6 Ways to Save on Apple Devices and Beat Inflation

Apple’s M2 devices are arriving, and more are expected later in the year, along with new versions of the iPhone, and the Apple Watch, among others. If the news makes you excited to buy a new Apple device, you may be looking for a way to drop the price down to more manageable levels – especially if you feel like money doesn’t go as far as it used to. So allow us to give some good news: There are still ways to save on Apple devices, especially with a little planning. Continue reading to learn about the current best options!
Trade in Your Old Apple Devices
This is one of the easiest ways to save on a new Apple purchase and can often help you save more than any other method. Apple has a full trade-in platform that's easy to use and lets you receive a free box to mail in your old device after wiping it. You'll get a credit to your Apple account when the trade-in is processed, and you can use it to purchase your new device, easy peasy!
Trade-in amounts can vary a lot based on the device and how old it is, but it's common to get at least $100 in credit, or much more for larger, newer devices. An iPhone 12 standard model, for example, can net you up to $420. The downside is that you'll need to store important data elsewhere and wipe your device before trading. You'll also need to factor in the wait times while shipping and stay patient. You can trade with other sites too, but Apple itself generally gives the best bang for your buck.
Go the Refurbished Route
The difference between “refurbished” and “used” is that refurbished products are professionally processed, which involves cleaning and repairs to get products back in perfect working order. This is no dubious third-party shop down the street: Apple has its own guaranteed refurbished product program that you can shop right from their site to spot any great deals. It’s a very effective method of getting even the newer Apple products for big discounts, averaging around $200 off for iPhone 11 models and so on. Plus, you can combine it with your trade-in credit to save even more.
This is a great choice for those who are using Apple devices that are several years old or more and decide it’s time for an upgrade. The downside is that the newest models usually aren’t available, as there isn’t time for a refurbished market to grow until it’s been a couple of years. You could also try looking for used iPhones to save even more. These pop up everywhere, from eBay to dedicated sites like Swappa and Gazelle. That’s a viable option for those who want to save as much as possible, but otherwise, it’s difficult to recommend. These iPhones aren’t professionally refurbished, quality and security are harder to guarantee, and popular models usually aren’t available.
Tap Into the Official Discount Programs
Can you prove that you’re a student (college or higher), educator, or otherwise part of the staff at an education organization? Then you probably qualify for Apple’s student discount. This can help you save a couple of hundred dollars on Apple devices too, and the application process is very straightforward. The downside is that this is limited to Macs and iPads, so you won’t be able to pick up a new iPhone with this option. The good news is that, unlike refurbished products, the education discount applies to the very latest Apple devices, so you can snag new 2022 models.
But wait! That’s not the only discount option that Apple provides. If you can verify your status as a military member or veteran, you can receive a 10% discount on any products that you may buy directly from Apple. Similar deals are extended to government employees for some devices.
Look for Store Deals Around the Holidays
Apple itself is notorious for not offering discounts on its products, except for a couple of limited choices for back-to-school buyers and similar situations. But other retailers aren’t as stoic when it comes to discounting Apple products, which means you can find deals on the latest products by looking at stores like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and many others. The key is knowing what to expect.
First, these retailer deals are limited-time options that typically occur only around the holidays, especially times like Black Friday, as well as three-day weekend holidays (also mark down Amazon Prime Day, which generally happens in the summer).
Second, these deals can take many forms. Few of them are straight percentage discounts, although that can happen. More often, new Apple products are bundled with gift cards or an additional free device. That makes saving money a little trickier, but if it’s something you planned on buying anyway – or you use the gift cards for necessities – then it’s still roundabout savings.
Use Currency and Regional Differences
If you’re a frequent traveler or don’t have a problem purchasing internationally (perhaps with the help of a VPN), you have access to an additional option not everyone can try: You see, Apple, like many companies, sets different prices in different regions around the world to match local buying power and other factors.
If the exchange rate of your currency is favorable compared to one of these regions, you may be able to save a significant amount of money just by buying in a different country. Unfortunately, this all requires annoying financial math.
There is an alternative: The website Apple Compass will automatically find out how much you can save if you want to buy in a different country. Unfortunately, it only works for a few models, and prices for those models tend to be the cheapest in the United States, so this tool is better for those living in Europe or other locations. Otherwise, you may want to pull up the latest currency conversions to see if you can find any savings on your own.
Don’t Forget to Use Your Apple Card
When possible, use your Apple Card to make purchases, especially from the Apple Store. Apple gives a 3% discount on any of its products if you purchase them with your Apple Card!