Get Ready for Upcoming ARKit Apps With Deals on Compatible iPhone SE and iPad Models - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Get Ready for Upcoming ARKit Apps With Deals on Compatible iPhone SE and iPad Models

Later today Apple will debut iOS 11, the newest software update for iPhones and iPads that will bring changes like a new control center, improvements to Siri, an upgraded user interface on iPad, and the ability to interact with certain apps using advanced augmented reality capabilities. The only way to take advantage of these ARKit-powered apps is with an iPhone or iPad that has an A9, A10, or A11 processor.

Thankfully, a few A9-enabled iOS devices are marked down this week, allowing anyone on older iPhones and iPads the chance to upgrade and get a peek inside Apple's augmented reality future. The first deal is at Walmart, where you can get the 32GB iPhone SE (with an A9 chip) for $129.00 on the retailer's prepaid Straight Talk cellular service. There are only a few Space Gray in stock of the 4-inch iPhone as of writing.

iphone se ipad deals
At Staples, there are a variety of ARKit-compatible models of the new 2017 iPads to choose from, including the 9.7-inch iPad with 32GB of storage for $299.00, down from $329.00. The iPad is available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold. If you're looking for more storage, there's also the 128GB version of the same iPad on sale for $399.00, down from $429.00. The Staples discounts will continue until Saturday, September 23, while supplies last. Each of these iPads include Apple's A9 chip with 64-bit architecture necessary to run ARKit apps.

In other deals, Walmart has a slight discount on the Apple Pencil at $89.00, down from Apple's retail price of $99.99. Note that Apple Pencil is only compatible on iPad Pro devices, and won't work on the 2017 9.7-inch iPad. Check out our Deals Roundup for even more sales going on this week, which includes Bluetooth speakers from Anker and Jawbone, 12 percent off Apple Watch accessories from Twelve South, and $10 off orders of $50 or more at Pad & Quill.

Related Roundups: Apple Deals, iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Popular Stories

ipad prime day

Score the A16 iPad for Its Best Price Since June's Hike

Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:15 am PDT by
Amazon this week is taking $50 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $449.00. This is now the best price we've seen on the iPad since Apple's price hikes in June. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site...
iphone air silver

Best Buy Offers $160 Off All iPhone Air Models During Black Friday in July

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:47 am PDT by
Best Buy today is offering customers a chance to get $160 off every model of the iPhone Air during its Black Friday in July event. 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. You can get the 256GB iPhone Air for $839.99 ($160 off), and this is an unlocked model...
apple watch series 11 dark

Apple Watch Series 11 GPS Models Now $100 Off on Amazon

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:51 am PDT by
Amazon this week has low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of 42mm and 46mm GPS aluminum models, but cellular devices are a bit more rare this time around. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...

Top Rated Comments

116 months ago
The 2017 9.7 iPad for $299.00 is an excellent deal for someone wanting trying an iPad for the first time.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
The 2017 9.7 iPad for $299.00 is an excellent deal for someone wanting trying an iPad for the first time.
Very good deal and let's hope ARKit is the new gold rush.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
Are any of them working? IIRC Developers are prohibited from releasing software with new iOS features before the official launch.

Curious to try myself too, but Stack AR has never really worked for me yet, so waiting to try the others.
Stack AR worked for me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mthomas184 Avatar
116 months ago
Searching the App Store using iOS 11 (GM) and there is nothing highlighting AR apps!
There is a few of them out there. These are what I have seen thus far:

Strava
Stack AR
RoomScan
Carrot Weather
Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade
Egg Inc.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
earthTOmitchel Avatar
116 months ago
I hope so, surely it's not only Ikea!
I'm working on an ARKit app roundup that should go up later today:) Also hoping the App Store gets a bigger push for the apps besides Thomas. Which, admittedly, looks cool for kids.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
If you'd like to try out ARKit, I've got one game already up (it works both with and without AR), called Marbles AR ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marbles-ar/id1162028350?ls=1&mt=8') (it's free). It already works with iOS 11 GM.

The other one is called Square Off AR ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/square-off-ar/id1274513942?ls=1&mt=8') and should become available with the release of iOS 11. It won't be free (lowest price tier), but you can check it out on YouTube ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhBp8lVm7Xs').
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)