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Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

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Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad.

AirPods-Pro-3-Newsroom.jpg

Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value.

AirPods Pro 3 launched last week, and they are now included in the "Back to School" promotion, instead of the AirPods Pro 2. Students who purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad can get the AirPods Pro 3 for just $70, after a $179 discount is applied.

If you do not want any AirPods, the promotion also offers various other accessories for free or at a discount, such as the Apple Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard.

For more details about the offer and eligibility, read Apple's full terms and conditions.

The free AirPods or other accessory are included in addition to Apple's standard year-round 10% educational discount on select Mac and iPad models.

The promotion is also running in Canada, Mexico, Singapore, India, and the United Arab Emirates until September 30, and in select European countries such as the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands until October 21.

Article Link: Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/24/apple-back-to-school-offer-airpods-pro-3/
I tried to wait for the AirPods Pro 3s but they just took too long and the 1s I had were dying so I had to bite the bullet less than a year ago on the 2s. I'm happy with what I have, but the extra noise cancellation on the 3s does seem to be legit based on early reviews. Tempting, but I think I'll keep the 2s until they die.
 
Astuces iOS said:
Buy an iPad, get the AirPods, return the iPad...

Does it works?
Click to expand...

No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
 
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The issue with all the AirPods is the glossy finish which makes it slip out of some people’s ears when moving. The earliest and simple fix is to just use a matte finish on it or rubberized one and it resolves this issue maybe not for all but would definitely provide a more secure fit and with me more IPX friendly along with being scratch resistant.

The glossy slippery finish is the lack of thought on Apple’s part where looks preceded functionality.
 
Ifti said:
No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
Click to expand...
Nope you can very easily return the iPad and keep the AirPods. No issues from Apple's side and definitely not theft. Apple has already accounted for people trying this though so you won't actually be saving any money.

When you buy the iPad and the AirPods, Apple charges you the full price for the AirPods and gives you the discount on the iPad. So return the iPad and you end up with full price airpods. Return the AirPods and they remove the discount from the iPad so you don't get the full price back on the AirPods.
 
Ifti said:
No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
Click to expand...
Stop spreading misinformation, buddy.
 
jdusoccer12 said:
Nope you can very easily return the iPad and keep the AirPods. No issues from Apple's side and definitely not theft. Apple has already accounted for people trying this though so you won't actually be saving any money.

When you buy the iPad and the AirPods, Apple charges you the full price for the AirPods and gives you the discount on the iPad. So return the iPad and you end up with full price airpods. Return the AirPods and they remove the discount from the iPad so you don't get the full price back on the AirPods.
Click to expand...

I purchased an iPad Air just last week.
With edu discount the iPad was discounted from £600 to £550.
I received the Apple Pencil Pro for free.
This is how it is noted on the invoice : £550 for the iPad, and £129 next to the Apple Pencil. Directly beneath is a negative entry for -£129, removing the cost of the Pencil Pro.

If I now return the iPad they will also ask for the Apple Pencil - if it is not returned they will remove the cost of the Apple Pencil from my iPad refund, simply meaning I will have paid for the pencil. I don't get it for free, which is what I thought the post was suggesting?
 
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NVDA said:
Stop spreading misinformation, buddy.
Click to expand...

How so 'buddy'??

You try returning it to Apple in this way - they will remove the cost of the extra item from your refund. You think Apple is going to let you keep it for free??
Never.
 
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Ifti said:
How so 'buddy'??

Keeping an item you have not paid for is theft, is it not?

You try returning it to Apple in this way - they will remove the cost of the extra item from your refund. You think Apple is going to let you keep it for free??
Keep dreaming.
Click to expand...

It isn't possible to "not pay" for the AirPods in the U.S. This is because on the actual transaction and invoice, a $179 discount is applied to the MacBook/iPad, not the AirPods. The AirPods are charged $179 as a line item. So if you don't return the AirPods, it doesn't matter - you've still fully paid for it.

The good news is, this means it's possible to get a $179 discount on the MacBook itself without taking possession of the AirPods. This makes the MacBook Air $720.
 
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Ifti said:
No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
Click to expand...
If Apple is smart they will just give you back a part of the money of the iPad, charging you the AirPods...
 
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Ifti said:
How so 'buddy'??

You try returning it to Apple in this way - they will remove the cost of the extra item from your refund. You think Apple is going to let you keep it for free??
Never.
Click to expand...
Tell me you don't know how returns work without telling me. Move along, pal.
 
code-m said:
The issue with all the AirPods is the glossy finish which makes it slip out of some people’s ears when moving. The earliest and simple fix is to just use a matte finish on it or rubberized one and it resolves this issue maybe not for all but would definitely provide a more secure fit and with me more IPX friendly along with being scratch resistant.

The glossy slippery finish is the lack of thought on Apple’s part where looks preceded functionality.
Click to expand...
Or use … Proof Labs 4 Pairs for AirPods Pro 2 Ear Hooks Covers [Added Storage Pouch] Accessories Compatible with Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (White) https://a.co/d/cMU860H
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
jdusoccer12 said:
Nope you can very easily return the iPad and keep the AirPods. No issues from Apple's side and definitely not theft. Apple has already accounted for people trying this though so you won't actually be saving any money.

When you buy the iPad and the AirPods, Apple charges you the full price for the AirPods and gives you the discount on the iPad. So return the iPad and you end up with full price airpods. Return the AirPods and they remove the discount from the iPad so you don't get the full price back on the AirPods.
Click to expand...

Or you could keep the AirPods and try selling the iPad on a secondary market, after back-to-school period runs out. You should be able to get back something close to the retail price, if it's a sealed unopened box.
 
Though it was not a gift card in the US, think in other countries there was a wider range of options to choose from. Last year, with the iPad it was only Pencil. This year, there is an option to choose other accessories.
 
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While the promo is also available at Apple Authorized Campus Stores, it wasn't updated to include the AirPods Pro 3 when the AirPods Pro 2 were discontinued, you have to go to an Apple Store or possibly the Apple EDU website to get the AirPods Pro 3 in the promo.
 
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