Apple deals: M5 MacBook Air and Apple Watch Ultra get $250 discounts

As the early holiday shopping season kicks off, major US retailers Amazon and Best Buy have launched a massive wave of early Black Friday deals. Tech enthusiasts can now secure significant discounts on key Apple ecosystem devices, including the latest laptops, smartwatches, and audio accessories. The headliner of today's sales is the M5-powered MacBook Air lineup, which has dropped to its lowest tracked price in nearly five months.

• Early Black Friday highlights include a major $250 discount on both 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models featuring 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
• The previous-gen Apple Watch Ultra 3 is back on clearance with a $250 discount starting at $649, while newer Ultra 4 models see nearly $100 in savings.
• AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds are discounted by $50, and all five color options of the latest AirPods Max 2 are marked down by $100.
• Classic Apple Polishing Cloths return at $9 shipped, alongside early pre-order deals and open-box smart home hardware.

Deep Discounts on M5 MacBook Air Configurations For users looking to upgrade their portable workstations, Amazon has slashed $250 off the list price for both the 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models equipped with 16GB of RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD. The smaller 13-inch variant is now available starting at $1,349 down from its regular $1,599 price tag. This $250 price drop is currently active across all colorways except for the Silver model, marking the best tracking price in months. Meanwhile, the larger 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage has dropped to $1,549 from its original $1,799 retail price. This $250 discount applies to all four official color options. These aggressive price cuts undercut previous fall Prime Day promotions, making it an ideal time for performance seekers to purchase Apple's latest hardware.

Apple Watch Ultra Clearance and Ultra 4 Deals Outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers have another chance to grab previous-generation rugged smartwatches at clearance prices. With the Apple Watch Ultra 4 taking over recent months, Amazon has brought back massive clearance pricing on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Configurations featuring Black and Natural Titanium cases paired with the stunning Milanese Loop are back down to $649 shipped, representing a $250 discount off the original $899 list price. At the same time, the newer Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are also seeing noticeable price cuts. For instance, the Natural Titanium variant paired with the Translucent Gray Ocean band is currently listed at $699, down from its standard $799 price. Such steep discounts on flagship wearable devices are relatively rare outside of major holiday windows.

AirPods, Accessories, and Smart Home Deals Beyond computers and wearables, popular audio gear and accessories are seeing substantial markdown activity. Amazon continues to offer the best price on AirPods Pro 3 at $50 off, while dropping all color finishes of the high-end AirPods Max 2 by $100. Additionally, the viral 2026 Apple Polishing Cloth is back in stock at $9 Prime shipped for cleaning foldable phone screens and touchscreen MacBooks. In the smart home category, Best Buy has introduced early open-box deals on the newly released HomePod mini 2 in Midnight and White, as Amazon does not officially carry the mini speaker. Alongside Apple hardware, the sales event features retro-styled Sony wired headphones, EPOMAKER gaming mice, Keychron mechanical keyboards, and Matter-enabled smart plugs at record-low prices.

What This Means for Tech Consumers and Markets The premature launch of Black Friday sales highlights intense competition among retailers to capture consumer spending ahead of the traditional holiday rush. For global buyers, these sales offer a rare opportunity to purchase high-end Apple gear with substantial savings. While regional availability varies outside the US, global price drops on premium technology frequently influence international import markets and retail trends over time.