A $149 discount is genuinely unusual for Apple hardware
In the quiet aftermath of Amazon's October Prime Day, a few discounted tablets linger on the shelves of the digital marketplace — a brief extension of the seasonal ritual of saving. Apple and Samsung have each offered meaningful reductions on capable devices, and for those who missed the main event, this small window represents one of the rarer moments when premium technology meets a more accessible price. The deals expire soon, and Black Friday waits further down the calendar as the next station on the consumer's perennial journey.
- The two-day Prime Day event has ended, but a narrow window of lingering discounts is still open — and it closes tomorrow.
- Apple's iPad Mini drops $149 to $350, a rare markdown on a compact, capable device that seldom goes on sale.
- Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 falls $162 to $758, offering high-end specs and expandable storage at an unusually low price.
- ZDNet's editorial vetting process — comparing live prices against historical data and hands-on testing — adds a layer of trust to the urgency.
- Shoppers who miss this window aren't stranded: Black Friday and competing retailer sales offer another wave of tablet deals on the horizon.
Amazon's October Prime Day has come and gone, but a handful of tablet deals are still alive — for now. The window closes tomorrow, making this a final call for anyone who has been weighing a purchase.
The Apple iPad Mini (6th generation) stands out at $350, down $149 from its usual $499. Built around an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and Apple's A15 Bionic chip, it supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and runs iPadOS 16 with features like Stage Manager and external display connectivity. It's a rare discount on a device known for holding its price.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 is down $162 to $758, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and available with up to 12GB of RAM and storage expandable to 1TB. Its 11-inch display handles streaming and gaming with clarity, offering performance without excessive bulk.
ZDNet's recommendations aren't simply deal-spotting — they involve historical price comparisons and direct product experience, ensuring that a discount reflects genuine value rather than manufactured urgency.
For those who can wait, Black Friday will bring another round of markdowns across the tablet market. But these specific prices disappear tomorrow, and both discounts are considered uncommon enough that waiting may mean paying more.
Amazon's October Prime Day officially wrapped up this week, but the bargain hunting isn't quite over. A handful of tablet discounts are still live across major retailers, though the window to claim them is closing fast—these prices vanish tomorrow. If you've been eyeing a new iPad or Samsung tablet, now is the moment to decide.
The two standout deals still available are worth examining closely. Apple's iPad Mini in its sixth generation is marked down by $149, bringing the price to $350 from its original $499. This is the company's smallest tablet, built around an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and powered by an A15 bionic chip. It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and runs iPadOS 16, which includes features like Stage Manager and the ability to connect to an external display if you need a larger workspace. For anyone who wants a portable tablet without sacrificing capability, this represents genuine savings on a device that rarely goes on sale.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 is discounted by $162, dropping to $758 from $920. The tablet ships with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and starts at 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card. Inside sits Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The 11-inch LCD screen strikes a balance between screen real estate and portability, and the high resolution means streaming video and gaming both look sharp. This is a tablet built for people who want performance and screen quality without the bulk of a larger device.
ZDNet's approach to recommending these deals involves more than just spotting a discount. The publication combs through available sales, compares prices against historical data, and draws on hands-on experience with the products themselves. The goal is straightforward: ensure that the money you spend actually buys you something worth having. In a landscape where sales events happen constantly and prices shift daily, that kind of vetting matters.
October Prime Day itself ran for just two days, October 8 and 9, and was exclusive to Amazon Prime members. But the broader retail calendar means this isn't your last chance at tablet discounts. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and other major retailers all run competing sales during the same week, so comparing prices across platforms can sometimes surface even better values. And if you can wait, Black Friday will bring another round of significant markdowns across the tablet market.
The practical question for anyone reading this is whether $149 or $162 in savings justifies buying now versus waiting. For the iPad Mini, the discount is substantial enough that it's unlikely to drop further before the holidays. The Galaxy Tab S9 discount is similarly rare. But the real urgency here is simply that these particular prices expire tomorrow—after that, you're back to full retail or whatever deals emerge elsewhere.
Notable Quotes
ZDNet only recommends devices it can stand behind, using thorough price comparisons and personal experience to determine which deals are worth buying— ZDNet editorial methodology
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does it matter that these deals are expiring tomorrow? Aren't there always tablet sales happening somewhere?
There are, but not on these specific models at these specific prices. The iPad Mini rarely goes on sale at all—Apple controls its pricing tightly. A $149 discount is genuinely unusual. The Galaxy Tab S9 is older hardware now, so the $162 off reflects that it's being cleared out. Once these deals vanish, you're waiting for Black Friday or the next Prime Day.
How do you know these are actually good deals and not just marketing noise?
ZDNet tested both tablets themselves and compared these prices against what they've cost historically. They're not just reporting the discount—they're saying these prices represent real value based on what the hardware actually does and what it normally costs.
Is there a reason someone would pick the iPad Mini over the Galaxy Tab?
The iPad Mini is smaller and lighter, better for reading or one-handed use. The Galaxy Tab S9 has a bigger screen and more RAM, so it's better for multitasking or gaming. It depends on what you actually do with a tablet.
What happens if I wait for Black Friday instead?
You might find similar or better discounts, but you also might not. These particular deals are gone tomorrow. Black Friday is a gamble—sometimes prices are better, sometimes they're the same. If you need a tablet now, these are solid prices. If you can wait, you have options.
Why mention that other retailers are running sales at the same time?
Because Amazon Prime Day isn't the only place to shop. Walmart and Best Buy might have different tablets on sale or better prices on the same models. The point is to shop around, not assume Amazon has the best deal just because it's their sale event.