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Apple gift guide 2025: Best deals and buying advice for every product

As the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing, it’s important to make sure you’re buying the right Apple product and getting the best deal possible. Here’s everything you need to know about what to buy and how to score some big savings on the best Apple gifts of the year.

Updated December 5, 2025: The latest pricing on MacBook Air, AirPods Pro, AirPods 4, and more.

Apple’s return policy

Apple has also announced its extended holiday return period. Products received between November 12, 2025 and December 25, 2025 can be returned until January 8, 2026.

MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is just about the best value for a Mac in Apple’s lineup today, if not the best value of all-time. It has a compact, sleek, and thin design, yet still powerful performance thanks to Apple Silicon. I truly don’t think we’ll see a better Mac deal anytime soon than the M4 MacBook Air for $749 (Reg. $999).

13-inch M4 MacBook Air

15-inch M4 MacBook Air

Keep up with all of the latest MacBook Air deals on 9to5Toys.

AirPods Pro

Apple released AirPods Pro 3 this year with new features including heart rate monitoring, better noise cancellation, and more. These make a great gift for the person in your life who wants their first pair of AirPods or someone who is looking to upgrade from an earlier generation that has seen better days.

The AirPods Pro 2 are also still regularly available at impressively-low price points. These are excellent, too, as long as you don’t need the heart monitoring capabilities.

AirPods Pro 3

Keep up with all of the latest AirPods deals on 9to5Toys.

AirPods 4

AirPods 4 were introduced last year and are a great option for people who want noise cancellation but don’t like the in-ear design of AirPods Pro. These are available in two variations, both of which are regularly discounted.

AirPods 4

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Keep up with all of the latest AirPods deals on 9to5Toys.

AirPods Max

For people looking for an Apple-branded pair of over-ear headphones, AirPods Max are still a product in Apple’s lineup. They’re pricey and lack Apple’s latest-generation audio chip, but they still offer great sound quality and pair easily with your Apple devices.

AirPods Max

Keep up with all of the latest AirPods deals on 9to5Toys.

Apple Watch Series 11

The Apple Watch Series 11 is an excellent choice this holiday season, packing all of Apple’s latest health features, upgraded 24-hour battery life, and 5G support.

42mm Apple Watch Series 11

46mm Apple Watch Series 11

Keep up with all of the latest Apple Watch deals on 9to5Toys.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

If you’re shopping for someone who’s a fan of the outdoors, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a great choice. It also offers incredible battery life, satellite and 5G connectivity, and a durable design packed into a larger 49mm form factor.

Keep up with all of the latest Apple Watch deals on 9to5Toys.

Apple Watch SE

Apple released a new version of the Apple Watch SE this year, making its most affordable wearable far more compelling. It now has an always-on display, more powerful S10 chip, and the latest health features.

40mm Apple Watch SE

44mm Apple Watch SE

Keep up with all of the latest Apple Watch deals on 9to5Toys.

iPad (11th generation)

The iPad 11 is Apple’s most affordable iPad, but yet still packs a modern design with an edge-to-edge display. It’s powered by the A16 chip, which is more than enough power for the vast majority of iPad users. Plus, it comes in a fun range of colors.

Keep up with all of the latest iPad deals on 9to5Toys.

iPad Air (M3 chip)

If you’re looking for a better display and faster performance, the iPad Air is a great choice. My favorite thing about the iPad Air, however, is that it’s available in both 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes. This allows you to get the biggest iPad screen possible, without spending a lot more money on the iPad Pro.

11-inch iPad Air

13-inch iPad Air

Keep up with all of the latest iPad deals on 9to5Toys.

iPad mini (A17 Pro chip)

The iPad mini packs all the best iPad features in a compact design. This includes the A17 Pro chip with Apple Intelligence features, support for the latest multitasking features in iPadOS 26, and more. It’s a great choice for those wanting an iPad experience in a small form factor.

Keep up with all of the latest iPad deals on 9to5Toys.

iPad Pro (M5 chip)

Finally, the iPad Pro. This is the powerhouse of the iPad lineup, powered by Apple’s latest-generation M5 chip. It features an ultra-thin design, gorgeous OLED displays, 5G connectivity, and much more.

11-inch iPad Pro

13-inch iPad Pro

Keep up with all of the latest iPad deals on 9to5Toys.

iPhone

iPhone always makes a great holiday gift, and this year’s iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup is Apple’s strongest in years. That said, it’s hard to find deals on new iPhone models. Your best bet is generally to head to your carrier and ask about trade in options, or trade in your old iPhone to Apple.

However, there is a solid collection of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro configurations on sale through Amazon’s official Renewed program for Black Friday Week. These are sold and shipped by Amazon and include a full 1-year warranty.

iPhone 16 Pro/Max:

iPhone 15 Pro/Max:

Here are some of our iPhone buying guides:

Buy an iPhone 17 or iPhone Air

My favorite iPhone accessories:

Keep up with all of the latest iPhone deals on 9to5Toys.

More Macs

I mentioned the MacBook Air earlier, because I truly think that’s the best Apple deal we’ve ever seen and the best Mac for the majority of people. There are, however, other Macs that are worth considering for power-hungry users.

Mac mini

iMac

MacBook Pro

Keep up with all of the latest Mac deals on 9to5Toys.

Wrap up

We’ll have plenty more holiday shopping guides here are 9to5Mac in the coming weeks. We’ll also keep this post updated throughout the holiday season with the latest advice and deals. In the meantime, are you planning to gift anyone an Apple product this year? Is there something on your personal wishlist? Let us know down in the comments.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.