Black Friday 2025: Lingering Tech Deals and What They Signal

Black Friday’s over, officially. Yet, some compelling tech deals – AirPods Pro 3, Pixel Watch 4, Kindle Paperwhite among them – are hanging on. This raises a question: is this a fleeting fire sale or a shift in how we approach holiday shopping?

I’ve been watching these patterns for years. The initial frenzy subsides, but good deals often persist, albeit with caveats. Inventory dwindles, specific configurations vanish, and the hunt becomes a bit more selective. The fact that some deals survive the weekend chaos speaks to retailers getting better at managing stock and gauging demand.

The Verge team evidently spent weeks sifting through offers to unearth actual bargains. It’s a valuable service, given the sheer volume of noise surrounding Black Friday. Their focus on tech – their bread and butter – makes sense. Still, the inclusion of tools, Legos, and board games suggests a broadening scope, perhaps catering to a wider audience seeking diverse gifts.

It’s worth noting the emphasis on digital gifts, too. Streaming services like HBO Max, Paramount Plus, and Disney Plus/Hulu bundles are aggressively discounted. Similarly, subscriptions to Headspace and MasterClass offer experiences over physical items. This reflects a cultural shift towards valuing self-improvement and entertainment delivered digitally. It’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing.

Let’s think about what this means for the future.

Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Deals:

Discounts on smartwatches and fitness trackers are now commonplace during Black Friday. These wearable devices have moved past early-adopter status, becoming mainstream gadgets. We are seeing innovation at a peak. Prices will inevitably continue to lower as the market matures and competition intensifies.

Tablet and E-Reader Deals:

Tablets and e-readers continue to hold their own despite the dominance of smartphones. The Kindle Paperwhite’s continued popularity, alongside tablet deals, underscores the appeal of dedicated devices for reading and media consumption. That said, these devices need to stay relevant by giving more functionality. The e-ink technology in Kindles, for instance, hasn’t radically changed and its benefits are starting to be outweighed by multi-functionality on Tablets.

Soundbar and Speaker Deals:

Audio gear routinely gets discounted, and soundbars and speakers are no exception. The home entertainment market remains robust. People will always seek better audio experiences. This product sector continues to grow despite economic challenges.

Looking at these continuing deals, I suspect a few things are at play:

Inventory Management: Retailers are getting smarter. They’re not caught off guard by demand. They can keep sales going longer without completely depleting stock. Strategic Pricing: These prolonged sales might not be about clearing out old inventory. It might be about attracting new customers or boosting subscriptions beyond the initial rush. The Amazon Effect: Amazon has conditioned us to expect deals year-round. Black Friday has become more of a starting gun than a one-day sprint.

Mild skepticism is warranted, though. Not every “deal” is truly a bargain. Sometimes, older models are disguised as fresh markdowns. Doing your homework and comparing prices across multiple sources remains crucial.

I see a growing sophistication in how consumers approach Black Friday. We’re less susceptible to hype and more focused on value. We’re patient. We understand that good deals can linger, and we’re willing to hunt for them.

This isn’t just about finding the cheapest gadget. It’s about making informed choices that align with our needs and priorities. It’s about navigating the noise and identifying actual opportunities to upgrade our lives, one discounted item at a time. The smart money will be on these lingering deals. We will need to stay alert and avoid getting swayed. The deals that continue to be the best tend to stay the same. But it is wise to monitor the price shifts and be ready to act fast.

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Keywords: Black Friday tech deals, AirPods Pro 3 deals, Pixel Watch 4 deals, Kindle Paperwhite deals, Smartwatch Black Friday, Tablet Black Friday, Soundbar deals, Speaker deals