As the holiday season reaches its peak, shoppers across the United States, Canada, and even Australia are scrambling to find the perfect last-minute gifts for loved ones. This year, Apple has stepped up in a big way, offering a combination of enticing deals on the Apple Watch Series 11 and a special Christmas Eve delivery promotion that has tech enthusiasts buzzing. According to CNET, these offers are not only making the latest Apple Watch more affordable but also ensuring that procrastinators can still get their gifts under the tree—right on time.
On December 23, 2025, CNET published a comprehensive guide to the best deals available for the Apple Watch Series 11, highlighting a range of discounts and special offers from major retailers. The Series 11, Apple’s latest iteration of its iconic smartwatch, starts at $399 for the 42 mm model and $429 for the larger 46 mm version. For those wanting cellular connectivity, there’s an additional $100 charge. But thanks to aggressive holiday pricing, shoppers are seeing prices dip well below those starting points.
Best Buy, for example, is offering a flat $100 off select models of the Series 11 and stacking on trade-in savings that could reach up to $335, depending on the device being traded. That means an eligible customer could walk away with a brand new Series 11 at a fraction of its usual price. Additionally, Best Buy is sweetening the pot for fitness fans: new subscribers receive four months of Apple Fitness Plus for free with any Apple Watch purchase, and up to three months of Apple Music are also included for new or returning subscribers.
Walmart and Amazon have joined the fray with their own competitive pricing. Both retailers are advertising the Apple Watch Series 11 for $299—a straight $100 discount from its regular $399 price tag. Walmart is also offering a suite of Apple service trials with each purchase, including up to four months of Apple Music, three months of Apple Fitness Plus, three months of Apple TV Plus, four months of Apple Arcade, and three months of Apple News Plus. These perks, however, are limited to new or returning subscribers.
Target is keeping pace, offering the Series 11 for $300, but there’s a catch: shoppers must be Target Circle members to access the deal. Fortunately, membership is free, and using a Target Circle card at checkout knocks an additional 5% off the purchase price. For those who prefer shopping with their mobile carrier, Verizon and AT&T are both in on the action. Verizon customers adding a line or upgrading an existing one can trade in their old smartwatch for up to $300 off the new Series 11, dropping the monthly cost to about $6 over 36 months. There’s even an option to get the watch free with the purchase of an iPhone 17, provided a watch line is activated. AT&T is offering $100 off select Apple Watch models via 36 monthly billing credits, and an extra $100 off with the purchase of an eligible iPhone 17 series or iPhone Air on a qualifying plan.
Color options for the Series 11 include jet black, silver, rose gold, and space gray, giving shoppers plenty of choices to match their style or the tastes of their gift recipient. For those considering an upgrade, CNET’s review suggests that owners of older Apple Watch models will see significant improvements by moving to the Series 11, while those with more recent versions should compare features to decide if the leap is worthwhile.
But Apple’s holiday generosity doesn’t stop at discounts. According to TrendHunter.com, on December 24, 2025, Apple announced it would waive delivery fees for Christmas Eve purchases—a move aimed squarely at last-minute shoppers desperate to get gifts in time. In select metropolitan areas across the US and Canada, customers can purchase in-stock Apple products—including the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats headphones—and have them delivered for free within two hours. The delivery is handled by Apple’s courier partners, such as Postmates and Uber Eats, depending on the location. In Australia, a similar promotion offers three-hour delivery for eligible purchases.
This initiative is more than just a convenience; it’s a strategic play in the increasingly competitive world of retail logistics. As TrendHunter.com points out, the rise of hyper-local instant logistics—driven by partnerships between tech giants and delivery services—is transforming consumer expectations. Retailers are now racing to eliminate delivery fees on express services, seeking to capture the attention (and wallets) of last-minute shoppers who demand convenience and speed.
Industry analysts see these moves as part of a broader trend. Rapid delivery partnerships are reshaping how electronics retailers approach customer experience, pushing them to innovate not just in product design but in how they get those products into consumers’ hands. Technology companies like Apple, by collaborating with logistics firms, are redefining what’s possible in modern retail. The result? A customer experience that’s both fast and frictionless, especially when time is of the essence.
For shoppers, the impact is immediate and tangible. Imagine realizing on Christmas Eve that you’ve forgotten a crucial gift, only to discover you can order an Apple Watch and have it delivered to your door within hours—at no extra charge. That’s the kind of service that can turn a stressful holiday scramble into a story of last-minute triumph.
Of course, these promotions are also designed to drive sales during one of the most competitive shopping periods of the year. By waiving delivery fees and offering deep discounts, Apple and its retail partners are hoping to capture a bigger slice of the holiday spending pie. And with the Apple Watch Series 11 being one of the most sought-after tech gifts of the season, it’s a win-win for both the company and consumers.
For those weighing their options, there’s never been a better time to consider the Apple Watch Series 11. With prices starting as low as $299 at major retailers, trade-in offers that can slash hundreds off the sticker price, and a dizzying array of free Apple service trials, the value proposition is hard to beat. Add in the peace of mind that comes from knowing your gift can arrive within hours—even on Christmas Eve—and it’s easy to see why these deals are selling out fast.
All told, Apple’s holiday strategy this year is a masterclass in meeting consumer needs for both affordability and convenience. By combining aggressive discounts with innovative delivery solutions, the tech giant is ensuring its products are top of mind—and top of the gift list—as the clock ticks down to Christmas morning.