Every November, retailers unleash a wave of discounts in the lead-up to Black Friday, tempting shoppers with promises of huge savings on the latest tech. While it’s often seen as the ultimate time to buy gadgets, not every deal lives up to the hype. With many brands timing their promotions strategically—or skipping them altogether—it’s worth knowing which products are genuinely discounted and which ones are better bought another time.
The Nature of Black Friday Tech Discounts
Black Friday has evolved from a single day of frenzied in-store shopping into a weeks-long online and offline event. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart now start their “early access” sales as soon as late October. For consumers, this means more opportunities to grab deals—but also more confusion about what truly constitutes a bargain.
The biggest discounts tend to focus on mid-range or previous-generation tech. Last year, for instance, major savings appeared on 2022 model TVs, older iPads, and laptops with slightly outdated specs. Retailers use these products to clear inventory before the latest models take center stage for the holiday season. So, while you might score a solid deal, it’s often on gear that’s not quite the newest.
Apple: Small Discounts, Strategic Timing
Apple is famously stingy when it comes to price cuts. The company’s hardware rarely sees direct discounts through its own store. Instead, Apple often runs a “gift card promotion” during Black Friday—offering a $50 to $200 Apple Gift Card when purchasing select products.
However, third-party retailers like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy frequently step in with more appealing offers. AirPods and Apple Watches are common sale items, often dropping by 20–30%. MacBooks and iPads might see modest $100–$250 reductions, especially on older configurations. If you’ve been eyeing a brand-new iPhone, though, don’t expect a big discount—carriers may offer trade-in bonuses, but Apple itself almost never slashes iPhone prices.
Big Winners: TVs, Laptops, and Smart Home Devices
Televisions remain one of the most competitive categories for Black Friday deals. Major brands such as Samsung, LG, and Sony often cut prices significantly—sometimes by hundreds of dollars. Entry-level 4K TVs can dip pretty low, while higher-end OLED and QLED models may drop by 20–40%.
Laptops and gaming PCs are another area to watch. Retailers typically discount a mix of mainstream and gaming laptops, particularly from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and ASUS. Expect to see solid savings on mid-tier models and bundles that include accessories. Gaming consoles, however, can be tricky. Sony and Microsoft rarely cut console prices deeply, opting instead for bundle offers that include games or subscriptions.
Smart home tech—think smart speakers, plugs, and thermostats—is also a strong bet for discounts. Amazon’s Echo devices, Google Nest products, and Ring cameras often hit their lowest prices of the year. These products are heavily promoted because they tie users into their respective ecosystems, making deep discounts a long-term marketing investment.
The Tricky Middle Ground: Phones, Wearables, and Tablets
Smartphones, outside of older models, rarely see dramatic price drops. While you might find deals on last year’s Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, the newest releases tend to be excluded. Carriers may offer financing promotions or trade-in credits, but direct retail discounts remain slim.
Tablets follow a similar pattern. Amazon’s Fire tablets often plummet to half price, while iPads see moderate but worthwhile markdowns—especially on non-Pro versions. Wearables like Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches are typically discounted more aggressively, with savings up to 40%. Apple Watches, as mentioned earlier, usually get smaller cuts.
Hidden Gems: Accessories and Software
Beyond the big-ticket items, Black Friday is a fantastic time to stock up on smaller tech essentials. External hard drives, SD cards, wireless chargers, and headphones frequently hit rock-bottom prices. Subscription-based software and services—like Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, and VPNs—also see some of their best deals of the year.
Even premium audio brands like Bose, Sony, and JBL often join the fray, offering discounts on headphones, earbuds, and speakers. These tend to be reliable deals, as manufacturers use the season to stay competitive and clear inventory before releasing refreshed models in spring.
When Waiting Is Worth It
For many categories, waiting until Black Friday pays off—especially for TVs, smart home tech, and mid-range laptops. However, if you need the latest phone, MacBook, or flagship gadget, you might not gain much by holding out. Sometimes, waiting too long risks missing restocks or facing delivery delays, particularly for high-demand items.
Cyber Monday can also bring additional online-only discounts, but these are often extensions of the same deals. Historically, the real price drops happen in the lead-up to Black Friday weekend.
Verdict: Be Strategic, Not Impulsive
Black Friday tech deals can offer real savings—but only if you know what to expect. The biggest wins are often found in last year’s models and accessory categories, not necessarily the newest releases. While Apple remains resistant to deep discounts, retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart create enough competition to make November a solid time to upgrade your tech—just not the moment for every purchase.
