Amazon is expected to host its second major sales event of the year, dubbed “Prime Big Deal Days,” in October, with predictions pointing to a two-day event around October 7th and 8th. The rumored sale comes just as Apple has unveiled a massive fall hardware lineup that includes the iPhone 17, a super-slim iPhone Air, and new versions of the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro. With preorders for some of the new Apple devices already live on Amazon, the fall shopping event could provide an early opportunity for holiday shoppers to score deals on the latest tech.
Another Prime Day, but make it fall
This isn’t Amazon’s first autumn rodeo. The company first launched a second Prime-exclusive sale in October 2022, effectively creating a kickoff for the holiday shopping season that puts pressure on competitors like Walmart and Target to launch their own sales. While Amazon has not officially announced the dates, past events suggest the sale will take place on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. Like its July counterpart, Prime Big Deal Days is exclusive to Prime members, though Amazon typically offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.
Following a four-day July Prime Day that Amazon called its “most successful Prime Day event ever,” there is speculation that the company could extend the October sale beyond its traditional two-day window. The event is a prime time for deep discounts on Amazon’s own devices like Fire TV sticks, Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells, alongside deals on kitchen appliances, vacuums, and other electronics.
Apple unleashes a flood of new hardware
Just in time for the potential sale, Apple has announced its new generation of products. This year’s lineup includes the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, which feature a faster A19 chip, a complete camera system upgrade, and a more durable front cover with improved scratch resistance. Joining them is the all-new iPhone Air, an ultra-thin model with a titanium design and a 48MP main camera.
Apple also refreshed its entire watch lineup. The Apple Watch Series 11 now includes a faster chip and new health features like high blood pressure monitoring and advanced sleep tracking. The budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 gets an Always-On display for the first time, while the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3 adds satellite connectivity and 5G support. The new AirPods Pro 3 also made their debut, promising noise cancellation that is four times stronger than the original model and a built-in heart rate sensor for tracking workouts.
A chance for the first deals on new Apple gear?
While the new iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air are only available for preorder directly from Apple, the new Apple Watch Series 11, Watch SE 3, Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3 are all available for preorder on Amazon. This makes an October Prime sale the first potential opportunity for any kind of discount on Apple’s very latest hardware. The event will also almost certainly feature significant price drops on previous-generation Apple products.
