As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets a crisp chill, our minds naturally drift towards the biggest shopping event of the year: Black Friday. And for many of us, that means eyeing up those sleek Apple devices, especially the ever-popular iPads. If you're wondering what 2025's Black Friday might hold for iPad sales, we've got some insights.
Apple itself has laid out its plans, and it looks like a familiar strategy: gift cards. Starting November 28th and running through Cyber Monday, you can snag up to a $250 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of eligible products directly from their store. For iPads specifically, you're looking at a $100 gift card when you pick up an iPad Air, a standard iPad (model A16), or an iPad Mini. It's not a direct discount, mind you, but a nice little bonus to put towards accessories or even another Apple purchase down the line.
Now, it's important to remember that Apple's direct promotions aren't always where the deepest discounts lie. While the gift card is a nice perk, you might find better outright price drops on iPads at other major retailers. We've seen in the past, and it's likely to be the case again in 2025, that places like Amazon and Best Buy will be offering competitive deals. In fact, even before the official Black Friday rush, some retailers were already showing discounts on the latest 11th generation iPads, bringing them down significantly from their usual price. So, keep a close eye on these third-party sellers.
It's also worth noting what's not included in Apple's direct gift card offer. While the iPhone 16 series and some older models are eligible for a $75 gift card, the newest iPhone 17 models won't be part of this particular promotion. This often means that if you're after the absolute latest iPhone, you'll likely need to look at deals from major carriers, which usually come with service plan requirements.
For iPads, though, the picture is generally brighter. The $100 gift card for models like the iPad Air or standard iPad is a solid offer, and the potential for even steeper price cuts at retailers means there should be plenty of opportunities to snag a great deal. Whether you're upgrading your current tablet or making your first iPad purchase, Black Friday 2025 looks like a prime time to shop. Just remember to compare prices across different stores and consider what kind of deal works best for you – a direct discount or a valuable gift card.
