Black Friday 2025: Apple iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch hit record low prices

Black Friday 2025 has delivered one of the busiest shopping weeks for Apple products in recent years, with mobile networks driving the biggest savings on the newly launched iPhone 17 series.

While Apple discounts tend to stay modest through most of the year, this season has broken that pattern. Major carriers in the US, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, have turned the iPhone 17 into the centrepiece of their holiday offers, with trade-in credit deals pushing some top models down to no upfront cost for customers opening fresh lines.

At Verizon, the iPhone 17 Pro and the larger Pro Max variant are reportedly available without a device payment when paired with Unlimited Ultimate plans. The basic iPhone 17 model is also being offered through MyPlan with no trade-in needed, as long as a new line is added.

AT&T has matched the momentum, rolling out trade-in credits worth up to US$700 on most iPhone 17 storage options. The iPhone Pro model is expected at zero cost with eligible older devices exchanged. Buyers trading in high-tier phones can reportedly bring the Pro Max down with credits as high as US$1,100.

T-Mobile has introduced a similar structure. Customers on select unlimited plans can reportedly pick up the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro without a device payment after exchanging used phones. The Pro Max can reportedly drop by US$1,100 in credits for high-value trade-ins.

More Apple hardware drops too

Beyond smartphones, Amazon has offered one of the widest non-carrier savings, especially on accessories and wearables. Apple’s AirPods 4 earbuds, priced at US$129 at launch, were spotted at US$69, close to a 47 percent saving. Shoppers lining up for earbuds have described the price cut as the strongest on an Apple audio product this year.

The 11-inch iPad Pro carrying the freshly released M5 chip has surfaced at US$899 at select online stores, marking a 10 percent saving from its US$999 debut price. The tablet’s Ultra Retina XDR display and 256GB storage variant appear to be the most sought-after configuration.

The budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 has also slipped under the US$200 mark at some retailers, sitting at US$199 after a 20 percent saving. Carriers are adding their own hooks, with Verizon offering the Watch SE 3 at no cost when paired with a device trade-in on select unlimited plans. AT&T has also introduced a ‘two-watch’ deal, offering US$300 off the second wearable purchase.

A season of carrier-led savings

With phone networks absorbing much of the discount load, analysts tracking the Black Friday cycle describe the trend as carrier-dominated, rather than retail-driven. Unlike direct price markdowns, the economy for iPhone 17 has largely come through credits, bundled plans and fresh subscriptions.

Shoppers still hunting for older models may find savings in the 5-20 percent range across iPads, AirTags, accessories and standard wearables. But this year’s surprise remains the iPhone 17, which has redefined what a ‘good Apple discount’ looks like during the holiday window.