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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchDeal status: The $299 Apple Watch Series 11 offer was real, but it was a Presidents’ Day promotion that ended on February 16, 2026. It should not be presented as a live October 2026 deal. Engadget reported the price for a 42mm GPS aluminum model, $100 below Apple’s then-$399 starting price. This guide records the exact configuration, explains who it suited, and gives you a realistic target price for the next sale.
What the $299 Apple Watch deal actually was
Engadget reported the offer on February 16, 2026, the final day of the U.S. Presidents’ Day event. The discounted watch was a 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 with an aluminum case, GPS connectivity and a small/medium band. At $299, it was $100 below the $399 Apple starting price at the time. Engadget described it as the lowest price it had seen, which is narrower than an all-time-low claim. 9to5Mac independently reported Series 11 models starting at $299 during the same sale.
The promotion was tied to that February event. Unless a retailer separately verifies a repeat price, the $299 listing is historical rather than available to order today.
Colors and band combinations
- Jet Black aluminum with Black Sport Band
- Space Gray aluminum with Black Sport Band
- Rose Gold aluminum with Light Blush Sport Band
- Silver aluminum with Purple Fog Sport Band
The headline price did not apply to every Series 11. A 46mm case, GPS + Cellular connectivity, titanium construction or a different band could cost more. Check the complete SKU before comparing prices.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Engadget’s original report is available at Engadget, while 9to5Mac’s contemporaneous roundup is at 9to5Mac.
How the Series 11 compares with Apple’s regular pricing
Apple’s current U.S. selector lists the 42mm GPS aluminum Series 11 from $399 and the 46mm GPS aluminum version from $429. GPS + Cellular starts at $499, while titanium models start at $699. See Apple’s current configurations at Apple.com.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
| Configuration | Historical Presidents’ Day price | Apple price baseline | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42mm GPS aluminum | $299 | From $399 | Small/medium band; four reported color combinations |
| 46mm GPS aluminum | $329 | From $429 | Larger display and case |
| 42mm GPS + Cellular aluminum | $399 | From $499 | Connectivity away from an iPhone |
| 46mm GPS + Cellular aluminum | $429 | Not stated in the cited Apple listing | Larger case plus cellular |
The sale figures in the table are February 16, 2026 prices reported by 9to5Mac, not current October 2026 quotations. Retailer inventory, seller, condition and checkout price can differ from Apple’s list price.
What you get with Apple Watch Series 11
Apple lists an always-on Retina display rated up to 2,000 nits, the S10 chip, GPS, and up to 24 hours of standard battery life or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Fast charging can reach 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes; actual endurance varies with usage.
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
- ECG, high- and low-heart-rate notifications and irregular-rhythm notifications
- Sleep tracking, sleep score and sleep-apnea notifications
- Hypertension notifications, the Vitals app and temperature sensing
- Cycle tracking, Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Optional cellular connectivity
These are monitoring and notification features, not a promise that the watch diagnoses hypertension, sleep apnea or another medical condition. Eligibility and availability can vary by region and regulation. Apple’s full specifications are on its official product page. Blood Oxygen availability can also depend on market and configuration.
GPS or cellular: which version makes sense?
Choose GPS
- You normally carry an iPhone and want the lowest purchase price.
- You mainly need fitness tracking, notifications and GPS workouts.
- You do not want a recurring carrier charge.
Apple says GPS models use a nearby iPhone or Wi-Fi for calls, texts and notifications when they are not otherwise connected.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Pay more for GPS + Cellular
- You regularly run, cycle or travel without your iPhone.
- You need calls, messages or data while the phone is elsewhere.
- You are setting up Apple Watch For Your Kids, which requires a cellular model.
Cellular adds hardware cost and normally requires a compatible carrier plan. A discount on the watch does not remove that monthly expense. Apple explains the distinction on its buying page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.42mm or 46mm?
The 42mm model was the deal’s value choice. It is easier to wear on smaller wrists and was the only size attached to the $299 headline. The 46mm offers a larger viewing area and can make reading or typing easier; its historical GPS sale price was $329. Choose the case that fits your wrist and eyes rather than treating the smaller discount as the only consideration.
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Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yzp82pFOL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Other Apple deals reported during the event
Engadget listed these Amazon-linked prices on February 16, 2026. They were time-sensitive and are not current offers without a fresh retailer check.
| Product | Sale price | Reported regular price | Reported saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-generation AirTag, 4-pack | $64 | $99 | $35 |
| Apple Crossbody Strap | About $27 | $59 | About $32 |
| AirPods 4 | $99 | $129 | $30 |
| iPhone Air MagSafe Battery | $79 | $99 | $20 |
| Apple Magic Mouse | About $68 | $79 | About $11 |
| iPad mini with A17 Pro | $399 | $499 | $100 |
9to5Mac also reported AirPods Max at $449 (from $549), AirPods Pro 3 at $210 (from $249), iPad mini configurations beginning at $399, M4 Mac mini discounts of up to $100 at B&H, additional Apple Watch Ultra reductions, and historical iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max markdowns. Those figures likewise belong to the February event.
Checks to make before buying a future deal
- Match the SKU: Confirm 42mm or 46mm, GPS or cellular, aluminum or titanium, band size and color.
- Verify condition and seller: Marketplace listings can be third-party, used or refurbished even when the headline resembles a new-product deal.
- Check the final checkout total: Color, destination, shipping and inventory can change the displayed price.
- Confirm fit: The $299 configuration used a small/medium band; select a compatible size for your wrist.
- Plan for charging: Series 11 does not include a power adapter. You still need a compatible Apple Watch charging cable and a suitable USB-C power source; see Apple’s product listing.
- Check iPhone requirements: Apple Watch requires an iPhone for setup and core use. Confirm the currently supported iPhone and operating-system versions before ordering.
- Review regional health features: ECG, hypertension, sleep-apnea and Blood Oxygen features can have eligibility or regional limitations.
Should you wait for another $299 price?
Use $299 as a sensible target for a new 42mm GPS aluminum Series 11 with the same kind of band. Do not assume a future sale date or that every color will reach it. Monitor major holiday events and compare the exact retailer SKU, seller and return terms. If you need a larger display, standalone connectivity or rugged outdoor hardware, paying more for the 46mm, cellular Series 11 or an Ultra may be appropriate—but those are different products, not equivalent substitutes for the $299 deal.
For official product context, Apple maintains pages for AirPods, AirTag, iPad mini, Mac mini and Apple Watch Ultra. Prices on those pages are not the February sale prices.
The Bottom Line
The Presidents’ Day $299 price was a genuine $100 cut on a specific 42mm GPS aluminum Apple Watch Series 11, but that promotion ended February 16, 2026. Treat $299 as a useful benchmark for a future sale, and verify the exact configuration, seller, condition and checkout price before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
