Best Buy Doorbuster Event Day 18: Apple Watch Series 2 Stainless Steel Models Starting at $349

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Today marks the 18th day of Best Buy's 20 Days of Doorbusters holiday shopping event, and brings with it a $200 discount on the original price of the higher-end, stainless steel models of last year's Apple Watch Series 2. While stainless steel cases were occasionally marked down this season, aluminum models tend to get the heaviest discounts, so Best Buy's sale prices are definitely a good opportunity for anyone who's been looking for a non-Sport Apple Watch and who doesn't mind owning a previous generation device.

bb apple watch series 2 salesNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The models appear to be selling fast, with some requiring you to find a nearby store for stock since they are sold out online. The full list of Series 2 models on sale is below:

Although not part of the Doorbuster event, Best Buy also has $50 off the aluminum Series 1 models this week, knocking down 38mm to $199.00 and 42mm to $229.00. Right now, Target is beating those prices with 38mm at $179.99 and 42mm at $209.99 while supplies last. Additionally, Best Buy has savings of up to $150 on select MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and 12-inch MacBook devices.

For those interested, the headlining Doorbuster item today are the Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, priced at $149.99, down from $279.99.

Our exclusive promo code for 15 percent off any full-priced item at Nomad has also been extended to December 20, giving you an extra couple of days to shop the retailer's website for accessories like Apple Watch stands, iPhone X cases, and more. Visit our blog post for more information on the exclusive promotion, and then place your order at Nomad before 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to get your discount.

Anyone looking for deals on Mac software might be interested in a 20 percent off sale on Affinity's creative apps Affinity Photo (Mac, iPad, and Windows) and Affinity Designer (Mac and Windows). Developer Serif announced today that this discount will run through January 5 for all versions of its apps on Mac, iOS, and Windows PC.

The price brings the desktop apps to $39.99, down from $49.99, while Affinity Photo on iPad is getting an extra 25 percent discount and will run for $14.99 from the iOS App Store during the sale [Direct Link]. Here is a quick description of each app from Serif:

Affinity Photo, available on Mac, Windows and iPad, pushes the boundaries for photo editing software. Its huge toolset is specifically engineered with creative and photography professionals in mind. Whether you are editing and retouching images, or importing RAW files and creating expansive multi-layered compositions with hundreds of layers, it has all the power and performance you will ever need. The iOS version was this month named App of the Year by Apple.

Affinity Designer, on Mac and Windows, is a complete vector graphic design solution brought to life in the fastest, smoothest, most precise software around. Each feature, tool, panel and function has been developed with the needs of creative professionals at its heart. With continuous innovation and development, the result is a ground-breaking application that will revolutionise how you work.

For those keeping an eye on Best Buy's sale as it winds down this week, tomorrow will see a discount on MacBook and on the last day the retailer will mark down a big-screen smart 4K TV. Make sure to head over to our full Deals Roundup to stay updated on these sales and more as the holiday shopping season continues.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: Best Buy

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Top Rated Comments

kyjaotkb Avatar
kyjaotkb
104 months ago
Not sure I could justify $349 for a steel AW2, versus $359 for an aluminum AW3.
At this price, it's a steel!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redscull Avatar
redscull
104 months ago
Might be last year’s model, but it’s the latest steel model without the red dot on the crown.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cknibbs Avatar
cknibbs
104 months ago
That's actually not true. Series 3 is faster with or without the red dot.

Series 3:
Processor Apple S3 and Apple W2
Number of Cores 2
Architecture 32-bit
Built-in Memory 512 MB

Series 2:
Processor Apple S2
Processor Speed 780 MHz
Number of Cores2
Architecture32-bit
MEMORY
Built-in Memory512 MB

The S3 is supposedly 70% faster than the S2...and as an S2 owner, WatchOS4 without a doubt slowed down my watch. It's easily 50% slower in my use. I don't want LTE and but am not happy with the performance of the watch now. Unfortunately, I paid $1099 for a Series 0 SS + SB Link and $699 for a Series 2 SS w/ Black sport band (reusing my SS Band from Series 0).

I wouldn't buy a Series 2 Apple Watch today. Watch OS 5 next year is going to slow it down even further.
I think you misunderstood. They were not saying it is identical to the series 3 but without a red dot, they were saying it is the best SS Apple Watch you can buy that doesn’t have the red dot.

Maybe I’m the only one, but I’d love a non-LTE version of the SS Series 3. The difference between the Sport and the SS is night and day. When I had a sport it always felt like a device on my wrist and eventually I almost sold it. Instead I took a look at the SS models and they actually feel like a watch. I won’t ever be able to go back to the sport after the SS.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KazKam Avatar
KazKam
104 months ago
I was the opposite. I can actually justify the cost of the stainless because of the Sapphire. I can attest many times that I have hit the display on something and the Sapphire display has paid for itself with the protection against scratches or scuffs on it. And I have no damage at all to my Apple Watch display because of the Sapphire. So for me, that alone is worth the price tag.
I would agree with this. I have a SS S0 and though it wasn't the main reason I bought the SS, it has probably saved my watch face a few times. I've really hit that sucker HARD way more than once and the glass is still flawless.

However, the design of the AW does lend itself to being hit on the face more. All my traditional watches have some sort of raised bezel around the face protecting it somewhat. I hit the AW face on stuff all the time, mostly because the entire face is glass.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
satchmo Avatar
satchmo
104 months ago
The problem is finding any in stock in your area. They don't seem to have direct shipping...only store pickup.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erinsarah Avatar
erinsarah
104 months ago
Not sure I could justify $349 for a steel AW2, versus $359 for an aluminum AW3.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments