When is the best time to buy an Apple Watch?

Macworld

There’s no bad time to buy an Apple Watch, but there are better and worse times. Apple releases new Apple Watch models (called “series”) on a yearly cadence, and the price rarely changes by all that much. So to avoid buying an Apple Watch that is outdated after just a few weeks, you want to time it right.

Apple is expected to launch a new Apple Watch at an event on September 9, so now is not a good time to buy. You would be wise to wait until mid-September when the new Apple Watch models are likely to go on sale and buy one then – or buy an older Apple Watch at a cut-price deal. See our round-up of the best Apple Watch deals.

Here’s what we know about Apple Watch release dates and when you should or should not buy.

Should I buy a new Apple Watch right now?

Our advice is to wait for the new Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3 or Apple Watch Ultra 3, which could launch in September 2025.

Apple tends to update the Apple Watch yearly, so once the new models launch in September, you probably won’t see another upgrade until September of the following year.

Therefore as long as you aren’t shopping in July or August, it is a good time to buy a new Apple Watch.

Should I buy an Apple Watch Series 10? Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 at an event in September 2024. The Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner and slightly larger with a bigger display and faster charging. It’s not a huge revamp, but the enlarged screen is a bonus. The Apple Watch Series 10 will be discontinued when Apple release the Apple Watch Series 11, so expect to be able to get the Series 10 at a reduced price following the launch in September.









Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)












Read our review


















Should I buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2? Apple didn’t update the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, other than to introduce a new color option. The second-gen Ultra hasn’t changed since its launch in 2023, which means that the chip inside is a generation behind that of the Apple Watch 10. Wait until September 2025 when we expect a new Apple Watch Ultra to launch.









Apple Watch Ultra 2












Read our review







Price When Reviewed:

899 €




Best Prices Today:


€899 at Apple







Should I buy Apple Watch SE? We recommend that you wait to see if the third-generation model launches in September 2025.









Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 40mm)










Read our review


















Should I buy Apple Watch Series 9? If you are considering the SE because it is the cheaper option, you may want to consider another way to get a discounted Apple Watch. Apple no longer sells the Apple Watch 9 (other than via the Apple Refurbished Store) but you may be able to get a good deal on an Apple Watch Series 9 from a reseller. See our round-up of the best Apple Watch deals, updated monthly and take a look at the best prices for the Apple Watch Series 9 below.









Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm)










Read our review







Price When Reviewed:

Dès 449 €




Best Prices Today:


€382.07 at RueDuCommerce FR |
€449 at Apple







When is the best time to buy an Apple Watch?

It’s easier to say when the worst time to buy a new Apple Watch is: in the run-up to September. If you buy a new Apple Watch in August expect to be kicking yourself a month later when the new model arrives and resellers start to discount the older model to sell it off at a lower price.

The best time to buy an Apple Watch isn’t necessarily when a new model launches. If you wait a month or two you might be able to take advantages of sales and price drops from resellers. During October and November we see lots of sales events, such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, and you can expect to get some money off at these events. Apple doesn’t discount its products at its own stores, but it does offer vouchers with new purchases from time to time–and Black Friday is one of those times.

Looking for a Black Friday deal: See Best Black Friday Apple deals and Best Black Friday Apple Watch deals.

If you’re in the market for a new Apple Watch, see our Apple Watch buying guide.

When does Apple update the Apple Watch?

Apple usually updates the Apple Watch at an Apple Event in September. In 2024, it introduces the Series 10 and a new color for the year-old Ultra 2.

A brand new set of Apple Watches is expected in September 2025.

However, not every Apple Watch gets updated every year. The Apple Watch SE can go two or more years between updates.