The week’s best Apple deals: free classes, free headphones and more

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Update your fancy wrist computer to the latest watchOS.
Update your fancy wrist computer to the latest watchOS.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
With WWDC 2016 just days away, you’d be right to hesitate at buying new Apple gadgets this week. But with experts expecting more new software than hardware, rest assured that these great deals and freebies will still look good next week. Read on for free headphones, free classes at the Apple Store, and more in this week’s best Apple deals.

Apple Stainless Steel Watches at Best Buy: $100 to $200 off

Apple is likely to unveil a new watchOS next week, so you’ll want a sleek new Apple Watch to take advantage of all the latest features. And Best Buy currently takes $100 to $200 off select Apple Watch Stainless Steel Smartwatches. Plus, each qualifies for free shipping. That’s tied as the best prices we’ve seen for most of these models since the holiday shopping season.

A couple of best bets include the Apple Watch 38mm Stainless Steel Smartwatch with Black Sportband for $349 (low by $41); and the Apple Watch 38mm Stainless Steel Smartwatch with Black Classic or Saddle Brown Buckle Band for $449 ($200 off).

Beats Wireless Headphones for free with Mac or iOS device

Apple offers a pair of Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones for free when you buy a select MacBook, Mac Pro or Mac Mini. Or, get a pair of Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones for free when you buy a select iPhone or iPad. (You’ll be prompted to pick your color of headphones during checkout.) Even better, college students enrolled in Apple’s discount program will receive additional education discounts when purchasing a Mac or iPad. Plus, all orders bag free shipping. That’s a savings of at least $100 per order.

Apple iPhone for T-Mobile: Buy 1, get SE for free

For a T-Mobile customer who meets certain specific criteria, this Editors’ Choice deal is one of the best phone BOGOs we’ve ever seen; although we admit it has more than the usual number of hoops to be jumped through. But here’s the deal: Buy one Apple iPhone Smartphone for T-Mobile via Equipment Installment Plan and get an Apple iPhone SE 16GB Smartphone for free via this mail-in rebate and coupon code “JUNE16IPHONEBOGO”, via the directions listed below. (You’ll have to pay all applicable taxes and fees on both phones.) That’s a savings of $400 and the first offer we’ve seen.

To get this deal: Purchase any iPhone on a 24-month finance agreement and get an iPhone SE free. Then, go here within 30 days of purchase and use “JUNE16IPHONEBOGO” to request your rebate card. You’ll receive your rebate card as a prepaid MasterCard within eight weeks for the iPhone SE. Note: At least one of the new phones must be on a new line, and the new line must stay active for at least three months (or else the full retail price of the phone will be charged to your account).

Apple Camp for Kids

Want your kids to enjoy Apple, but don’t want to spend a fortune? How about something completely free? Once again, Apple Store retail locations will be hosting Apple Camp for free for kids ages 8 to 12. (Although registration is not yet open, you can sign up to be notified when it is; last year, registration opened in late June.) Like last summer’s program, it spans three days on various dates (1.5 hours per day) and teaches campers how to shoot footage, create an original song in GarageBand on an iPad, and put it together in iMovie on a Mac. The camp ends with the children presenting their finished iMovie at the Apple Camp Showcase.

Alternatively, students K-12 and teachers can sign up for a field trip to an Apple Store for free. Field trip themes and topics include discovery and experimentation, interactive storytelling, digital marketing, and content for the classroom. Additionally, Apple Store also offers one-hour workshops for all customers for free. These workshops explore everything you can do on a Mac, iPad, iPhone or iPod.

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