The Apple iPad is arguably the best tablet out there, with so many uses and features available. It's perfect for new and upcoming artists, great for taking notes in class, and can even be used as a makeshift laptop with the right accessories. The possibilities are truly endless. With a device so useful, you can expect a pay a premium, naturally. Luckily, there are multiple times during the year when you can score an iPad at a discounted price.
If you wait for major holidays or sales events, you can sometimes save up to 50% off a brand-new iPad. It can be tricky to determine when to pull the trigger on a major purchase like this, so we've compiled the best times to buy an iPad below to make things as easy as possible. Don't miss your chance to save money and pick up one of the best tablets out there!
Best Times to Buy an iPad
When New Models Release
By far, the best time to buy a new iPad is right around the release of new models. Retailers tend to carry two generations of iPads at a time, so they elect to offload the oldest generation as soon as a new one releases. So, you can save big on iPad, iPad Air, and even iPad Pro if you elect to purchase just after or before the new models release.
This timing can be tricky, though. Different iPad models have different release dates throughout the year, so it is important to pay attention to when new generations of specific models are released. If you want an iPad Pro, you can't expect to buy one at a discount when the new iPad Air models release.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Another great time to purchase an iPad is Black Friday. Every online retailer will have iPad deals, with discounts likely available even for this year's models. Some deals will be limited time discounts, while others will run across the length of the sale. This also applies to Cyber Monday, which puts an emphasis on online offerings. You can expect to see Apple offer a deal for new iPad purchases as part of these sales, with the deal likely being a free gift card.
New Year's
The start of the year right around New Year's is another fantastic time to pick up a new iPad. Here, Apple and other retailers tend to attempt to offload leftover inventory after the busy holiday season. Therefore, it's easy to score major deals on devices like iPads.
For the most part, you should not expect to see major discounts on current generation models, but older models are always discounted at rates up to 60%. If you miss the holiday sales, this is the next best option, and you will not have to wait long after.
Amazon Prime Day
Although Prime Day isn't as good as Black Friday for iPad deals, it is still one of the best times of the year to buy one. Amazon always discounts various iPad models during its two-day shopping event, making it one of the most consistent windows to find a good deal on an Apple tablet. This year, Amazon even had discounts on the newest iPad models, though the price cuts weren't that steep.
Prime Day usually takes place in the middle of July every year on a Tuesday and Wednesday, which will likely remain the same in 2025. Amazon will also most like be offering its October Prime Day event again this year where they will have similar discounts before Black Friday arrives.
Back to School Promotions
Many times, retailers will offer massive discounts on Apple iPads during August right before school begins for many, which makes this a great time to buy an iPad. Since many students, especially in college, use iPads frequently, Apple usually will discount select iPad models for a few weeks in August leading up to schooling. If you or someone you know is a student, you can even score a student exclusive discount to save more money on a shiny new iPad.
While the end of summer might be an inconvenient time to buy an iPad, this is a surefire way of saving money. Last year, Apple added a free $100 gift card with any purchase of an iPad Pro, so you can expect something similar this year more or less.
New iPads Are Out Now in 2024
Apple has already released the new iPad models for 2024. Both iPad Air and iPad Pro released two new models on May 15. For iPad Air, Apple released a 13-inch model for the first time ever, matching the larger size of the iPad Pro. Additionally, the camera was moved and improved, providing a central focus for video calls. As for iPad Pro, these new models include the M4 processor, which is up to 50% faster than the power of the M2. The displays also saw a major upgrade, with Apple's new Tandem OLED technology utilized for a brighter, more vivid visual experience.
While this can be disappointing since one of the best times of the year to buy a new iPad has passed, you can still save at events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even Back to School sales. It's also important to keep in mind that we will likely see new iPad and iPad Mini models toward the end of this year, so there will be plenty of opportunities to save on newer models on the horizon.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
