There are plenty of smartwatches on the market these days but the Apple Watch is a fan favorite, and rightfully so. We agree, as it still tops our rankings of the best smartwatches. There are a couple of different wearables in the Apple Watch family, but the rugged and advanced Apple Watch Ultra 2 is our top choice, especially if you're an iPhone user looking for a true all-in-one device. It has a hefty price tag of $799, but there are a few ways to save some coin and put one on your wrist for less.
CNET Senior Editor Adam Oram has worked with our dedicated deals team to bring you the very best offers on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. That includes straightforward discounts, as well as trade-in savings and other special offers (that you'll have to jump through a few hoops to get).
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If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the original Apple Watch Ultra is still a viable option. It was released back in 2022, so it's harder to find this first-gen model in stock, but it's often available at a good price when you can track one down. However, if you opt for a refurbished model, you'll be able to find those more readily available at a handful of retailers.
It’s worth noting that Apple has been embroiled in a lengthy patent dispute with health technology company Masimo. The patent dispute involves blood oxygen sensing systems. Most recently, a federal appeals court upheld the US International Trade Commission’s ruling that Apple cannot sell Apple Watches with the blood oxygen sensing feature. This means that if you’re buying a new Apple Watch, don’t expect it to come with this feature.
Read more: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: A Rugged Watch Comparison
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 S9 chip for faster speeds and better battery efficiency. Plus, there's a new extra-bright display.
Athletes will benefit from more advanced metrics for running and cycling, and the extended altitude range is a boon for hikers and scuba divers. The battery life remains the longest in the Apple Watch lineup at 36 hours per charge or up to 72 hours in low-power mode.
There aren't any straightforward discounts on this watch through Apple, but if you have an older Apple Watch to trade in, you can save as much as $385 through trade-in credit. You'll also get 3% cash back if you make the purchase using your Apple Card.*
Best Buy isn't offering any straightforward deals, but you can save up to $250 with an eligible trade-in. Garmin, Fitbit and Samsung smartwatches are all included. However previous-gen Apple Watch models will score the biggest savings.
Best Buy is also throwing in three months of Apple Music and four months of Apple Fitness with any purchase.
The only Ultra 2 discount you'll find at AT&T is $300 off when you buy two and activate at least one new line of service. In addition, AT&T has its own trade-in program where you can exchange your old phone, tablet or smartwatch for credit. Discounts are applied as bill credits over 36 months.
Best Apple Watch Ultra deals
The first-gen Apple Watch Ultra has been discontinued by Apple, and most retailers have stopped stocking this model. So, deals and direct discounts are few, but you can save some cash if you opt for a refurbished model. Apple does not currently have any refurbished Ultras in stock.
Target still has a handful of original Apple Watch Ultra configurations available. There aren't any direct discounts but, you can save 5% if you purchase it with your Target Circle card*.
What is the best Apple Watch Ultra 2 deal right now?
Unfortunately, it's pretty slim pickings on Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals at the moment. The best straightforward discount available is a modest $64 off a select configuration at Amazon, and the best trade-in offer is up to $385 off at Apple. If you can afford to wait a bit, it might be worth holding off until better offers pop up.
How we choose Apple Watch Ultra deals at CNET
For the Apple Watch Ultra 2, we've highlighted any retailers offering direct discounts. However, these kinds of discounts can be pretty hard to come by, so we've also selected a number of retailers and carriers that are offering more consistent savings in the form of trade-in discounts, bundle deals or free services. Additionally, we've selected a number of 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 hefty price tag.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 deal FAQs
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*All information about the Apple Card and Target Circle Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.