How to Shop Apple at Target: Get the Best Deals on the Devices You Want

The retailer is doubling Apple's footprint in certain stores, giving shoppers even more tech choices.

Published April 5, 2021

BY:
JULIE RAMHOLD

Senior Staff Writer/Consumer Analyst

Target is a 1-stop shop for many consumers, so it's no wonder it lives up to its emblem of a bull's-eye. The retailer features a number of items you should look for when you shop, from groceries to beauty products to comfy clothing. However, if you aren't checking out the electronics section at your local Target store, you might be missing out. That's especially the case if you've embraced the Apple ecosystem.

Whether you want a new iPhone from Target, an Apple Watch, or an iPad, check out our guide on how to shop Apple at Target. We'll tell you what kinds of items you can find, the savings you can expect, and the best time of year to shop for these products.

How to Shop Apple at Target

Which Apple Products Does Target Sell?

When it comes to Apple products at Target, you can expect to shop iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods — and everything in between. You can also buy a variety of accessories, including cables and adapters. You'll even find iPods (remember those?) and HomePod Mini speakers. (The original HomePod has recently been discontinued, which hopefully means hefty discounts before too long.)

What Kinds of Deals Can You Expect?

The best Apple deals at Target tend to show up around big shopping holidays, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can almost always score at least modest savings, though. For instance, at the time of this writing, select iPhones came with a free $300 Target gift card with in-store activation. AirPods Pro at Target were also discounted by $15, and a prepaid iPhone SE came with a free $90 Target gift card in select instances.

The best Apple deals at Target show up around big shopping holidays, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Speaking of gift cards, Target is also an excellent place to shop for Apple gift cards. At the time of this writing, shoppers could receive a $10 Target gift card when they purchased $100 in Apple gift cards online.

When Is the Best Time to Shop Apple at Target?

Savvy shoppers know that Black Friday is a great time to shop for electronics in general. But if you're tempted to head to Apple itself for the biggest shopping holiday of the year, you should reconsider. The tech giant doesn't have a Black Friday sale, per se. Instead, it usually offers gift cards with select purchases, but that's about it — and the largest gift cards often come with the most expensive products. So if you want actual discounts, you'll need to be prepared to shop at other stores, like Target.

Apple Watch at Target
The bull's-eye retailer offered the Apple Watch Series 3 for a starting price of $199.99 during Black Friday 2018. That year, we had predicted the Series 3 would fall to $250, and we only expected that price because we suspected coupons would help lower the cost. But as you can see, Target far surpassed our expectations.

iPad at Target
The device deals at Target go beyond Apple wearables. We routinely see great deals on Apple iPads around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well. For example, in 2019 we saw the latest 10.2" iPad drop to $230 at Target. For the past several years, iPad starting prices without discounts have hovered around $329, and even at the same time in 2019, other stores were still charging at least $250.

Apple Gift Card at Target
If you'd rather opt for an Apple gift card so your recipient can treat themselves, know that Target has had deals on those around Black Friday, too. Historically, we've seen the bull's-eye retailer offer "buy one, get one 30% off" deals on iTunes gift cards. We've also seen the offer of a free $20 Target gift card with the purchase of $100 in Apple gift cards.

Target's Apple Selection Is Expanding

With so many Apple products already available at Target, it might be hard to imagine how the selection could expand. Yet that's exactly what's happening. While the changes are beginning online, Target has plans to bring the new shopping experience in-store, as well. When that happens, shoppers can expect to see Apple products, including accessories and gadgets, in one space in stores, making them easier to shop. Additionally, consumers will be able to see product demonstrations and speak with Target Tech Consultants, who will receive specialized training from Apple itself.

So what kinds of products can you expect to find? Target notes that "the dedicated space features new lighting fixtures and displays for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV and other Apple accessories," which means shoppers will be able to find Apple products for every corner of their home. Plus, Target states that "on Target.com or via the Target app, guests will now find a dedicated Apple experience that features an extended assortment of Apple accessories."

If you're interested in shopping in-store, know that the new Apple experience will be rolling out at the following 17 store locations first:

Monticello, MN
San Jose, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Allen, TX
Hurst, TX
Austin, TX
Irving, TX
San Antonio, TX
Gainesville, FL
Orlando, FL
Clearwater, FL
Miami, FL
North Wales, PA
Newark, DE
Woburn, MA
Nashua, NH
Latham, NY

The in-store experience won't stop there, though. According to Target, we can expect it to come to more stores by the end of fall 2021.

Top Tips for Shopping Apple at Target

Shopping smarter for Apple items at Target is about more than finding the products you want and hoping for a discount. Check out our tips below so you can buy with confidence and save more.

Take Advantage of Specialists

If you're on the fence about buying an Apple product, shopping at Target is a good way to alleviate some of your uncertainty. Now that the retailer will be providing employees with specialized training from Apple, consumers can have more confidence in choosing the right Apple item for them. Coupled with being able to see demonstrations, this means you can basically investigate and choose an Apple product during your next grocery shopping trip.

Target employees will get specialized training from Apple, so consumers can have more confidence in choosing the right Apple product.

Already know what Apple product you want? We recommend ordering online and then utilizing in-store or drive-up pickup to get your new tech even faster.

Pay With Your RedCard

If you're a regular Target shopper, odds are you've heard about the RedCard; both credit and debit options are available. While holding a RedCard can mean early access to big shopping events, one of its biggest draws is the fact that you get 5% off all your purchases at Target stores and on Target.com. And yes, that discount applies to Apple products, which means at a time of year when you might see no other discounts, you can at least get 5% off by shopping at Target. It might not be the highest amount, but saving something is better than saving nothing!

Additionally, in many cases that 5% off can be combined with other store sales and offers. So if you do happen to see a discount on the Apple product you want, you'll save a further 5% by shopping with your RedCard. And as you can apply for either credit or debit options, you can pick the one that fits your needs best.

Shop Apple Gift Cards at Target

Speaking of receiving 5% off, another way to make your money go even further when shopping Apple at Target is to get Apple gift cards. You'll receive 5% off those purchases — and sometimes even bonus Target gift cards with select amounts. While you can only spend Apple gift cards at Apple entities, buying those cards at a discount at Target and being able to use them for apps, music, and more without paying list price is a sweet deal.

Readers, which Apple items will you be shopping for at Target? Let us know in the comments below!