Apple’s annual Black Friday shopping event for 2025 is set to run from November 28 through December 1, and rather than discounting devices, Apple is giving Apple Gift Cards with eligible purchases.
Here are some of the headline gift card values:
| Product Category | Gift Card Value |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16e | Up to $75 |
| iPad (A-series), iPad mini | Up to $100 |
| Mac mini, 11-inch iPad Air | $100 |
| 13″ MacBook Air (M4) | $175 |
| 15″ MacBook Air | $200 |
| 14″ / 16″ MacBook Pro (M4 Pro / Max) | $250 |
| Apple Watch SE / Series 11 | $50 |
| AirPods 4 / Pro / Max | $25–$75, depending on model |
| Apple TV 4K / HomePod / Beats / Apple Pencil / Keyboard | $25–$50, depending on device |
How the Gift Card Works
- Not an Instant Discount: The gift card doesn’t reduce the purchase price immediately. Instead, it’s sent after your purchase and must be used on future Apple Store or digital purchases.
- Where to Use It: You can redeem the gift card for hardware, as well as digital goods like apps from the App Store, Apple subscriptions (e.g., Apple Music, iCloud+), or even movies/TV in the Apple ecosystem.
- Not Combinable: The deal doesn’t stack with education pricing, and refurbished products don’t qualify.
What’s Excluded
Apple has some clear exclusions for this Black Friday event:
- The latest models are mostly not eligible for instance, the iPhone 17 series, M5-chip Macs, and the newest iPad Pro won’t earn a gift card.
- Refurbished devices are also excluded.
Why This Isn’t a Straight Discount
Unlike many other Black Friday sales, Apple’s move isn’t about slashing MSRP. Instead:
- Future Incentive: By giving a gift card, Apple encourages repeat purchases maybe for accessories, Apple services, or another device.
- Retail Control: Apple retains full control of margins on its hardware, since the “discount” is not a cash cut but a gift card.
- Value for Ecosystem Users: For customers already deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem, this is effectively a way to get more credit to spend where they already shop.
How This Compares to Other Years
This strategy isn’t new. In 2024, Apple also offered up to $200 in gift cards during its Black Friday event, depending on what you bought. But this year, the top gift card offer has increased, with up to $250 available on select Macs.
According to Macworld, these 2025 values are higher than in some past years, particularly for Mac and iPad categories.
Should You Take It or Wait for Better Deals?
Pros of Apple’s Gift Card Offer
- Good for Apple fans who plan to buy more accessories or services later.
- Risk-free comparison to cash discounts: if you don’t need the card immediately, it’s still credit in Apple’s ecosystem.
- Great for financing or bundling: buy a device now, use gift card later for AppleCare+, an Apple Pencil, or even apps.
Cons Compared to Other Retailers
- Third-party retailers (e.g., Amazon, Best Buy) often offer direct discounts that beat the effective value of Apple’s gift card.
- If you’re looking for the absolute lowest upfront cost, the gift card route may not be ideal.
- Gift card deals don’t always apply to brand-new flagship models, as seen with this year’s exclusions.
Tips for Making the Most of the Offer
- Plan your purchases: If you’re eyeing a MacBook or iPad, think ahead you can use the Black Friday gift card toward future accessories.
- Stack smart: Buy during Apple’s event for the gift card, but also check third-party retailers for cash discounts.
- Redeem wisely: Use the gift card on Apple’s online store, service subscriptions, or app purchases wherever you’d already be spending.
Apple’s 2025 Black Friday event isn’t about slashing prices but it’s still offering real value through Apple Gift Cards with eligible purchases. If you’re already planning to buy Apple gear and want store credit to use later, this could be one of Apple’s most attractive Black Friday offers yet.
