Apple rolls out AirPods Pro 3, M4 MacBook Air, 240W cable and more in latest 9to5Mac deals
Photo by Tigran Kharatyan (unsplash.com/@t1ko) on Unsplash
$200 off. That's the discount on the newly released AirPods Pro 3, 9to5Mac reports, alongside up to $300 off M4 MacBook Air models and an $18 240W USB‑C cable.
Key Facts
- •Key company: Apple
Apple’s latest discount push centers on the AirPods Pro 3, which 9to5Mac says have slipped to $200 on Amazon – the deepest cut since the model’s launch. The price drop arrives as the company’s flagship true‑wireless earbuds face stiff competition from rivals such as Sony’s WF‑1000XM5 and Google’s Pixel Buds 2 Pro, which have been gaining market share in the premium segment. By undercutting the $279 list price, Apple hopes to sustain its dominance in the high‑end earbud market while clearing inventory ahead of the anticipated release of a next‑generation “AirPods Pro 4” later this year, according to the outlet’s “Lunch Break” roundup.
The MacBook Air line also sees aggressive markdowns. 9to5Mac reports a $200 reduction on the 13‑inch M4 Air equipped with 24 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, now listed at $1,199 on Amazon – a 14 % discount off the $1,399 MSRP. A larger 15‑inch M4 Air with the same memory and storage configuration is offered at $1,299, a $300 cut from its $1,599 base price. These figures are notable because Apple has been raising MacBook Air and Pro prices across the board, as Bloomberg highlighted in its recent coverage of Apple’s pricing strategy. The current deals therefore represent a rare price‑reduction window that could entice price‑sensitive professionals and students who have been waiting for a more affordable entry point into Apple’s silicon ecosystem.
The discounts extend to Apple’s newly introduced 13‑inch M4 iPad Air, which 9to5Mac lists at $735.49 shipped – the lowest price recorded since the model’s debut. The 128 GB configuration, previously priced at $799, now sits under the $750 threshold, making it competitive with high‑end Android tablets that have been eroding Apple’s tablet market share. The outlet also notes that the 11‑inch M4 iPad Air is available for $559, a $40 reduction from its $599 list price. By pushing the cost of its entry‑level iPad Air down, Apple appears to be targeting the education sector, where bulk purchases often hinge on unit cost, and to counter the growing appeal of cheaper, feature‑rich Windows‑based 2‑in‑1 devices.
Apple’s accessory ecosystem is not immune to the discount wave. A 240 W USB‑C “Woven Charge Cable,” priced at $18 on 9to5Mac, offers a high‑power charging solution for the company’s latest laptops and iPads, underscoring Apple’s strategy to bundle premium peripherals with its core hardware. The same source lists an Apple Crossbody Strap at up to 62 % off and AirTags for under $16 each, suggesting a broader effort to clear accessory inventory while reinforcing the Apple ecosystem’s lock‑in effect. These accessory discounts may also serve to boost ancillary revenue, which historically accounts for a sizable portion of Apple’s profit margins.
Overall, the current slate of promotions reflects Apple’s tactical response to a market that is increasingly price‑sensitive and competitive across multiple product categories. By delivering deep discounts on newly launched hardware—AirPods Pro 3, M4 MacBook Air models, and the M4 iPad Air—Apple is likely aiming to accelerate adoption of its latest silicon while mitigating the risk of inventory buildup ahead of the next wave of product announcements. The timing aligns with broader industry trends: Bloomberg has reported that Apple is raising prices on newer MacBook iterations, and analysts have warned that the company’s premium pricing could dampen demand if not offset by compelling value propositions. The 9to5Mac deals therefore serve as a short‑term lever to sustain sales momentum and preserve market share in the face of mounting competition from both established rivals and emerging entrants.
Sources
Reporting based on verified sources and public filings. Sector HQ editorial standards require multi-source attribution.