Apple rolls out M5 MacBook Air, new iPad and Watch Ultra 3 in latest deals

Apple’s latest M5‑based MacBook Air is now being sold at a price point that barely exceeds the discounted M4 model, a strategy that underscores Apple’s effort to clear inventory while still showcasing its newest silicon. 9to5Mac notes that the 13‑inch M5 Air with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage is listed for just $50 more than the 13‑inch M4 Air, which is already $300 off its $1,199 list price and available for $899 shipped. By positioning the M5 only marginally above the heavily discounted M4, Apple can entice price‑sensitive buyers to upgrade to the newer chip without eroding margins dramatically, a tactic reminiscent of the “price‑bridge” approach used for previous generation Macs during transition periods.

The same outlet reports a cascade of discounts across Apple’s broader hardware lineup, suggesting a coordinated promotional push aimed at sustaining momentum after the spring product refresh. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company’s premium smartwatch, is offered at up to $100 off, with configurations such as the Black model with a Black Ocean Band now priced at $700 (regular $799). Similarly, the newly launched Series 11 watches have seen price cuts that bring the 42 mm base model down to $299, a full $100 reduction from its standard price. These markdowns are being applied across multiple band options, including the high‑end Milanese Loop, indicating that Apple is not limiting discounts to entry‑level configurations but is instead targeting the entire high‑margin accessory ecosystem.

Apple’s iPad portfolio is also part of the discount wave. The M4‑powered iPad Air, which debuted last month, is now available for as low as $551, representing a $100 cut from its original price, according to 9to5Mac. The company’s “least pricey current‑gen iPad” has been reduced to $299, a price point that aligns it more closely with the entry‑level iPad market and could pressure competitors that rely on lower‑cost tablets to capture education and consumer segments. By bundling these offers with the ongoing AirPods Pro 3 holiday pricing of $199.99 (regular $249), Apple creates a multi‑product incentive structure that encourages consumers to upgrade multiple devices in a single purchase cycle.

From a market‑share perspective, the breadth of these promotions may reflect Apple’s response to a tightening competitive landscape in the premium laptop and wearable segments. Rivals such as Microsoft and Samsung have recently introduced their own thin‑and‑light laptops with comparable performance metrics, while Garmin and Fitbit continue to erode the high‑end smartwatch market. By delivering modest price reductions rather than deep cuts, Apple preserves the perception of premium pricing while still providing enough fiscal incentive to deter churn to alternative ecosystems. The timing also coincides with the company’s broader supply‑chain recalibrations, as analysts have observed that Apple’s inventory levels for MacBooks have been higher than usual following the transition to M5 silicon.

Overall, the coordinated discount strategy highlighted by 9to5Mac signals a calibrated effort to smooth the rollout of Apple’s newest hardware without sacrificing the brand’s premium aura. The modest $50 premium for the M5 Air over a $300‑discounted M4 model, paired with $100‑level reductions on the Watch Ultra 3, Series 11, and iPad Air, suggests Apple is leveraging price elasticity in the upper‑mid market to drive volume while maintaining healthy margins. As the company navigates a crowded AI‑driven device landscape, these promotions may serve as a short‑term catalyst for sales, but the longer‑term impact will hinge on how quickly the M5 platform can translate its performance edge into differentiated user experiences that justify the incremental cost.