Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

How to buy the new Apple Watch Series 8, SE, and Ultra

“Choice” is apparently Apple’s word of the year, and that’s obvious in its releases from the Apple Far Out event. The redesigned iPhone 14 line now includes a new, larger model, and there’s a new iPad, too — but the largest choice is present in the new range of Apple Watches. Now, you not only have the choice between the new Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch SE 2, but you also have the Apple Watch Ultra to worry about.

But you probably already have a pretty good idea of which of the new smartwatches fits your life, so how can you go about buying one? All three new Apple Watches are now available, so if you’ve been holding out for the massive Apple Watch Ultra, now is the time to buy. Here are the best new Apple Watch deals around.

apple watch series 8 lifestyle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to buy from Apple

Unless you’re looking to buy an LTE Apple Watch on a specific carrier, Apple itself should always be your first port of call. As usual, Apple is offering some solid trade-in deals, and unlike carriers, you’ll be able to buy the Bluetooth models here too. Apple even has finance options, so it’s also a good choice if you’re looking to spread the cost rather than buy upfront.

Trading in an eligible smartwatch will net you up to $155 off the price of your new Apple Watch. A good discount if you’re buying the Apple Watch SE — less good if you’re buying the $799 Apple Watch Ultra. It might have been nice for Apple to allow people to trade in more to recoup some of the enormous cost of the 49mm monster, but since it’s a more niche device anyway, maybe it doesn’t matter.

 from $399, or $16.62 a month for 24 months.

 from $429, or $17.87 a month for 24 months.

 from $799, or $33.29 a month for 24 months.

 from $249, or $10.37 a month for 24 months.

 from $279, or $11.62 a month for 24 months.

How to buy from AT&T

As you might expect, AT&T is only offering the LTE-connected models of the new Apple Watches, so prices will be a little bit higher than you’d see from Apple. You can trade in an eligible device for money off your new Watch, and if your trade-in gets you more than the value of the device, it’ll be issued as an AT&T promotional card. That card can be used to pay for your bills or devices. Aside from that, AT&T is also offering 36-month terms, which means a lower price per month than Apple’s 24-month terms. That could be useful if you’re worried about larger per-month payments.

$500, or $13.89 a month for 36 months.

$530, or $14.73 a month for 36 months.

 from $800, or $22.23 a month for 36 months.

 from $300, or $8.34 a month for 36 months.

 from $330, or $9.17 a month for 36 months.

How to buy from T-Mobile

Like AT&T, T-Mobile only offers the LTE models of the new Apple Watches — which makes sense since carriers want you to grab a watch that uses their network. We’re also back in the world of 24-month payment terms as well, which is a good choice if you want your payments over sooner than AT&T’s terms. There’s no trade-in option, but you can get $200 back when you buy two watches (either two Apple Watches or an Apple Watch and one other eligible smartwatch) and activate a new line. All-in-all, it’s perhaps not the best choice if you’ve got older devices that will otherwise gather dust, but it’s a good choice if you’re looking to grab more than one watch and don’t have anything to trade in.

$500, or $20.84 a month for 24 month.

$530, or $22.09 a month for 24 months.

 from $800, or $33.34 a month for 24 months.

 from $300, or $12.50 a month for 24 months.

 from $330, or $13.75 a month for 24 months.

How to buy from Verizon

You’re used to this by now, probably: There are only LTE models here, no Bluetooth. But putting that aside, you get a pretty good amount of discount options from Verizon. First, by trading in an eligible smartwatch, you can save up to $180. Or, if you’re looking to buy multiple devices, you can get up to $250 off your second Apple Watch Series 8 or Ultra, or up to $150 on a second Apple Watch SE 2, on any Verizon plan. Or, if you’re buying it with an iPhone, you can get a $120 credit toward your Apple Watch.

$500, or $13.88 a month for 36 months.

$530, or $14.72 a month for 36 months.

 from $800, or $22.22 a month for 36 months.

 from $300, or $8.33 a month for 36 months.

 from $330, or $9.16 a month for 36 months.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
Nomad’s new iPhone case and Apple Watch band may be its coolest yet
Nomad Glow 2.0 Sport Case and Apple Watch Sport Band in daylight.

Though the world of Apple accessories is a dime a dozen, one of the better brands that you can buy is Nomad. Nomad has a variety of amazing leather Apple Watch bands and cases, as well as non-leather options, too. In August 2023, Nomad released a one-of-a-kind Glow in the Dark Apple Watch band that sold out in about 12 hours.

Since that Glow in the Dark band was a limited edition, no one was sure if Nomad was going to re-release it, and this explains the high resale prices you’ll find on eBay. But Nomad just released the Glow 2.0 Apple Watch Sport Band as well as a new Glow 2.0 Sport Case for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. And, yes, they're just as wonderful as before.
The new and improved Glow 2.0

Read more
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch SE 2: all the big differences
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9, using the Digital Crown.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE 2 are two excellent Apple wearables that you can use for just about everything you’d expect a smartwatch to do. While both devices are similar in several ways, it’s the differences that become the deal-breakers. That’s why we’ve created this side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed buying decision.

Whether you’re upgrading an older Apple Watch, or this is your very first wearable purchase, you’ll walk away from this article knowing everything you should about both popular Apple gadgets.
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch SE 2: specs

Read more
Why you shouldn’t buy these 5 Apple Watch Series 9 alternatives
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9, showing the Snoopy watch face

Nike Globe watch face Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Not only are there a lot of smartwatches and fitness bands to choose from these days, but the Apple Watch range itself is surprisingly extensive — especially considering it began life with only a single model available. Simply put, it remains the best smartwatch to get if you own an iPhone.

Read more