Ask Lifehacker: Where Can I Find the Best Apple Deals in the UK?

By James Laird on at

Dear Lifehacker UK,

I'm thinking of buying myself a new phone and laptop and would like to move towards Apple's devices. Right now, I use a cheap Android and have an old Windows 7 notebook, so I haven't really bought anything in a while. Every time I check out the gadgets I want, which are an iPhone 5S and a MacBook Pro, they seem so damn expensive. I'm aware that Apple has high prices and rarely discounts its products, but is there any way I can get a good deal here in the UK? Please help.


Cash Strapped

Dear Cash Strapped,

Apple's products seem so damn expensive because they are, and you're absolutely right - it's rare to see them significantly discounted. That said, there are a few things to bear in mind. While you won't get the same kind of price slash you see on Windows or Android products, it is possible to buy Apple devices without remortgaging your house. Here's what you should know.

Where to Start

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The first thing to know about getting a good deal on an Apple product is that you probably won't be buying direct from Apple. It does offer certified refurbished goods across most of its product lines (the iPhone being the exception), but while there's some savings to be had, it's not really comparable to the prices you can find elsewhere. Similarly, Amazon is worth keeping an eye on for price cuts, but if you want to buy Apple on a budget, you'll need to content yourself with second-hand gear and shopping via sites like eBay, Gumtree, and Preloved.

Of those sites, eBay is probably the most reliable as it offers full buyer protection, but Gumtree and Preloved might have the better savings. In case you missed it, here's how to spot a Gumtree scam. The other concern you might have about buying from these sites is that you're acquiring stolen goods. Check out our guide to buying used stuff for some tips on how to spot nicked electronics. It's also worth keeping an eye on the HUKD community - Apple doesn't figure hugely, but when there are deals to be had, you can count on HUKD to point them out.

In the physical world, I've spotted a few decent bargains at CEX - especially on phones - and unlike those dodgy, hole-in-the-wall electronics stores, you'll get a certain amount of coverage for your purchase. Finally, for your iPhone needs, don't forget that most networks will give you one for free (or virtually free) if you sell your soul to them for two years. This is never as cost effective as buying your device outright at the start, but if you want a shiny new handset and can't really afford it, this is a way to spread the cost out.

Back to the Future

back to the future

So, you've come to the realisation that you're probably going to be buying your new Apple kit online and that it'll be second-hand. Except, then you search for 'iPhone 5S' on eBay and - shock horror! - all the devices are nearly as expensive as if you wandered into the nearest Apple Store. The fact is, if you don't want to pay a premium cost for your Apple products, you're going to have to go back a generation or two. This isn't actually such a bad thing, though, as we all probably update our electronics too much. Take the iPhone 5S you just searched for just now. It's still going for a fair whack, probably at least £400 unless you get very lucky (this £379 Buy It Now deal was the best I could find). But now it's a few years old, you can get an iPhone 4S - still a fantastic device - for about £150 on Buy It Now, or less if you have a punt.

Laptops? They're a bit more confusing. As well as the obvious stuff like MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air and Retina vs non-Retina display, you need to pay close attention to the configuration and issue date. For instance, this 13in MacBook Pro seems like a great deal for £590 at Preloved, but the seller doesn't indicate how old the model is. Either contact the seller or check the specs and do a bit of research yourself to find out and make sure you're getting the bargain you think you are. In this case, it's fair to assume its probably an older, 2012 model because it's got a 500GB HDD and Apple's new MacBooks all feature flash storage. It's still a pretty good deal though and you might ever prefer having the additional storage.

Final Thoughts

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One final thing you should bear in mind is Apple's product release tendencies. Typically, the company refreshes its major lines each autumn. This means two things: if you can afford to buy a new or certified refurbished product direct from Apple, summer is probably the time as they often get a (small) price cut. We've seen this over the last few weeks with the MacBook Pro and other products, like the iPad. Secondly, it means that if you're hunting for an older, second-hand product, the lowest point is probably still to come. When Apple unveils the iPhone 6, for example, the iPhone 4S will instantly be three years old and its price will dive further. If you can wait a bit, the best time to buy used electronics is probably in the new year, after all the autumn launches and Christmas rush.

There are a few other considerations if you're buying older, used products. Be aware that one day, you'll fall foul of the software upgrade cycle and not have access to all the latest and greatest features. For instance, iOS 8 isn't coming to the iPhone 4 when it lands later this year, so if you grab the still-great iPhone 4S, it's likely you won't get iOS 9 - just the £400 extra quid in your pocket. As we've mentioned, pay close attention to warranty and repair policies - as Lifehacker UK reader vrikis points out, John Lewis probably offers the best protection in the form of a two-year warranty. Lastly, know that things like the personal engravings Apple has started offering on its iPads generally reduce resale value - so you should be paying below the going rate if you device has "Mum" tattooed across the back.

If I was in your shoes, Cash Strapped, I'd probably go with older second-hand products initially to see how you like Apple and its ecosystem. As a result, I'd wait until January or February to grab myself an iPhone 4S and older MacBook, and then upgrade again if things worked out. Your current devices probably do a lot right if you've had them for so long and, in the meantime, you can brush up on your product knowledge and research how you'd like your MacBook to be configured. If you really can't wait any longer, hopefully you now know a few places to start bargain hunting.


Lifehacker UK