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Apple back-to-school: Best deals and what to expect

Find ways to save and even get some freebies from this tech giant.

Apple rarely offers significant markdowns on its products, making the back-to-school season one of the best times to buy everything from MacBooks to Beats by Dr. Dre headphones and more.

Deal

New iPhone SE starting at $579 or $24.12/month

Enjoy faster downloads, streaming, gaming and more with the new iPhone SE price starts from $579 or $24.12/month for 2 years. T&Cs apply.
Deal

iPad mini starting at $649 or $108.16/month

Experience mega power and mini size of iPad mini starting at $649 or $108.16 per month at Apple Store. T&Cs apply.
Deal

New iPad Mini from $649

Valid for a limited time only at Apple. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Deal

Buy MacBook Pro from $1569

Enjoy MacBook Pro from $1569 . Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal

Get $230 off Apple watch

Get up to $230 with extra trade‑in savings on Apple Watch Series 7 when you upgrade during Heart Month. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal

AirPods from $179

Shop for AirPods now starting at $179 with FREE engraving including an emoji. T&Cs apply.
Deal

Save 15% or more on newly available certified refurbished iPhone models

Discounts applied at checkout. Valid for a limited time only. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal

FREE next day delivery

Order an in-stock iPhone model and get free next-day delivery. T&Cs apply.
Deal

Apple refurbished products with one-year warranty

Shop for Apple refurbished products with one-year warranty. All tested and certified. T&Cs apply.
Deal

FREE shipping on all orders

Valid for a limited time at Apple. T&Cs apply.

Top Apple products with education pricing and student discounts:

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen) and iPad Air (4th gen)
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen) and iPad Air (4th gen)

Apple

When is the Apple back-to-school sale?

Every year Apple launches its back-to-school promotion, offering discounts on popular MacBooks and iPhones. Apple’s back-to-school sale usually starts in early July and runs until late September.

Will Apple have a back-to-school sale this year?

Yes! You can count on it. One of the best deals offered right now is:

How do I shop the Apple sale?

To be eligible for Apple’s education pricing and back-to-school discounts, you need to fall into one of these categories:

  • K-12 teachers, staff and administrators
  • Homeschool teachers
  • Higher education students, teachers and staff, parents of students

If you’re eligible, head to Apple’s Education Store online or your local Apple Store to shop the sale.

What kind of deals to expect

Apple has a history of running similar deals year-to-year, which typically include freebies and other perks when you buy select MacBooks and iPads. In 2020, Apple offered a free pair of AirPods with select Mac and iPad purchases, savings of up to $250 on eligible Macs and 20% off AppleCare+.

Ways to save even more

Finding a discount on Apple products takes some research, patience and a little bit of luck. Fortunately, we’ve found some solid ways to save if you missed or don’t qualify for the back-to-school sale:

  • Shop the Education Store year-round. If you qualify for the Apple education discount, you can still snag deals on select products long after the yearly sale is over.
  • Get a military discount. Members of the Canadian military may be eligible for special pricing on Apple products.
  • Buy last year’s models. Brand-new releases of MacBooks, iPads and iPhones carry a hefty price tag. But if you can stick it out a few more months or settle for last year’s model, you could potentially save hundreds.

Other tech deals

Don’t qualify for Apple education pricing, but still want a deal? Try these top retailers that are known for offering authentic Apple products at a discount:

  • Best Buy runs Apple sales events throughout the year that often coincide with Apple’s own back-to-school sale.
  • Amazon often has similar or even better markdowns on MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches and more.
  • Walmart usually offers small deals on iPhones and accessories like AirPods, smart keyboards, charging cables, Beats headphones and more.

Bottom line

Bag up back-to-school bargains on the latest Apple products — and earn freebies too — when you shop Apple’s yearly sale for students and educators.

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