In the world of wearables, the Apple Watch family always takes many places on our list of best smartwatches environment. the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best of the bunch. It’s big, rugged and has an aesthetic that shows it means business. But with a hefty $799 price tag, that business doesn’t come cheap. While Apple isn’t one for in-store discounts, third-party sellers often fill the void with their own deals.
CNET senior editor Adam Oram works with our dedicated deals team to bring you the best deals out there on this beautiful and powerful Apple smartwatch. That includes outright discounts, as well as trade-in savings and other special offers that you have to jump through a few hoops to get.
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If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, the original Apple Watch Ultra can still be an option. It was released back in 2022, so it’s harder to find this first-gen model in stock and there’s currently no active discount on new models. If you decide to opt for a refurbished model, you’ll find it more readily available at some retailers.
It should be noted that Apple is in an ongoing legal battle with the US International Trade Commission regarding a patent dispute with a company called Masimo regarding its blood-oxygen sensor technology. That means Apple is no longer allowed to ship Apple Watches with the blood-oxygen sensor enabled, so unless it’s specifically mentioned at the point of sale, your new Apple Watch won’t have it.
Read more: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: A Rugged Watch Comparison
What’s the best Apple Watch Ultra 2 deal right now?
Unless you’re looking to trade in an old smartwatch, Amazon is offering the best deal on the Ultra 2 right now. The online retailer is knocking $50 off most color variantswhich means you can pick one up for just $749 right now.
Best Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals
Released in September 2023, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most advanced smartwatch to date. It maintains the overall design of its predecessor, while upgrading to the new S9 chip for faster speed and better battery efficiency. In addition, there is a new brighter display.
Athletes will benefit from more advanced metrics for running and cycling, and the high altitude range is a boon for hikers and scuba divers. Battery life remains the longest in the Apple Watch line at 36 hours per charge or up to 72 hours in low-power mode.
There aren’t any direct discounts on this watch through Apple, but if you have an older Apple Watch to trade in, you have the potential to save up to $375 through a trade-in credit.
Although it’s not a huge discount, Amazon is offering $50 off the price of the Ultra 2.
Best Buy is currently selling the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for full price of $799, but with the potential to get up to $250 in trade-in credit. Garmin, Fitbit and Samsung smartwatches are all included, although previous-generation Apple Watch models get the most storage.
Best Buy throws in three months of Apple Music as well as four months of Apple Fitness with any purchase.
AT&T lets you save $100 when you buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2 on installation with a qualifying service plan. Stocks are currently limited, so be sure to check the model you like best before ordering.
Trade in your old Verizon smartwatch for $180 for an Apple Watch Ultra 2. An eligible service plan is required and you’ll see the trade-in credit applied for 36 months as bill credits.
If you choose to combine the purchase with a new 5G iPhone, you can also get up to $120 back in promo bill credits. Just note that a new service line for Apple Watch is required for this offer.
Best deals on Apple Watch Ultra
The first-gen Apple Watch Ultra has been discontinued by Apple, and most retailers have stopped stocking the new models. The choices are few when it comes to deals and direct discounts, but you can save a little money if you opt for a refurbished model. Right now Apple doesn’t have any refurbished Ultras in stock.
Target is no longer offering a price reduction on the remaining stock of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, so the device is sitting at $799. However, Target is one of the few retailers that offers the watch in stock at selected color variants. You get three months of Apple Fitness free with purchase.
Back Market also has a selection of refurbished Apple Watch Ultra models, ranging from fair to excellent condition. They are cheaper than Apple’s repairs, which are currently not available, although they may show more signs of wear and tear.
Best Buy is another retailer that still has some refurbished Apple Watch Ultra models available. Currently, all refurbs are priced at $500, and they come with four free months of Apple Fitness Plus and three free months of Apple Music.
How we pick CNET’s Apple Watch Ultra deals
For the Apple Watch Ultra 2, we highlight any retailers that offer direct discounts. However, these types of discounts can be hard to come by, so we’ve also selected several retailers and carriers that offer consistent savings in the form of trade-in discounts, bundle deals or free service. Additionally, we’ve selected several trusted retailers that have a selection of refurbished first-gen Ultra models for those who want the advanced features of a high-end Apple Watch without the price tag. price.