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Apple just updated the Apple Watch in September, and there are few deals on current Series 4 models because the devices are brand new. A couple of carriers are offering discounts tied to carrier activation, but beyond that, there aren't price cuts to be had on the new Apple Watch.

Many retailers are discounting the older Apple Watch Series 3, though, so if you don't mind missing out on the new bells and whistles like a slimmer chassis and a wider display, you can get a great deal on a previous-generation Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Series 4

Sprint is discounting the Apple Watch Series 4 by $100 when customers add a line onto a qualifying service plan. The discount is delivered in the form of a $4.17 credit over the course of 24 months.

T-Mobile is offering a buy one, get one offer on Apple Watch Series 4, where you can buy one Series 4 at full price and get a second one for $200 off when you add a DIGITS line. The discount will be delivered via 24 monthly bill credits when both watches are bought on a monthly payment plan with a DIGITS line.

Apple Watch Series 3

Target is offering an $80 discount on both the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS only models and the Apple Watch Series 3 LTE models.

That drops the starting price of the GPS models to $199.99, and the starting price of the LTE models to $299.99. Starting prices refer to the 38mm aluminum Apple Watch, with prices going up for other casing materials and the larger 42mm size.

Macy's is also offering the Apple Watch Series 3 LTE and Wi-Fi only models with an $80 discount, and this one is a bit cheaper than Target's offer. Macy's has the 38mm GPS only model priced at $199.00 and the price of the 38mm LTE model is $299.00. 42mm versions are $30 more expensive.

At Apple, you can get a $50 Apple Store gift card with any purchase of the Apple Watch Series 3. The deals are available via Apple.com, by phone at 1-800-APPLE, and at Apple Stores in the United States. Gift card values vary in other participating countries.

Apple Watch Accessories

• Southern Straps Apple Watch Bands - Buy two Apple Watch bands, get a free nylon band
• Third-party Milanese Loop - $9.99 from Groupon
• Casetify Apple Watch Bands - 15% off orders over $35, 25% off orders over $75, 30% off orders over $100 with promo code BF18P
• HiRise Duet for iPhone and Apple Watch - $60, down from $120
• Twelve South Forte Apple Watch Stand - $30, down from $60

We've got Black Friday deals on Apple's entire product lineup along with a long list of sites that are offering additional discounts on accessories, so for a full list of everything that you can get at a discount today, make sure to check out our full Black Friday roundup. Have you found a better deal on the Apple Watch? Make sure to share it in the comments and feel free to email us at tips@macrumors.com.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Though the iPhone lineup was just refreshed in September and October with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, carriers and third-party retailers are offering a selection of deals on the new smartphone.

Unfortunately, iPhone deals rarely come without strings attached, so to get one of these discounts, be prepared to purchase a device on a carrier installment plan and make sure to read all of the fine print when signing up.

iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

Walmart has the best deal on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, offering a $300 Walmart gift card with the purchase of one of these new devices. The iPhones must be purchased on a qualifying AT&T Next, Sprint, or Verizon device payment plan, ruling out T-Mobile.

Walmart's deal is valid in Walmart retail stores only, so you're going to need to venture out in Black Friday crowds to get it. Walmart opens at 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

If you prefer to shop at Target, you can get a $250 Target gift card with the purchase of an iPhone XS or XS Max on Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T. Once again, an activation plan is required, with 24 months of installment payments.

For those who want straight cash, Best Buy is offering a $150 discount on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR with qualified activation.

iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X

Walmart also has the best deal on the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X, offering an even larger $400 Walmart gift card with the purchase of one of these devices. The iPhones must be purchased on a qualifying AT&T Next, Sprint, or Verizon device payment plan, ruling out T-Mobile.

As mentioned above, Walmart's deal is valid in Walmart retail stores only. Walmart opens at 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

For those who prefer to shop at Target, the retailer is offering a $150 Target gift card with the purchase of a device on a Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile activation plan.

If you want a straight cash discount, Best Buy is offering a $200 discount on the iPhone X with qualified activation.

Apple's iPhone Deals

Apple is offering a $50 Apple Store gift card with the purchase of a SIM-free iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus starting Black Friday through Cyber Monday. The deal does not apply to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR, purchases via the iPhone Upgrade Program, or carrier-locked iPhones.

The deals are available via Apple.com, by phone at 1-800-APPLE, and at Apple Stores in the United States. Gift card values vary in other participating countries.

Carrier Deals

There are specific carrier deals on some of Apple's newest iPhones as well, for those who prefer going with a carrier discount.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering the iPhone XR at no cost when activating two lines and trading in an eligible smartphone.

Verizon

With the purchase of an iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, or X, Verizon is offering a $100 discount for existing customers and a $300 discount when adding a new line. A trade-in of an older device is required, and the phone must be purchased on a device payment plan.

Sprint

Sprint is offering a free iPhone XR with the lease of an iPhone XS, XS Max, or X. The deal requires two new lines or one new and one upgrade, along with an 18-month lease.

Deals on iPhone-Related Accessories

• Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones - $179.99 from Target, down from $299.99
• Powerbeats 3 Wireless - $99.99 from Best Buy, down from $199.99
• BeatsX headphones - $75.00 from Walmart, down from $109
• Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II - $299, down from $349 from Jet
• Select Belkin charging products - 30% off from Target
• Apple iPhone cases - 10% off from Best Buy
• Incipio iPhone cases - 40% off
• Griffin iPhone accessories - 40% off
• Incase iPhone cases - 50% off
• Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves - 25% off with coupon code #macrumors
• Nimble battery packs and wireless chargers - 20 to 30% off
• Speck iPhone cases - 30% off
• Casetify iPhone cases - 15 to 30% off
• RAVPower Qi-Certified 7.5W Fast Wireless Charger - $23.99 with code 4CYG3T3L, down from $29.99
• RAVPower 6,700 mAh External Battery Packs with Dual USB Wall Charger - $22.94 with code MXTFAJRA, down from $26.99
• Twelve South PowerPic Wireless Charger - $70, down from $80
• Twelve South Journal for iPhone XS/XR - $45 to $65, down from $70 to $80
• Bookbook for iPhone - $40, down from $60
• HiRise Duet for iPhone and Apple Watch - $60, down from $120
• HiRise Deluxe 2 for iPhone - $30, down from $60

More Black Friday Deals

We've got Black Friday deals on Apple's entire product lineup along with a long list of sites that are offering additional discounts on accessories, so for a full list of everything that you can get at a discount today, make sure to check out our full Black Friday roundup. See additional discounts on the iPad that are worth sharing? Make sure to mention them in the comments and feel free to email us at tips@macrumors.com.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Apple's HomePod is now nine months old, and one of the best all-around deals this Black Friday is a $100 discount on the Siri-based smart speaker at Best Buy. With this sale, you can get the HomePod for $249.99, down from $349.99. Space Gray and White are both available, but Space Gray appears to be sold only in stores and White is available both in stores and online.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Best Buy's Black Friday sale represents the lowest-ever straight discount offered on HomePod, beating out regular $50 discounts at retailers like Costco and sales that dipped to around $280 for the speaker during eBay's sitewide sales over the past few months. If you've been interested in HomePod but hesitant due to its price, definitely visit Best Buy and check out the sale before it expires on Saturday, November 24.

Best Buy is the only retailer offering a discount on a new HomePod this Black Friday. If you're on the hunt for other AirPlay 2 speakers, check out our Black Friday Roundup for sales on Sonos One and more.

Update: If you have a Costco membership, they have the HomePod for $80 off in White and Space Gray

Apple's four-day Black Friday shopping event has now begun in the United States, offering customers free Apple Store gift cards worth up to $200 with the purchase of select new Apple products.

Apple Store gift card values:

• iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and old MacBook Air without a Retina display: $200
  

• 10.5-inch iPad Pro: $100
  

• iPad mini 4 and sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad: $50
  

• SIM-free iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus: $50
  

• Apple Watch Series 3 models: $50
  

• HomePod: $50
  

• Apple TV 4K and fourth-generation Apple TV: $25
  

• Beats Solo3, Powerbeats3, and Studio3: $50

There is a limit of two Apple Store gift cards per product category per customer.

What doesn't qualify:

• Apple's latest products, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, new MacBook Air with Retina display, new Mac mini, Apple Watch Series 4 models, and new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models
  

• Refurbished products
  

• Apple products purchased with educational discount
  

• iPhones purchased via iPhone Upgrade Program
  

• Non-SIM-free iPhones
  

• Special edition Beats headphones

The deals are available via Apple.com, by phone at 1-800-APPLE, and at Apple Stores through November 26, which is Cyber Monday, an increasingly popular online-focused shopping holiday that follows Black Friday.

Apple's event is also live in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and select other countries.

Black Friday marks one of the few times in a year that Apple offers deals on its products. Be sure to read our Black Friday roundup for several other deals on Apple products and accessories, with larger discounts in many cases.

Micro Center will be offering $99 to $149 off the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models starting on Black Friday, according to an advertisement emailed out by the electronics retailer today. This is the best deal we've seen on the new iPad Pro lineup released earlier this month.

The discounts include:

• $99 off the new 11-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi only and 64GB of storage. Now $699.99, down from Apple's regular price of $799.
  

• $149 off the new 11-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi only and 256GB of storage. Now $799.99, down from Apple's regular price of $949.
  

• $99 off the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi only and 64GB of storage. Now $899.99, down from Apple's regular price of $999.
  

• $149 off the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi only and 256GB of storage. Now $999.99, down from Apple's regular price of $1,149.

Micro Center says the deal will be available at its retail stores only and limited to one per household. The official Apple Authorized Reseller has 25 locations across the United States, with hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

For emphasis, the deal is not available on Micro Center's website. Supplies are likely extremely limited, so we recommend calling ahead if you are planning on visiting one of their stores. The offer is valid from Black Friday through Sunday.

Micro Center stores continue to offer $200 off select new MacBook Air with Retina display configurations as well - another impressive deal.

Keep an eye on our Black Friday roundup for additional iPad deals through Cyber Monday. We've also highlighted deals on iPhones, Macs, Apple Watches, Beats, and several other Apple products and accessories.

(Thanks, Dilgreene!)

Apple's four-day Black Friday shopping event is now live in Australia and New Zealand, offering customers free Apple Store gift cards worth up to A$280 or NZ$320 with the purchase of select new Apple products.

Apple offers up to a $70 gift card in Australia and up to an $80 gift card in New Zealand with the purchase of select older iPhone models, including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. As usual, the deal does not extend to the latest iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR.

The purchase of select Apple Watch Series 3 models or Beats headphones, including the Solo3, Studio3, and Powerbeats3, will also score customers a $70 or $80 gift card in Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Apple offers up to a $140 gift card in Australia and up to a $160 gift card in New Zealand with the purchase of select iPad models, including the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad, and iPad mini 4. Likewise, the deal does not extend to the latest 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

Apple offers up to a $280 gift card in Australia and up to a $320 gift card in New Zealand with the purchase of select Macs, including the latest MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac Pro models. The deal extends to the MacBook Air, but only the previous-generation model without a Retina display.

Apple offers up to a $35 gift card in Australia and up to a $40 gift card in New Zealand with the purchase of an Apple TV 4K or fourth-generation Apple TV. And in Australia, Apple offers a $70 gift card with the purchase of a HomePod. The speaker has yet to launch in New Zealand, so no deal there.

The deals are available via Apple.com in each country and at Apple Stores in Australia through November 26, which is Cyber Monday, an increasingly popular online-focused shopping holiday that follows Black Friday.

Apple will extend its Black Friday shopping event to the United States, Canada, and many European countries as the clock turns to Friday around the world. Last year, Apple offered gift cards worth up to $150 in the United States, but it could be up to $200 this year based on the Australian dollar amounts.

Apple's terms and conditions for the offer in Australia and New Zealand specify that there is a limit of two Apple Store gift cards per eligible product category, such as the Mac. Refurbished products do not qualify.

Black Friday marks one of the few times in a year that Apple offers deals on its products. Be sure to read our Black Friday roundup for several other deals on Apple products and accessories, with larger discounts in many cases.

Apple plans to discount the price of iPhone XR models in Japan by offering subsidies to Japanese carriers, according to a new report out this morning.

The Wall Street Journal said the price decreases on the $750 iPhone models could come as early as next week, citing sources familiar with Apple's sales strategy in the region.

"A price cut within a month off the release is rare not just for Apple but for smartphone makers in general," said a senior official at a wireless operator, who monitors sales.

Analysts say weaker-than-expected demand for iPhone XR may mirror what happened with the iPhone 5c in 2013, where sales picked up the following year. Apple's higher-priced XS and XS Max models, released a month earlier, appeal more to tech's early adopters who typically fuel initial sales of new iPhones.

The decision comes in the wake of a WSJ report earlier this week that claimed Apple has slashed production orders for its latest iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR models due to lower-than-expected demand.

Part of the problem for Apple is that the iPhone 8 is apparently still hugely popular in Japan because of its affordability, given that it's cheaper than the XR and was still available when Apple launched the XS and XS Max.

According to WSJ's sources, Apple suppliers have also resumed making the iPhone X, the 2017 model that Apple no longer sells at its own stores. If Apple plans to sell the older model in Japan, it wouldn't be the first time the company has produced previously discontinued models for regional markets where it sees sufficient demand for cheaper devices. The strategy also allows Apple to benefit from lower-cost components and depreciated production line machinery.

However, supply chain sources who spoke to WSJ claim the resumption of iPhone X production is partly due to Apple's need to use OLED panels ordered from Samsung – panels that were previously earmarked for use in the iPhone XS and XS Max devices that have since been hit by swingeing production cuts.

Apple no longer makes a super expensive version of its Apple Watch made out of 18-karat gold, but there are companies out there making custom Apple Watches with gold plating and intricate designs like Aurum Edition for people who just need something a little flashier than what Apple's offering.

Aurum Edition sent us one of its super fancy Monarch Counsel Apple Watches, which we went hands-on with in our latest YouTube video to see what the Apple Watch customizing business is all about.

The Apple Watch in the video is a 44mm Series 4 GPS-only model that's been overhauled with a custom-engraved gold plating with a floral pattern. It's plated in 24-karat gold that's 8 microns thick, which means it's durable and the gold isn't going to wear away.

Aurum Edition engraves each custom Apple Watch that it designs by hand, and it takes 40 hours to do each one, which explains the high price tag. It takes a skilled, steady hand to do this kind of intricate work.

In terms of functionality, the custom design doesn't cover the Apple Watch Series 4's large screen or the sensors at the back for measuring heart rate, but it does impede the pressing mechanism of the Digital Crown just a bit, making it harder to press. It still works well when scrolling, though, and the haptic feedback feature in the new models is functional.

Such a fancy Apple Watch is, of course, accompanied by a fancy band made from a dark blue shark skin leather, and it ships in a high-quality wooden box for the kind of unpackaging experience you'd expect for $2,200.

Most of us here at MacRumors are tech focused, like to upgrade regularly, and aren't going to pay so much for an Apple Watch, but there are people out there who like this kind aesthetic and the work that Aurum Edition is doing is impressive.

It can't be easy to overhaul such a small device and have it remain functional, and it's certainly interesting to get a peek behind the curtain at what these kind of custom devices look like in person and how they're made.

Aurum Edition does make Apple Watch and iPhone models in other designs and from other high-end materials, like platinum, so if you're in the market for a super fancy Apple Watch or iPhone, check out the website.

Would you ever shell out so much extra cash for a custom Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments. Stay tuned to MacRumors, because next week we're also going to be taking a look at a custom-designed high-end uber-expensive iPhone from another company.

Apple is considering creating a lower-cost Apple TV dongle that's similar to the Amazon Fire Stick or the Google Chromecast, reports The Information.

Apple has held discussions about introducing such a product, which would be priced lower than the Apple TV and would be able to be plugged into the back of a television set.

The company is said to be contemplating such a hardware device to promote an upcoming streaming service that's in the works. A lower-cost Apple TV dongle would make the service, which will be available only on Apple devices, more accessible to potential buyers.

Right now, Apple's only television product is the Apple TV, priced at $179 for the Apple TV 4K and $149 for the non-4K version. Current TV dongles from Amazon and Google are priced much lower, at $25 to $35.

Rumors have suggested Apple is planning to roll out a streaming service next year, perhaps as early as March, and it is set to launch in more than 100 countries in 2019.

Apple may offer the streaming service on a standalone basis, or bundle it up with Apple Music and an Apple News subscription that includes Texture, the magazine service that it purchased.

Original television content created by Apple could be made available for free to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users through the TV app. Apple is also negotiating deals to provide access to subscription channels like HBO and STARZ.

For its streaming service, Apple has more than a dozen original television shows in the works, and it has inked deals with production companies for movies. A full list of all of the projects Apple has in the works right now can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Nearly two weeks after Amazon reached an agreement with Apple to sell more of its products, a selection of Apple products are available on Amazon in the United States, including the latest iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 4, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac mini models.

Other products available include accessories such as Apple Watch bands, the Apple Pencil, Beats headphones, and the Magic Mouse 2.

Prices are fairly consistent with Apple.com, but there are some discounts to be had, including $100 off a base model MacBook and $300 off the latest 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.6GHz six-core Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. Note that some of the products are currently out of stock or available in limited quantities.

Amazon has yet to begin selling any new iPhones directly from Apple or its network of Apple Authorized Resellers, but the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are expected to be available soon as part of the deal. One product that won't be available is the HomePod since it is an Amazon Echo competitor.

Apple has prominent marketing banners on each of its Amazon listings that resemble the look of its product pages on Apple.com. Apple-authorized product listings contain the wording "ships from and sold by Amazon.com."

A limited selection of new and used Apple products were already available on Amazon via third-party resellers, but those product listings will be removed after January 4, 2019 under the new deal. Third-party resellers will need to apply to become Apple Authorized Resellers to continue selling on Amazon.

Beyond the United States, Apple products are also beginning to appear on Amazon in France, and the sales agreement will extend to its storefront in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and India as well.

Disclosure: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.

Mazda today announced that CarPlay and Android Auto are now available as part of a dealer-installed upgrade in select 2014 model year and newer Mazda vehicles equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system in the United States.

The dealer-installed upgrade has a suggested price of $199 plus the cost of labor and includes both hardware and software components. Eligible vehicles will be equipped with a faster-charging 2.1-amp USB port, in addition to the latest version of Mazda Connect with CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Eligible customers can schedule an appointment with a Mazda dealership to have the approximately two-hour upgrade service completed.

CarPlay and Android Auto will also be preinstalled in 2018 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured in November 2018 or later, excluding the Sport model, in the United States. Those who purchased a 2018 Mazda6 earlier in the year can opt for the dealer-installed upgrade option with the $199 fee waived.

CarPlay and Android Auto are also preinstalled in the 2019 Mazda CX-9 and the 2019 Mazda CX-5 in the United States.

CarPlay is Apple's in-car software that enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from a vehicle's dashboard display, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, WhatsApp, Downcast, Slacker Radio, Stitcher, and as of iOS 12, Google Maps and Waze.

Mazda previously announced that CarPlay would be available as a dealer-installed upgrade for a suggested price of $443 including labor in Canada by November, but it's unclear if the option is available there yet. It's also available in the UK for £350.