Everything you need to know about October Prime Day, according to someone who covers it every year

Amazon's October Prime Day event, Prime Big Deal Days, is approaching at an opportune time. Following the recent RAMaggedon, technology prices have been experiencing significant hikes. iPads have been particularly affected, with prices soaring by up to $200 on some models. As Prime Big Deal Days commence on October 6 and 7, it presents a favorable window to contemplate purchasing an iPad.

However, a crucial inquiry arises: Will iPads be discounted during this event? The answer is affirmative; they already are. Nonetheless, the discounts are surprisingly modest, with hopes that prices will further decrease once the official start of Prime Big Deal Days arrives.

In 2026, Apple implemented price hikes across its range, with iPads receiving a particularly substantial impact. Prices were increased between $100 and $200, pushing them far from their previous all-time low points. In the lead-up to Prime Day, iPads are essentially on sale, albeit with minimal savings, often just a 5% discount.

Upon the beginning of the sale on October 6, it is anticipated that more substantial savings of $100 to $200 off iPads will be observed. Ideally, the prices would return to their 2025 levels, or even surpass them. For the iPad featuring the A16 chip, that would translate to a price as low as $271.29, which the device reached last Black Friday.

The iPad Air with M4 chip had a more recent low of $519.99, achieved on May 17, 2026. However, both these prices were set before the 2026 price increase, so we are not anticipating any deals of such magnitude.

Though we are certain that iPads will be available at reduced prices during Prime Big Deal Days, the extent of the discounts remains uncertain. Once Prime Big Deal Days commence, be sure to revisit our coverage for the latest updates on iPad deals.