If you always want to get the latest Apple products, you should be happy to know that the company offers a fast schedule of new releases every year. While some products have a longer time gap between new generations, like the iPad Pro, AirPods, and Apple TV, there are several others where you can get a more predictable timeline of the next big thing, like with iPhones, Apple Watches, and even Macs.
Overall, one of the best times to get a good deal on an Apple device is during the company’s back-to-school sales, which typically take place in June, giving students a free gift card or accessory when purchasing a Mac or iPad. Customers can also score great deals while waiting for Amazon Prime Day deals – also in June – or Black Friday in November. Additionally, retailers always offer special promotions on Apple devices on various holidays, such as Memorial Day.
When to buy iPhones, Apple Watches and Macs?
José Adorno/BGR
The best time to buy an Apple product also depends on what you want. After all, if Apple has just released or is about to launch a new product, the current/predecessor product becomes cheaper on third-party markets. However, if you want the newest model, sometimes it’s best to wait a little longer to upgrade your current model.
Apple usually releases new iPhone and Apple Watch models in September. Starting in 2026, rumors suggest that the company will divide releases into two periods: the September cadence will remain in effect for the iPhone Pro models and a foldable version, and at the beginning of the following year, around April, to release the base line, the “e”, and the Air models. That said, you need to consider this change in timing when purchasing a new iPhone, as the company changes how it handles its biggest releases of the year.
For Apple Watch products, Apple updates the Series and Ultra models annually, while the Apple Watch SE typically benefits from a three-year gap between updates. For Mac, Apple releases new MacBook Air models usually in spring or summer. The MacBook Pro could be released anytime from late October to early next year, depending on the company’s chip schedule. The Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Studio have a less predictable release schedule.
When to buy iPad, AirPods, home products and other devices
José Adorno/BGR
The release schedule for different iPad models depends, again, on the device you want to buy. For the iPad Air, Apple religiously upgrades it with a new chip every year, as it recently did with the M4 version. The iPad Pro gets a new model every 18 months or so. Upgrading the iPad mini and base model can take a few years or even less than a year.
For AirPods, Apple typically takes around 2.5 years to upgrade standard models, three years for AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max is simply impossible to say, as a true second-generation model took 5.5 years. Still, rumors suggest that a modified iteration of the AirPods Pro could soon launch with low-resolution cameras for AI purposes.
Other devices like the Apple TV and HomePods are all due for an upgrade, but it appears Apple has held them back due to Apple Intelligence. Apart from that, it is also difficult to say when the company might upgrade these products. The company’s AirTags were updated in early 2026, as well as the Apple Vision Pro, in late 2025. As you can see, Apple has a wide range of products, and some are more predictable than others. So, when looking to buy a new device, always check when that device was last released or updated to see if a new model will be released soon.
