Black Friday has passed, but the year doesn’t end with that single rush of deals. If you missed out on November’s discounts, or are already planning your next upgrade, knowing the key sales periods can save you hundreds. Here’s a breakdown of when to expect the best prices on items like telescopes, cameras, and drones.
Boxing Day: The Next Big Opportunity
The immediate follow-up to Black Friday is Boxing Day, falling on December 26th. While Black Friday offers broad discounts across many categories, Boxing Day sales are often focused on clearing out older inventory to make room for new products. This doesn’t mean worse deals, though. Retailers still want to move items, and durable goods like telescopes don’t become obsolete like smartphones do. Expect sales to extend into the first week of January.
Unlike fast-moving tech, products like telescopes and drones hold their value, making Boxing Day a solid time to snag discounts without compromising functionality.
January Clearance: The Aftermath of New Releases
January isn’t just for post-holiday leftovers. Retailers frequently discount superseded models when new versions launch. The release of the DJI Mini 3, for example, triggered price drops on the Mini 2. Similarly, the Sony A7R V has pushed discounts on the A7R IV, and rumors of a 2026 A7R VI release suggest the V may see further reductions. Staying vigilant is key—checking regularly can reveal unadvertised deals.
Prime Day and Amazon’s Sales Cycle
Amazon’s Prime Day (typically in July) is another major event, although it doesn’t match Black Friday’s scale. In 2025, it ran from July 8-11. The interesting trend? Other retailers often match or undercut Amazon’s prices, blurring the lines of exclusivity. Back-to-school sales around the same period also create opportunities.
Amazon also runs Prime Big Deal Days (October 7-8 in 2025), offering decent discounts, though still less aggressive than Black Friday, Boxing Day, or Prime Day itself.
The Bigger Picture
These sales aren’t random. They’re tied to retail cycles: the need to clear inventory after holidays, the launch of new product lines, and competition between major retailers. While Black Friday sets the tone, the calendar doesn’t stop there. Knowing when retailers want to move products allows you to time purchases strategically.
In conclusion, if you missed Black Friday, don’t despair. Boxing Day and January clearances are strong contenders. And with Amazon’s sales cycle in play, regular monitoring can unlock significant savings throughout the year.
