While geeks around the world have their eyes on the luxurious Vision Pro, Apple’s luxurious “revolutionary space computer”, the Lidl online store is selling off tablets, smartphones and Apple computers.
Gone are the days when Apple refused to sell its products in supermarkets. At that rather distant time, there was no question of slipping a Mac into the bottom of the cart between fruit and yogurt: you had to go to specialized stores – handpicked – to be able to buy a device stamped with the prestigious apple. Fortunately, times have changed and, in addition to the brand’s official website, we find Apple products (computers, smartphones, tablets, headphones, etc.) both at multi-specialists like Fnac-Darty and Boulanger and on Amazon, Rakuten and Cdiscount or in supermarkets like E.Leclerc or Auchan. And at prices that are sometimes more attractive than on the Apple Store, when these merchants offer promotions during special operations.
But a new symbolic limit has just been crossed: at the moment, Lidl is offering Apple products at knockdown prices: Yes, you read correctly, the German brand is selling off Apple devices! Of course, these are not the latest MacBook Pros with an M3 chip or the iPhone 15. The operation – which will not last – only concerns entry-level tablets and computers. In this case, the iPad Air 4e generation, the iPad mini 6e generation, the MacBook Air with M2 chip and iPhone 12, 13 and 14. But although relatively old, and therefore less powerful than more recent models, these iPads are sold at very attractive prices, with reductions of up to 26% compared to their launch price. It costs 579 euros for the 10.9-inch iPad Air in the Wi-Fi version with 64 GB of storage.
Ditto for the 13-inch MacBook Air M2, offered at 1079 euros in the 8-256 GB version instead of 1499 euros – a crossed out price which does not correspond to current reality since it is often found around 1200 euros. The iPhone 12, 13 and 14 on offer benefit from quite nice reductions of up to 37% according to Lidl. Nothing exceptional either if we consider that we find this kind of promotions on old products during the countless commercial operations which punctuate the years. But no matter, the main thing is elsewhere. And it is especially the fact of seeing this type of product sold by the German brand known for its low prices that is surprising.
Be careful not to get carried away, however. First, these iPads and MacBooks are only sold online, on the Lidl website, like many non-food products now available throughout the year. So no need to rush to your local supermarket. Then, and above all, they are only available on the german store, which, in principle, does not deliver to France. It is therefore difficult to take advantage of these promotions unless you have friends or family residing in Germany. Not to mention that stock being limited, the products risk disappearing quite quickly.
Whatever the case, the symbol is strong and perhaps a harbinger of new times. Who knows: perhaps we will soon see some kind of operation also available in France, with, why not, iPads, MacBooks or even iPhones on the French site as well as in the brand’s supermarkets…