Buyer's Guide Update: Apple iPhone, Black Friday Sales

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/24/buyers-guide-update-apple-iphone-black-friday-sales/)

Several readers have noticed that our Buyer's Guide (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/) has recently changed the iPhone recommendation to "Don't Buy - Updates Soon" despite no recent rumors about a new iPhone update.

The Buyer's Guide generates some of its recommendations automatically based on historic product life cycles. For a product like the iPhone, however, which has only been on the market for a short period of time, these product cycles can be less predictive.

The relatively short product cycles for the iPhone reflect the fact that Apple has made regular adjustments to the iPhone's price and storage capacity. Only 2 months (http://www.macrumors.com/2007/09/05/8gb-iphone-price-drop-4gb-iphone-discontinued/) after its initial release in 2007, Apple dropped the price of the 8GB iPhone down $200. Then in February (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/05/apple-announces-16gb-iphone-and-32gb-ipod-touch/), Apple boosted the maximum storage capacity of the iPhone from 8GB to 16GB.

These regular short updates are why the Buyer's Guide recommendation has changed, but Apple has said they are not going to be updating any more products in 2008. So, any new updates wouldn't realistically be seen until early 2009. And Apple has said that they will continue to improve and aggressively price (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/22/iphone-accounted-for-39-of-apple-revenue-in-q4-2008/) the iPhone in the future.

Regardless, readers should probably wait until Friday before buying any new Apple hardware since Apple and other retailers will be offering Black Friday After Thanksgiving sales. BestBuy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat128500050006&type=category), PowerMax (http://www.powermax.com/thanksgiving) and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&camp=1789&tag=macrumors-20&creative=9325&path=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlack-Friday-After-Thanksgiving-Sale%2Fb%2Fref%3Damb_link_7776792_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D384082011%26pf_rd_m%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26pf_rd _s%3Dright-3%26pf_rd_r%3D0TB7G4R8AKYG3AEQRNRM%26pf_rd_t%3D101%26pf_rd_p%3D464028111%26pf_rd_i%3D507846) are already advertising their Black Friday sales, and we believe that both Apple and MacMall (http://www.macmall.com/) will also be offering their traditional discounts on Friday.

Article Link: Buyer's Guide Update: Apple iPhone, Black Friday Sales (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/24/buyers-guide-update-apple-iphone-black-friday-sales/)

[themoonisdown09]

I really hope that the iPhone gets a storage boost to 32GB at or around Macworld 2009.

[Penguinwrangler]

The iPhone was not discounted in any way last year on Black Friday, was it?

[bradl]

The iPhone was not discounted in any way last year on Black Friday, was it?

I don't think it was, as they dropped the price of the iPhone sometime in October or September, IIRC, then gave those who bought it early some sort of rebate (I wasn't really into the iPhone then, so my memory is a bit foggy on that).

What I think could happen is that Apple could start to offer the iPhone 3G without the subsidy (read: contract free) for a cheaper price than what they initially announced. That would make a really good Black Friday sale.

BL.

[mr_matalino]

Here's hoping for a price cut in Jan/Feb!!

$99 8GB!

[BigD58]

Does anyone think that the new unibody MBP's will be discounted on Friday?:confused:

[DipDog3]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Slow news day at macrumors eh?

Exactly what I was thinking!

I doubt we will see any price reductions on the iPhone in the near future.

[Tallest Skil]

Does anyone think that the new unibody MBP's will be discounted on Friday?:confused:

No. Apple discounts its consumer products.

[themoonisdown09]

Does anyone think that the new unibody MBP's will be discounted on Friday?:confused:
No. Apple discounts its consumer products.

I don't think Apple usually discounts their Pro line products, but it looks like Best Buy will be. Read this article posted by AppleInsider: Best Buy cuts prices on Apple's Mac line for 4-day sale (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/24/best_buy_slashes_prices_on_apples_mac_line_for_4_day_sale.html).

[jObooW]

anyone knows if and when there will be discounts in europe (netherlands)?
And will Apple also give it on top of the student discounts?

[themoonisdown09]

anyone knows if and when there will be discounts in europe (netherlands)?
And will Apple also give it on top of the student discounts?

The Black Friday discounts don't apply if you use the student discount... at least that's how it's always been here in the US.

[jObooW]

The Black Friday discounts don't apply if you use the student discount... at least that's how it's always been here in the US.

ok, then I will order an alu MB tomorrow anyway :)

[fendol]

It's just this Friday... http://seoagora.com/img/589/f08t1014tvaz/cool.gif

[M.Capz]

I'm looking to pick up the iPhone this afternoon. Think I should wait until Friday?

[bytethese]

I really hope that the iPhone gets a storage boost to 32GB at or around Macworld 2009.

I hope not, I finally convinced my fiance to buy one last week. :)

[caliguy]

ok, then I will order an alu MB tomorrow anyway :)

I would wait until Friday just in case. Due to the economic situation, we could see bigger price drops than usual, you never know. What's waiting an extra three days?

[Pants Dragon]

What are the odds of an update at MW2009? I've asked for one for Christmas, but I've said that I don't want to get it until after MW since they may update it.

[terryzx]

I'm looking to pick up the iPhone this afternoon. Think I should wait until Friday?

I’m waiting til the new one at MacWorld Expo in Jan

[guzhogi]

I'm hoping Apple updates the iPhone to have a 32 GB drive & the same speed clock as the iPod Touch v2. IMHO, I still think the iPod Touch & iPhone should have have all the same features, minus the phone. That should be enough to differentiate the 2.

[bradl]

I’m waiting til the new one at MacWorld Expo in Jan

Playing devil's advocate.

And then what will you do when Apple does not announce a 32GB iPhone? If they have a sale on them this Friday, and you wait till January, and there is nothing in January, you may have nothing but wasted time..

BL.

[M.Capz]

I’m waiting til the new one at MacWorld Expo in Jan

Yea, I'm pretty sure a new one isn't coming out in January......

I'm just hoping I don't miss out on a small price drop on Friday. Eh, regardless they might give me a deduction if I tell them I bought it on Monday :)

[Mindflux]

Best Buy's got some smokin sales. I just got $150 off my MacBook (2.4) today and I didn't have to trudge out on Friday to do it.

[stagi]

anyone think they will have deals on the :apple:TV? Did they last year?

[alexbates]

I bet there will be a good price reduction due to the economic conditions (At least $100 off Mac's).

I would save my money and see what's going to happen at Macworld.
We know that Snow Leopard is coming and possibly an updated Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and iMac along with some kind of change with the iPhone.

[santiv]

I'm holding out for $300 off from MacMall for 2.8GHz Mac Pro with VMWare Fusion and Windows XP. Anybody hear anything about an update to the 17" mbp?

[sizzle]

Like Stagi, I am also interested on learning about a discount for Apple TV. I am so close to canceling my cable TV service.

[Michael CM1]

People looking for Apple discounts on Friday will be disappointed. What you will see (check out blackfriday.gottadeal.com) is stores offering gift cards. This is the best anybody can do since Apple is real stingy about discounts.

[keiths29]

There was an article on a price drop for the iPhone, once it started selling at Costco and WalMart. Here's the link: http://macblips.com/story/confirmed_iphone_3g_coming_to_wal_mart_on_december/. The price is reported to be $150.

[arn]

Best Buy's got some smokin sales. I just got $150 off my MacBook (2.4) today and I didn't have to trudge out on Friday to do it.

I expect MacMall to have bigger discounts if last year's sales are any indication.

arn

[Mindflux]

I expect MacMall to have bigger discounts if last year's sales are any indication.

arn

Yeah, maybe so but I bought my MacBook a week ago @ Best Buy. So I got my $150 back on that thanks to their pricing guarantee.

I bought 3 iMac from MacMall over the past year however. Wouldn't hesitate to order again except I needed the notebook pronto.

[funnyent]

Im gonna wait until macworld 2009 to buy an iphone. i want the new one!


you have to buy electronics like the iphone at somtime... so what if they might come out with the newer version in macworld... it wouldnt be avaible until the spring/summer at least. just buy the phone.

[SiriusExcelsior]

anyone knows if and when there will be discounts in europe (netherlands)?
And will Apple also give it on top of the student discounts?

They're offering a sale here on Friday in New Zealand and Australia.. don't think we have a Black Friday tradition.. but yea.. they're having a one day sale.. so who knows :rolleyes:

From: Apple <News_AUS_NZ@InsideApple.Apple.com>
Subject: This Friday. Our biggest shopping event of the year.

Friday only.

Lots of gifts. 1 day not to miss.

The special one-day Apple shopping event. Friday 28 November.

Shop online now

Tell a friend

-------------------------------------------------------------

Shop Online

0800-MY-APPLE

-------------------------------------------------------------

Prices are only for 28 November 2008.

TM and copyright (c) Apple Sales New Zealand. PO Box 912015, Auckland Mail
Centre, Auckland 1142.
Tel: 0800-MY-APPLE.

Anyone know if the Friday discounts are more than educational discounts? Or are students still better off?

[GSPice]

And will Apple also give it on top of the student discounts?

I suppose this also applies to refurbished models, i.e., refurbished model prices will not be discounted?

[zelmo]

We get a corporate discount which is effectively equal to the EDU pricing, and we were notified that Black Friday specials are additional discounts off of the corporate pricing. Don't know if it works that way for EDU or not, but I'm looking hard at a new MBP to replace my gracefully aging PB G4.

[Beric]

When you can get $300 off a typical $700-$800 PC this black Friday, these types of Mac discounts are nothing.

[iOrlando]

For whats it worth. I heard apple's black friday sales will be essentially the same sales Best Buy is having. Apple Stores are giving people who mention the best buy sales the same price as found in best buy stores.

$100-$150 off macbooks depending on model
$25 - $50 off ipods depending on model
10-15% off alot of other stuff


question on macmall? what is the con of purchasing something from macmall?
i mean if i can get a new macbook for $300 off...i am very tempted... so what are the downsides? harder to return? can i bring it to apple stores to get fix? can i still get applecare? basically...whats the catch here??

[Beric]

For whats it worth. I heard apple's black friday sales will be essentially the same sales Best Buy is having. Apple Stores are giving people who mention the best buy sales the same price as found in best buy stores.

$100-$150 off macbooks depending on model
$25 - $50 off ipods depending on model
10-15% off alot of other stuff


question on macmall? what is the con of purchasing something from macmall?
i mean if i can get a new macbook for $300 off...i am very tempted... so what are the downsides? harder to return? can i bring it to apple stores to get fix? can i still get applecare? basically...whats the catch here??

Read this (http://www.macmall.com/macmall/information/customer_service/returns.asp).

Basically, if there's something wrong, Macmall won't support you, and you have to take it directly to Apple.

[Mindflux]

Read this (http://www.macmall.com/macmall/information/customer_service/returns.asp).

Basically, if there's something wrong, Macmall won't support you, and you have to take it directly to Apple.

Yes but the agreement between Apple and MacMall is that Apple is to treat MacMall purchases as their own. Unfortunately Apple rep's don't all know this. I got this right from a MacMall rep I know pretty well via another forum.

[Beric]

Yes but the agreement between Apple and MacMall is that Apple is to treat MacMall purchases as their own. Unfortunately Apple rep's don't all know this. I got this right from a MacMall rep I know pretty well via another forum.

Right. I didn't say anything about it was bad, because Apple's support is great. It's just like you're ordering direct from Apple.

[dariusperkins]

these product cycles can be less predictive.



they're also less predictable.

[iOrlando]

yeah i mean..i would probably prefer apple support anyway over macmall support. i am just curious...if i was to call up apple and say...oh my macbook broke..and they go...oh this is a macmall macbook...aka the "other" macbook and i get all this added hassle and junk from apple about not having the same support.

[llkennethll]

is it too late to buy a ipod touch now?
you think there will be an update for that soon?:confused:

[garan]

Are the Black Friday promotions applied worldwide? I'm here in the UK wondering if savings on Friday will be better than waiting for the reduction in VAT (sales tax) that is pencilled in for Monday.

Garan.

[garan]

Are the Black Friday promotions applied worldwide? I'm here in the UK wondering if savings on Friday will be better than waiting for the reduction in VAT (sales tax) that is pencilled in for Monday.

Garan.

To answer my own question.. Just had an email off Apple telling me about "This Friday: Our biggest shopping event of the year.".

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/campaigns/black_friday_teaser

[twoodcc]

yeah, i wouldn't by anything til friday. but i would love to see a 32 GB iphone early next year

[goudvarken]

but, if he, if, there come's an iphone there for sale, you still have to take a contract on it? or can you buy it then without? or pay to go?

[abhimehr]

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/25/piper_jaffray_addresses_12_more_unanswered_apple_questions.html

When will Apple release a new iPhone?
Most investors believe the iPhone hardware will be the same throughout 2009 as it is today; we disagree. While Apple has indicated that it differentiates the iPhone from its competitors by software, the company has not addressed its strategy to segment the market by expanding the iPhone lineup as it has the iPod lineup. Specifically, Apple could offer a SKU at a lower price than the current $199 entry price and/or a premium SKU at or above the higher priced $299 16GB model. Apple could lower the price by removing features like 3G and GPS; alternatively, Apple could make a premium SKU with a sleeker design using higher-end materials, more processing power, better graphics and more storage. We believe Steve Jobs' comments on the Sept. quarter conference call regarding Apple's iPhone strategy in CY09 support our thesis of new iPhone models at different prices in CY09: "I think we have to be the best. And I think we have to not leave a price umbrella underneath us."

[nick9191]

When you can get $300 off a typical $700-$800 PC this black Friday, these types of Mac discounts are nothing.
Except you get a good computer.

[charlituna]

What I think could happen is that Apple could start to offer the iPhone 3G without the subsidy (read: contract free)


dream on.

1. the deal with ATT ain't over so you won't get it contract free unless the Federal gov't changes the cell phones rules and forces unlocking like in France etc

2. if they take away the contract they will likely take away the subsidy so it will be back to the whole $399/499 and maybe higher

[charlituna]

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/25/piper_jaffray_addresses_12_more_unanswered_apple_questions.html
Apple could lower the price by removing features like 3G and GPS



it's been done. it was the original iphone. which is over and done. don't see them going back to it anymore than I see them releasing the black plastic case macbook for those that don't like silver.

[charlituna]

There was an article on a price drop for the iPhone, once it started selling at Costco and WalMart. Here's the link: http://macblips.com/story/confirmed_iphone_3g_coming_to_wal_mart_on_december/. The price is reported to be $150.



there is nothing in that link about price, only that select Walmart and Sams Club stores will sell the phones (with required activation and contract)

[charlituna]

but, if he, if, there come's an iphone there for sale, you still have to take a contract on it? or can you buy it then without? or pay to go?

if you buy an iphone in the US from an authorized sales location (not some shady back room reseller that unlocked them and is upping the price and voiding the warranty)

1. activation required at time of purchase, no exceptions
2. service is through ATT, no exceptions
3. 2 year contract, no exceptions
4. ETF is $175 - $5 for each full month completed after 30 days or if you don't return the phone, no exceptions
5. ETF is waived in first 30 days with return of phone
6. unlocking or jailbreaking phone voids warranty.
7. phone will not be serviced unless a sim card is present (so there goes taking out the sim to hide that you unlocked it to use on t-mobile etc)

take that info and use it as you wish