There’s no bad time to buy an Apple Watch, but there are better and worse times. Apple releases new Apple Watch models (called “series”) on a yearly cadence, and the price rarely changes by all that much. So to avoid buying an Apple Watch that is outdated after just a few weeks, you want to time it right.
Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 in September 2024, so now is a good time to buy. If you’re in the market for a new Apple Watch, see our Apple Watch buying guide, and our round-up of the best Apple Watch deals.
Looking for a Black Friday deal: See Best Black Friday 2024 Apple deals and Best Black Friday 2024 Apple Watch deals.
Here’s what we know about Apple Watch release dates and when you should or should not buy.
Should I buy a new Apple Watch right now?
- Our advice is to buy an Apple Watch Series 10 now, unless you want to wait for a new Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Ultra, which could be updated in 2025.
Apple tends to update the Apple Watch yearly, so once the new models launch in September, you probably won’t see another upgrade until September of the following year. Therefore as long as you aren’t shopping in July or August, it is a good time to buy a new Apple Watch.
However, in September 2024 Apple only introduced the Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 wasn’t updated (other than a new color) and the Apple Watch SE wasn’t updated at all.
Should I buy an Apple Watch Series 10? Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 at an event in September 2024. The Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner and slightly larger with a bigger display and faster charging. It’s not a huge revamp, but the enlarged screen is a bonus.
Should I buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2? Apple didn’t update the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, other than to introduce a new color option. The second-gen Ultra hasn’t changed since its launch in 2023, which means that the chip inside is a generation behind that of the Apple Watch 10. You may want to wait until 2025 when we do expect an update.
Should I buy Apple Watch SE? Apple did not introduce a new Apple Watch SE in 2024 either, so there is a possibility that it will be introduced in the spring of 2025. If it’s a new SE you want then you may want to wait to see if the third-generation model launches in 2025.
Should I buy Apple Watch Series 9? If you are considering the SE because it is the cheaper option, you may want to consider another way to get a discounted Apple Watch. Apple no longer sells the Apple Watch 9 (other than via the Apple Refurbished Store) but you may be able to get a good deal on an Apple Watch Series 9 from a reseller. See our round-up of the best Apple Watch deals, updated monthly and take a look at the best prices for the Apple Watch Series 9 below.
When is the best time to buy an Apple Watch?
It’s easier to say when the worst time to buy a new Apple Watch is: in the run-up to September. If you buy a new Apple Watch in August expect to be kicking yourself a month later when the new model arrives and resellers start to discount the older model to sell it off at a lower price.
The best time to buy an Apple Watch isn’t necessarily when a new model launches. If you wait a month or two you might be able to take advantages of sales and price drops from resellers. During October and November we see lots of sales events, such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, and you can expect to get some money off at these events. Apple doesn’t discount its products at its own stores, but it does offer vouchers with new purchases from time to time–and Black Friday is one of those times.
When does Apple update the Apple Watch?
Apple usually updates the Apple Watch at an Apple Event in September. In 2024, it introduces the Series 10 and a new color for the year-old Ultra 2.
However, not every Apple Watch gets updated every year. The Apple Watch SE can go two or more years between updates.
For more advice read our Apple Watch buying guide.
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.