Apple’s Black Friday Sale Versus Other Retailers

Earlier this week, the tech giant has announced its very own one-day sale to commence on Friday, Nov. 28 which is dubbed as a (RED) Special Shopping Day Promo. The campaign as its name implies, portions from the Black Friday sales will be donated to (RED) which is supporting HIV/AIDS research, prevention and awareness in Africa.

During the campaign, Apple shoppers will get iTunes gift cards which come in different amounts depending on what they purchased. The following list shows the various denominations based on Network World's report. Purchases of the iPhone 6 will be accompanied with a US$50 gift card. Purchases of select iPads will come with a US$50 gift card. Select Macs purchases will be accompanied by a US$100 gift cards. Finally, purchases of Apple TV, iPods and Beats accessories will come with a US$25 gift card.

Despite the sale for a cause that Apple will be offering this coming Black Friday, other retailers also have prepared great deals on iPhones and other Apple devices and wearables. Walmart already started offering US$100 gift card with an iPad Air 2 purchase and a US$75 gift card for every iPhone 6 purchases. In addition, the base model iPad Air 2 is available for US$489 while the base model iPhone 6 is sold at US$179 (comes with a two-year contract). Apparently, Walmart offers great deals for as long as supplies or stocks are still available. Other Black Friday Apple deals are available at Best Buy, Target, and Sam's Club.

Looking back, Apple's Black Friday sale is one of the most anticipated and most looked-out for sales of the season. However, Apple's offers turn out to be one of the worst in terms of savings, according to Deal News. In the past shopping events, Apple has provided discounts for Macs and iPads that range from 5 percent to 10 percent, but said discounts cannot even be compared to the much bigger discounts that MacMall and Best Buy offer.

Just last year, the giant tech company applied a different approach. Instead of the usual discounts, it sold devices in full original cost and bundled with Apple gift cards. For example, Apple sold the 16GB iPad Air for the retail price of US$499 with a US$75 gift card. The company is still using the concept of gift cards but this time the company will be using the promo to entice shoppers to purchase and donate.

Finally, for this year's Black Friday event, Apple shoppers can go to Apple retail shops. But they also have the option to go to resellers like Best Buy, Walmart and MacMall which can provide prices that are up to US$200 cheaper versus Apple's best deals.