Black Friday buyers guide: How to pick the best iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and more!
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Planning on picking up some new Apple gear on Black Friday? Here's how to pick the best!
Apple has several different—and sometimes overlapping—product lines these days. What's more, within each line are more affordable and more fully featured options. If you're looking for an iPhone or an iPod, an iPad or a Mac, an Apple Watch or an Apple TV, either for yourself or for a family member, friend, or colleague, here's everything you need to know!
Contents
iPhones
The iPhone is the phone everyone wants. Whether it's the latest, greatest iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, the year-old but more affordable iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, or the entry-level iPhone 5s, these days there really is an iPhone for everyone.
iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6s includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppi, shoots 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone, you want the iPhone 6s.
Status: Released September 2015. Will likely be replaced by iPhone 7 in September 2016.
More: iPhone 6s review
iPhone 6s Plus
The iPhone 6s Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppi, shoots optically stabilized 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $750 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone that's also a tiny tablet, you want the iPhone 6s Plus.
Status: Released September 2015. Will likely be replaced by iPhone 7 Plus in September 2016.
More: iPhone 6s Plus review
iPhone 6
The iPhone 6 includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppi, shoots 8 mp photos and takes 1080p video. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID and Apple Pay. Available in space gray and silver, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $550 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Bottom-line: If you don't need 3D Touch or a 12 megapixel camera, and want to save $100, you want the iPhone 6.
Status: Released September 2014. Price-dropped September 2015.
More: iPhone 6 review
iPhone 6 Plus
The iPhone 6 Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppi, shoots optically stabilized 8 mp photos and takes 1080p video. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID and Apple Pay. Available in space gray and silver, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Bottom-line: If you want don't need 3D Touch or a 12 megapixel camera but do want a large-screen phone, and want to save $100, you want the iPhone 6 Plus.
Status: Released September 2014. Price-dropped September 2015.
More: iPhone 6 Plus review
iPhone 5s
The iPhone 5s includes a 4-inch 1136x640 Retina display at 326 ppi, shoots 8 mp photos and takes 1080p video. It has a first-generation 64-bit Apple A7 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID, is available in space gray and silver, runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $450 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2013. Price-dropped September 2014 and again September 2015.
Bottom line: If you want a smaller phone, don't mind it being an older phone, and really want to save $200, you want an iPhone 5s.
More: iPhone 5s review, iPhone 5s buyers guide
iPad
iPads are the personal computer made even more personal. With larger multitouch screen, hundreds of thousands of tablet-optimized apps, and options for both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, they may not be as powerful as Macs, but they can be even more empowering.
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro has 12.9-inch, 2732 x 2048 laminated display at 264 ppi. Shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9X chipset, 4 GB of memory, and 32 GB or 128 GB storage options. Includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps. Compatible with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Available in space gray, silver, or gold. Plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available on 128 GB model. Starts at $799.
Status: Released November 2015. May be updated to iPad Pro 2 in 2016 or 2017.
Bottom line: If you want a the biggest and most powerful iPad money can buy, you want the iPad Pro.
More: iPad Pro hub
iPad Air 2
The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 264 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8X chipset, 2 GB of memory, 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $499.
Status: Released October 2014. Will likely be replaced by an iPad Air 3 in 2016.
Bottom line: If you want an iPad that balances screen size with portability, you want the iPad Air 2.
More: iPad Air 2 review
iPad mini 4
The iPad mini 4 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 2 GB of memory, 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $399.
Status: Released September 2015. May be replaced by iPad mini 4 in 2016 or 2017.
Bottom line: If you want the most portable iPad possible, you want the iPad mini.
More: iPad mini 4 review
iPad Air
The iPad Air has a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 display at 264 ppi. It shoots 5mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a first-generation 64-bit Apple 7 chipset, 1 GB of memory, 16 GB and 128 GB storage options. Available in space gray or silver, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $399.
Bottom line: If you don't need Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps, or the latest chipsets, but do want a big-ish screen, you want the iPad Air.
Status: Released October 2013. Price-dropped in October 2014.
More: iPad Air review.
iPad mini 2
The iPad mini 2 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 5mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a first-generation 64-bit Apple A7 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB. Available in space gray or silver, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $269.
Bottom line: If you don't care about Touch ID, Apple Pay, or the latest chipsets, but want a small sized tablet, you want the iPad mini 2.
Status: Released October 2013.
More: iPad mini 2 review
Apple Watch
Apple Watch is the opposite of other Apple devices—it's not about how much time you can immerse yourself in it, but how much time it can save you. For time keeping, notifications and communications, health and fitness tracking, remote control, and more, it's Apple's best product yet.
Apple Watch Sport
Specs: 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display, heart rate sensor, available in silver and space gray aluminum with ion-x glass and white, black, blue, green, or pink fluoroelastomer sport band (swappable). Runs watchOS 2 and Watch Apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $349.
Bottom line: If you want a light watch for athletics, or an entry-level watch, you want Apple Watch Sport.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Sport 2 in 2016.
More: Apple Watch review
Apple Watch
Specs: 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display, heart rate sensor, available in polished or space black stainless steel and sapphire glass, with sport band, classic or modern buckle, leather or Milanese loop, or link bracelet (swappable). Runs watchOS 2 and Watch Apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $549.
Bottom line: If you want higher quality materials and a more classic look, you want the Apple Watch.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced by Apple Watch 2 in 2016.
More: Apple Watch review
Apple Watch Hermès
Specs: 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display, heart rate sensor, available in polished or space black stainless steel and sapphire glass, with sport band, classic or modern buckle, leather or Milanese loop, or link bracelet (swappable). Runs watchOS 2 and Watch Apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $1100.
Bottom line: If you love Hermès luxury leather, you'll love the Apple Watch Hermès.
Status: Released October 2015. May be replaced by Apple Watch Hermès 2 in 2016.
More: Apple Watch review
Apple Watch Edition
Specs: 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display, heart rate sensor, available in yellow and rose gold with sapphire glass and sport band or classic or modern buckle (swappable). Runs watchOS 2 and Watch Apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $10,000.
Bottom line: If you're a jet-setter who only ever wears gold, you want the Apple Watch Edition.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced by Apple Watch Edition 2 in 2016.
More: Apple Watch review
Apple TV
With the Apple TV you can have everything you love about your iPhone or iPad in your living room, meeting room, or class room, and on your big screen TV or projector. You can even beam media and mirror screens from your devices to your Apple TV. It takes the best personal experience in apps and content and makes it the best shared experience.
Apple TV (2015)
Specs: Dual-core Apple A8 chipset, 32 or 64 GB of storage, HDMI, Ethernet, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, IR, Dolby 7.1, 1080p 60fps, Siri Remote. Starts at $149.
Bottom line: With an all new interface, Siri voice control, and a full-on App Store, the new Apple TV goes from streaming box to platform. If you want everything Apple has to offer for the big screen, you want the new Apple TV.
Status: Released October 2015.
Apple TV (2012)
Specs: Single core Apple A5 chipset, 8 GB of storage, HDMI, optical audio, Ethernet, 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, IR remote, Dolby 5.1. Starts at $149.
Bottom line: If all you want is the ability to stream content from Apple and their partners, and put what's on your Apple devices onto your big screen TV, all you need is an Apple TV (2012).
Status: Released in March 2012. Price dropped in March 2015.
iPods
iPods fall into two broad categories: the iPod touch, which is the smallest and least expensive way to get onto iOS and the App Store; and the iPods nano and shuffle, which provide traditional media playback capabilities in extremely portable form.
iPod touch
Specs: 4-inch Retina display. Apple A8 processor. Shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. Has Apple A8 chipset, 1GB of RAM, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. Available in space gray, silver, gold, pink, blue, and red (Apple Store exclusive). Runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs millions of App Store apps and games. Starts at $199.
Bottom line: If an iPhone and all its apps would be perfect but you just don't want or need a phone, get the even thinner, lighter, smaller iPod touch.
Status: Updated July, 2015.
More: iPod touch 5 review
iPod nano
Specs: 2.5-inch multitouch display. 16GB of storage. Includes apps for music, podcasts, video, exercise (pedometer, Nike+). Includes Bluetooth and FM radios. Available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 31 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Starts only $149.
Bottom line: If an iPod touch is just too much, and all you want is a good amount of audio and video to keep you company at the gym, on a run, or on a trip, in the absolute smallest, lightest package available, get the iPod nano.
Status: Refreshed July 2015.
iPod shuffle
Specs: 2GB of storages (enough for hundreds of songs), 15 hours of battery life. Convenient clip, available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 12.5 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Costs only $49.
Bottom line: Whether you're exercising or traveling, if you want just enough music, podcasts, and audiobooks to get you through your workout or work day, and you don't want an Apple Watch, get the iPod shuffle.
Status: Refreshed July 2015.
Macs
Apple makes a wide range of traditional computers, from laptop to desktop, from entry-level to state-of-the-art. For anyone who wants or needs everything a keyboard and mouse driven machine has to offer, there's a great Mac gift waiting.
MacBook
Specs: 12-inch Retina display. Intel CoreM processor. USB C port. Up to Core i7. Up to 8GB of RAM. Up to 512GB of flash storage. Runs OS X and full desktop-class software. Weighs only 2 lbs. 9 hours of battery life. Force Touch trackpad. Starting at $1299.
Status: Released April 2015.
Bottom line: The closest Mac to an iPad, for those who want portability above all else.
More: MacBook review
MacBook Air
Specs: 11 or 13-inch screen. Intel i5 or i7 processors. USB 3 and ThunderBolt ports. Up to Core i7. Up to 8GB of RAM. Up to 512GB of flash storage. Runs OS X and full desktop-class software. Weighs only 2.38 or 2.96lbs. 9 or 12 hours of battery life. Starts at $899.
Bottom line: If you want something portable but still need to be able to run Office, Photoshop, Xcode, etc., get a MacBook Air. If you need maximum portability, get the 11-inch model. If you need more pixels, get the 13-inch model.
Status: Updated March 2015 with Intel Broadwell chipsets.
More: MacBook Air buyers guide
MacBook Pro
Specs: 13- or 15-inch Retina displays. Dual-core i5 or quad-core i7 processors. USB 3 and ThunderBolt 2 ports. Up to 16GB of RAM. Up to 1TB of flash storage. 9 to 10 hours of batter life. AMD Radeon graphics option. Weighs only 3.48 or 4.49 lbs. Force Touch trackpad. Starts at $1299.
Status: 13-inch updated in March 2015 with Intel Haswell chipsets and Force Touch, 15-inch updated in May 2015 with Force Touch (but no Haswell).
Bottom line: If you want desktop performance in a laptop, get the MacBook Pro.
More: MacBook Pro buyers guide
Mac Mini
Specs: Dual-core i5 or i7 processors. USB 3, Ethernet, HDMI, Thunderbolt 2, USB 3 ports. 2GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM. Up to 1TB of flash or Fusion drive. Starts at $499.
Status: Updated March 2014 with Intel Haswell chipsets.
Bottom line: If you want a Mac for your server rack or home server closet, to add to an existing PC setup, or to use as a home theater, get a Mac mini.
More: Mac mini buyers guide
iMac
Specs: 21.5-inch with optional Retina 4K display, quad-core Intel "Broadwell" i5 or optional i7 processors, integrated Irish Pro graphics, up to 16 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 2 TB or flash drive up to 512 GB. 27-inch with standard Retina 5K display, quad-core Intel "Skylake" i5 or optional i7 processors, AMD M380 graphics with options up to M395x, up to 32 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 3 TB or flash drive up to 1 GB. Both sizes have Ethernet, UBS 3, and ThunderBolt 2 ports. Starts at $1099.
Status: Updated October 2015.
Bottom line: If you want an incredibly powerful Mac with the best built-in displays in the business, get an iMac.
More: iMac buyers guide
Mac Pro
Specs: State-of-the-art computing. Up to 8-core Xeon E5 processor. Up to 64GB RAM. Up to dual AMD FirePro D700 graphics cards. Up to 1TB of flash storage. Up to three 4K displays, six Thunderbolt displays. 4x USB3, 6x Thunderbolt, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 1.4 UHD ports. 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0. Starts at $2999.
Status: Past due on an update.
Bottom line: If you need the Mac equivalent of Bugatti Veyron, you need a Mac Pro.
More: Mac Pro buyers guide
More help!
If you've already chosen the best iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV for you or yours, let us know what you picked and how you like it. If you're still not sure which Apple products best suit your needs, head on over to our help and discussion forums or ask away in the comments!
Last updated: October 2015.
