Apple Watch Series 11 at $299 Pre-Prime Day: Should You Buy Now or Wait for Series 12?
The Apple Watch Series 11 just hit $299 at Amazon and Best Buy — a $100 discount that matches its all-time lowest price. With Prime Day starting June 23 and the Series 12 expected in September with blood pressure monitoring, the question every iPhone owner is asking is simple: buy now or wait?
Current Deal
Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS at $299 — $100 off at Amazon and Best Buy, matching the all-time low price.
Buy Now If
You want a great smartwatch today at 25% off and don't need blood pressure monitoring.
Wait If
Blood pressure tracking is a priority — the Series 12 arrives in September at $399 with a new eight-sensor array.
What Does the $299 Apple Watch Series 11 Get You?
The Apple Watch Series 11remains Apple's current flagship smartwatch, and at $299 it delivers exceptional value. You get the S11 chip, an always-on OLED Retina display, blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, heart rate tracking with irregular rhythm notifications, crash detection, fall detection, and temperature sensing. It is water resistant to 50 meters and offers up to 18 hours of battery life — or 36 hours in low power mode.
Crucially, the Series 11 will receive watchOS 27 this September, bringing the new Gemini-powered Siri, improved health insights, and Modular Ultra-style watch faces. You will not miss out on the major software upgrade by buying now.
What Will the Apple Watch Series 12 Offer?
The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected in the second week of September alongside iPhone 18. The headline feature is blood pressure trend monitoring, powered by a redesigned eight-sensor biosensor array arranged in a ring configuration on the back of the watch. This would make it the first Apple Watch to track blood pressure patterns — a feature that could alert you to hypertension risks before symptoms appear.
The Series 12 is expected to start at $399 — the same launch price as the Series 11. That means you are effectively paying a $100 premium (compared to today's deal) for blood pressure monitoring and whatever other sensor improvements the new hardware brings.
How Does This Compare to Other Smartwatch Deals?
The $299 Series 11 is not the only deal available right now. Here is how the best pre-Prime Day smartwatch values stack up:
- Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS): $299 at Amazon — best iPhone-compatible smartwatch deal
- Apple Watch Ultra 3: $610 at Amazon — $189 off, best deal for the rugged model
- Google Pixel Watch 3: $247 at Amazon — $102 off, best Android smartwatch value
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: $224 refurbished on eBay — deepest discount if you do not mind refurbished
- Garmin Venu 4: $399 on eBay — best for fitness-focused buyers who want Garmin's ecosystem
Will Prime Day on June 23 Bring Better Prices?
Possibly, but do not count on dramatic improvements. Last year's Prime Day discounted the then-current Apple Watch by $50–80, and the Series 11 is already $100 off. We might see flash deals at $279–289 on select colors during the 48-hour event, but the $299 deal available now is essentially the Prime Day price — just earlier. If you see a model and color you want at $299, there is minimal risk in buying now rather than gambling on a slightly better Prime Day deal that may sell out in hours.
Our Recommendation: Who Should Buy Now vs. Wait
Buy now at $299 if: You need a smartwatch today, you are coming from an older Apple Watch or no watch at all, and you are happy with heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking. You will still get watchOS 27 and the new Gemini-powered Siri this fall.
Wait for Series 12 if: Blood pressure monitoring is a genuine priority for your health — perhaps your doctor has flagged hypertension risk, or you want the most complete health sensor suite. The three-month wait and $100 premium are worth it for the new sensor technology.
Consider Android alternatives if: You use a Samsung or Pixel phone. The Pixel Watch 3 at $247 is a better value on Android, and the Galaxy Watch 9 launches July 25 with the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. Compare all options in our smartwatch guide or use our compare tool.
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Apple Watch Deal FAQ
Common questions about the Apple Watch Series 11 pre-Prime Day deal
Quick answers to help you decide whether to grab the $299 deal now or wait for Series 12 in September.
How much is the Apple Watch Series 11 before Prime Day 2026?
The Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS is available for $299 at Amazon and Best Buy — a $100 discount from the regular $399 price. This matches the all-time lowest price for this model.
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 11 now or wait for Series 12?
Buy now if you need a smartwatch today and want to save $100. Wait if blood pressure monitoring is a must-have feature — the Series 12 arrives in September at $399 with a redesigned sensor array for blood pressure trend tracking.
Will Apple Watch Series 11 prices drop further on Prime Day?
The current $299 price matches the all-time low. Prime Day on June 23 may bring brief dips to $279–289 on select colors, but the $100 discount is already the deepest sustained cut we have seen.
Will the Apple Watch Series 11 get watchOS 27?
Yes. The Apple Watch Series 11 is fully compatible with watchOS 27, which arrives in September 2026. You will get the new Gemini-powered Siri, improved health insights, and all new software features without needing to upgrade to Series 12.
What is the best Apple Watch deal right now in June 2026?
The Apple Watch Series 11 at $299 is the best value. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also discounted to around $610 on Amazon if you want the rugged model. Both are at or near their all-time low prices ahead of Prime Day.