Watch discounts rise as new Apple, Samsung, Google models roll out

As several manufacturers roll out new models this fall, retailers are discounting earlier smartwatches, offering shoppers lower-cost options across Apple, Samsung, Google, and other lines. Major reductions include Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Best Buy for 649, down from 799, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 at Amazon for about 315, down from 350. Refurbished older devices are also appearing at steep discounts from third party sellers.

The discounts follow recent product introductions. Apple released an updated entry model in September, the Watch SE 3, priced around 249, and retailers have started clearing inventory of the prior SE 2. The SE 2 remains on sale in some colors and sizes for roughly 199, and historically has dropped as low as 149 during earlier sales periods. The SE 2 provides standard fitness and connectivity features and up to 18 hours of battery life, but does not support blood oxygen readings, ECG heart checks, or skin temperature sensing that appear on higher-end models.

Samsung and Google are also driving price movement. The Galaxy Watch 8 and the reinstated Galaxy Watch 8 Classic are available with discounts. Some international listings show the 43mm Classic for about...