Amazon pushes Prime Big Deal Days discounts on Apple, Kindle and robot vacuums

The Big Picture

Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days sale is underway after the retailer began promoting discounts before the event's official start. The Verge reported that the sale began at 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 6 and was scheduled to run through 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 8.

The early promotion initially centered largely on Amazon hardware, but the range of deals expanded to include Apple products, e-readers, home appliances, monitors, cameras and robot vacuum and mop combinations, according to The Verge. The publication said some discounts are available only to Prime members, while other retailers are matching or beating Amazon prices on certain products.

What Happened

Among the more prominent reported price cuts are discounts on Apple's M5 MacBook Air. The Verge said Amazon listed the 13-inch model with 512GB of storage for $1,099, down from $1,299. The 15-inch model with the same storage capacity was listed at $1,299, down from $1,499.

Amazon also listed several iPad Mini configurations at $100 off, The Verge reported. The 128GB Wi-Fi model was priced at $499, the 256GB Wi-Fi version at $599 and the 128GB cellular model at $649.

Other Apple discounts included AirPods Pro 3 at $179, compared with an original price of $249, according to The Verge. The publication described the earbuds as including noise cancellation, five ear-tip sizes and live translation.

Amazon's own Kindle line was also included. The Verge reported that the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition was listed at $169.99, down from $249.99. That model includes 32GB of storage, wireless charging, no lock-screen ads and an ambient-light sensor. The standard Kindle Paperwhite was listed at $149.99, down from $199.99.

Why It Matters

The October event gives shoppers another major promotional period before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Verge said the sale offers an indication of discounts that could return later in the holiday shopping season, although it did not say that current prices would necessarily be repeated.

The sale also illustrates how Amazon's event can prompt wider competition. For robot vacuum and mop products, The Verge reported that discounts were not limited to Prime members or Amazon. Best Buy and manufacturers were among other sellers participating in promotions on models from brands including Roborock, Dreame, Narwal, Eufy, Deebot and SwitchBot.

That broader competition may matter for consumers who do not have a Prime membership or who prefer another retailer. The Verge's Apple deals roundup similarly said other retailers were often matching or beating Amazon prices, though it did not identify specific competing prices in its overview.

What Happens Next

Amazon's sale is scheduled to conclude early Oct. 8, based on the timetable reported by The Verge. Deals may change during the event, and eligibility can differ by product, particularly where offers require a Prime membership.

Shoppers considering a purchase may want to compare a product's price across retailers and check whether a listed promotion is restricted to Prime members. The Verge's coverage, like much commerce journalism, includes affiliate links and says Vox Media may receive a commission from purchases made through those links.