Deals: Numerous Sales Hit Apple's 2020 iPad Air, Prices Start at $549 for 64GB Wi-Fi

[MacRumors]

Amazon and B&H Photo are discounting every model of Apple's 2020 iPad Air today, starting with the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $549.00 in all colors, down from $599.00. We've seen this particular model marked down by about $10 cheaper, but that sale hasn't re-emerged yet, making Amazon's price the best around online this week.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The 256GB Wi-Fi models are also on sale at $50 off, priced at $699.00. On Amazon, you'll find these models on sale in every color, while B&H Photo is only discounting the Green and Sky Blue options.

iPad Air (64GB Wi-Fi) for $549.00 ($50 OFF)​

In terms of cellular options, the 64GB Cellular iPad Air is on sale for $679.00, down from $729.00 on Amazon and B&H Photo. If you're shopping for the high-end 256GB Cellular iPad Air, Amazon has this one at $829.99, down from $879.00. Both of these sales represent lowest-ever prices.

iPad Air (64GB Cellular) for $679.00 ($50 OFF)​

For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

Article Link: Deals: Numerous Sales Hit Apple's 2020 iPad Air, Prices Start at $549 for 64GB Wi-Fi

 

[EugW]

I wonder if the powers that be are predicting a new iPad Pro release soon.

BTW, do these retailers need permission from Apple to put these products on sale?

 

[BWhaler]

Come on new iPads…clear that inventory so Tim gives us Xmas in March.

 

[orbital~debris]

Green variant of 256 model is the only one not ten pounds cheaper on Amazon UK at the moment.

 

[GuruZac]

I wonder if the powers that be are predicting a new iPad Pro release soon.

BTW, do these retailers need permission from Apple to put these products on sale?

That’s what I’m thinking. I love my 2018 iPad Pro, have no complaints but if they launch a miniLED A14X 12.9 iPad Pro that works with the Magic Keyboard I’ll be buying. If not, I’ll keep my 2018 another year. Can’t justify buying another Magic Keyboard case on top of iPad Pro. I’m guessing it will be compatible based on design rumors.

 

[Oreon]

Wait for iPad Pro 11 2021, or get an Air now, basket dipped the air more times this week than any other apple product I can remember...someone tell me what to do ?

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

Wait for iPad Pro 11 2021, or get an Air now, basket dipped the air more times this week than any other apple product I can remember...someone tell me what to do ?

dude wait. you only stand to benefit on both ends. at the end you wont notice much difference with performance if you do regular stuff but maybe youll envy new screen tech. if you really want the Air after, youll get it for $100 off.

 

[thei3ug]

I wonder if the powers that be are predicting a new iPad Pro release soon.

BTW, do these retailers need permission from Apple to put these products on sale?

So the short answer is... yes, if the vendor is Apple itself, and either selling to or drop shipping through Amazon, they're involved in supporting the price decrease.

Long answer, That's a big "it depends," both on the contract held between the vendor and the merchant, and the accounting basis they use for inventory. Remember, vendor and merchant are going to benefit from increased sales. So they will have to agree on how to split the cost.

Amazon has a checkered past with brands on this issue, but assuming they are working closer with apple than they did with say, wusthof, there will be a delivered cost and a retail point or range. And price changes will be aligned with the vendor, because the merchant wants to share the hit in the margin, in exchange for the increase in sales.

ie. apple sells 120 units instead of 100, after a price drop of 10% on a widget. They better give a cost decrease to offset the temporary shift in retail price, otherwise apple makes out like a bandit, and amazon loses margin. The goal is the vendor price supports the entire retail decrease, because the merchant may have a greater inventory risk.

Also, it depends on inventory accounting. This is less likely as Amazon doesn't carry inventory like a B&M, very JIT. I wasn't in role so I wouldn't know, but OTHER fulfillment based merchants used cost accounting because their inventory was so low. That's fine. But if it was RETAIL accounting, their finance department is looking at the value of inventory at retail. So if someone discounts the widget 10%, they take a hit on the balance sheet for that 10%. That's a loss. It needs to be budgeted, and hopefully vendor supported. Otherwise the incremental sales/profit on a discount item could cost the store MORE due to the inventory markdown, and a lack of a markup on reduced inventory at end of sale.

 

[Oreon]

dude wait. you only stand to benefit on both ends. at the end you wont notice much difference with performance if you do regular stuff but maybe youll envy new screen tech. if you really want the Air after, youll get it for $100 off.

Boom! Decision made, thank you I’ll wait!

 

[TheGeekNextDoor]

The $549 price is the same as the educational price, so not really a drop. My new iPad Air arrived today from Apple. Trading in a 2019 ipad that I bought from Amazon for $230...getting $250 for it from apple. I like making money on trade-ins.

 

[snipr125]

The $549 price is the same as the educational price, so not really a drop. My new iPad Air arrived today from Apple. Trading in a 2019 ipad that I bought from Amazon for $230...getting $250 for it from apple. I like making money on trade-ins.

You Americans dont know how lucky you are with Amazon discounts on Apple stuff. $230, thats like £165!

 

[Flight Plan]

So I'm kind of thinking of getting an Avid Dock. It needs a tablet and my 3 year old 12" iPad Pro is too big to fit it unless I use it in "portrait mode".

I'm looking at the outgoing iPad and iPad Air models, but at the same time I also want a new iPad 12" when they finally come out. I just like having the biggest screen possible when I'm out and about.

But with the Dock, plus 2 iPads, oh my God, what a budget buster. And $50 off on an older iPad that's smaller than my 12.9, well that's not a significant savings. I probably should consider a $100-$200 Android tablet for the Dock.

 

[djlythium]

So, I’ve not seen any rumors on a new Air launch, just Mini and iPP. There are Mini and iPP sales, which make sense, but why clear out Air inventory?

 

[DaveN]

I keep putting off buying a new iPad because I'm well.... cheap. My first generation iPad mini crashes on many web pages, is laggy, yet I stick with it because I don't want to spend the money. However, I had no problems spending over $600 on annual checkups for my cat and dog. I think I have my priorities right.

 

[moldy lunchbox]

I keep putting off buying a new iPad because I'm well.... cheap. My first generation iPad mini crashes on many web pages, is laggy, yet I stick with it because I don't want to spend the money. However, I had no problems spending over $600 on annual checkups for my cat and dog. I think I have my priorities right.

No worries, I'm on Year 11 of not understanding why I need an iPad in the first place when I have an iPhone and MacBook.

 

[myscrnnm]

These were $529.99 at Costco last week.