Scripps News reported on 24 November 2025 that robot vacuums costing around 1,500 dollars dropped to roughly 800 to 900 dollars through the year, and CNET’s Russell Holly said last year’s AirPods Pro hit the lowest price he had seen. The pattern is that older and recently replaced models get the deepest cuts.
This guide to Black Friday tech deals sorts laptops, phones and headphones into wait or buy-now advice using Scripps, a 2022 Tom’s Guide piece on laptops and NBC Select’s tips. The Tom’s Guide article is from 15 November 2022, so use it only for the logic. I did not find a dedicated source for phone and headphone discounts, so those sections are general guidance and labelled as ours.
Why Waiting Often Works for Tech
Scripps says the timing of cyber week, a few weeks before CES, means companies preparing new models may discount older ones deeply. CNET’s Russell Holly told Scripps that older products tend to get bigger markdowns. Scripps also noted that Best Buy’s big TV and laptop sales were live by 24 November 2025, and Staples offered early-access laptops.
| Example (Scripps, 2025) | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Robot vacuums around 1,500 dollars fell to about 800 to 900 dollars during the year | Big price falls happen across the year |
| Last year’s AirPods Pro at the lowest price Holly had seen | Older models get deeper cuts |
| CNET expects heavy discounts on Apple AirTags four-packs | Accessories can be bargains |
| Nintendo Switch 2: look for bundles | Bundles can be the deal |
Laptops
Tom’s Guide’s Tony Polanco wrote in 2022 that you should buy now if your laptop is failing, since you need one; otherwise Black Friday and the days either side are expected to bring the best deals. He noted that manufacturers such as Dell, Microsoft and Apple run their own sales, that recently released models can be discounted and that items sell out. No discount percentage was given, and the article is four years old.
| Situation | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Your laptop is failing | Buy now, since waiting risks a gap |
| You can wait | Set alerts and watch November |
| You want the newest model | Expect smaller discounts |
| You are fine with last year’s model | Look for deeper markdowns |
Our advice is based on the sources’ logic, not new data.
Phones
I did not find a source with 2026 phone discount figures. The Scripps point about older models getting bigger markdowns applies in general, so last year’s phone may be cheaper than the latest model. Check carrier trade-in terms and bundle requirements closely, because they change the real price. This paragraph is our guidance, not sourced data.
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Model year | Older models may be cheaper |
| Trade-in conditions | Credit may depend on the phone’s state |
| Carrier contract or bill credits | They can lock you in |
| Unlocked price | The simplest comparison |
Headphones and Accessories
Scripps quotes CNET’s Russell Holly saying last year’s AirPods Pro hit the lowest price he had seen, and CNET expects heavy discounts on AirTags four-packs. Target’s 2025 ads also listed headphones in its up-to-40-percent-off tech deals, according to TechRadar. Otherwise, I found no dedicated source for headphone discounts.
Andrea Woroch warns that doorbuster deals on off-brand products may be made just for the sale, so a low price on an unknown brand is not always a bargain. For other gadgets, see our guide to the best AI gadgets for 2026.
How to Decide Whether to Wait
NBC Select advises buying promptly when you see a good discount, since inventory can be limited and sell out. A simple rule is to set a target price using the item’s price history, then buy if the sale reaches it. Do not wait past the point where a failing device costs you time or money.
| Buy now if | Wait if |
|---|---|
| The device is failing | The device works fine |
| The price already matches the 12-month low | The price is above the 12-month average |
| Stock is low | Stock is deep and prices are drifting |
