the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max (9/10, WIRED Recommended) is a great option if you want a large display and great battery life.
The M2-equipped iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommended) was launched in May and is already on sale. You can choose between an 11-inch display and a new, larger 13-inch display. I use the latter as a secondary display while working and to watch TV before bed. It’s also a bit brighter, with a resolution of 2,732 x 2,048 pixels and the ability to reach a peak brightness of 600 nits in standard dynamic range. Like its predecessor, it has slim bezels, a USB-C port, and Touch ID built into the power button on top. Thankfully, Apple has moved the front 12 MP camera to landscape orientation. The M2 chip offers smooth performance even when running a number of apps at the same time. Despite the larger size, the battery life remains the same, lasting about six hours on a busy day.
Apple’s AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommended) delivers great sound with a vast soundstage, rich bass, and great noise cancellation. They’re well-built, with a bouncy mesh headband and soft cloth ear cups (that are also replaceable). What we particularly like is the Apple Watch-like volume knob that lets you adjust the volume. We also like how well these headphones integrate with iOS devices. You can switch between devices (like your iPhone and MacBook) without having to manually navigate through the Bluetooth settings. While this sale only applies to the Space Gray colorway (for now), it’s the cheapest price we’ve seen so far on these headphones. Other colors are on sale at Amazon for $449 ($71 off). They often drop to this price, but it’s still a bargain. Be aware, though, that rumors suggest a new version of the AirPods Max is likely coming later this year. But it seems the only big change is the addition of a USB-C port instead of Lightning. So if that’s very important to you, we recommend waiting to buy one.
The Series 9 (7/10, WIRED Review) is currently our favorite Apple Watch in our best Apple Watches guide. It looks the same as the Series 8, but it has some upgrades, including faster performance, a brighter display, and better battery life. It also has a double-tap feature, allowing you to trigger functions like playing music or ending a call with a simple tap of your index finger and thumb. It also supports WatchOS 11 (coming later this year), giving you access to new features like tracking your health metrics at a glance with the Vitals app and measuring performance improvements with a new training load algorithm. However, it is important to note that due to a patent dispute, Apple has disabled the blood oxygen sensor on models sold directly through its own store. However, this is not the case if you buy the smartwatch through a third-party retailer such as Amazon.
More great deals on Apple gadgets and accessories
Below are some noteworthy deals on other Apple gadgets and accessories, all WIRED-approved.
Photo: Apple