Aura’s latest, gift-worthy digital photo frame is $30 off for Black Friday | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Aura’s latest, gift-worthy digital photo frame is $30 off for Black FridayComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...GadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechVerge ShoppingCloseVerge ShoppingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Verge ShoppingAura’s latest, gift-worthy digital photo frame is $30 off for Black FridayThe Aura Apsen lets you and your loved ones instantly upload photos from anywhere.The Aura Apsen lets you and your loved ones instantly upload photos from anywhere.by Sheena VasaniCloseSheena VasaniCommerce WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Sheena VasaniNov 29, 2025, 3:30 AM UTCLinkShareIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.The Aura Aspen makes it easy to upload and share photos of loved ones — including your pets —from just about anywhere.Part OfThe Verge’s guide to Black Friday 2025see all Sheena VasaniCloseSheena VasaniPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Sheena Vasani writes about tech news, reviews gadgets, and helps readers save money by highlighting deals and product recommendations for The Verge.Since its release earlier this year, we’ve constantly found ourselves wanting to add the Aura Aspen to just about every gift guide we’ve put together (and for good reason). If you’re looking to gift a gadget that actually feels personal, Aura’s go-to digital picture frame is a great choice. And right now, the 12-inch frame is matching its all-time low of around $199 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Aura’s online storefront for Black Friday.Aura Aspen$199$22913% off$199$199 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy$199 at AuraWhat sets the Aspen apart is how well it mimics a regular photo frame. Its paper-textured, anti-glare matte display, thin 0.5-inch bezel, and adjustable metal stand give it a traditional feel. The 1600 x 1200 HD LCD display, meanwhile, makes photos appear sharp and surprisingly lifelike, while the Aspen’s 4:3 aspect ratio means most smartphone shots fit naturally. There’s even a built-in ambient light sensor that adapts to your surroundings, dimming the screen — or turning it off entirely — when the room gets dark.RelatedThe Verge’s 2025 holiday gift guideThe best deals on my favorite smart home gear this Black FridayThe best Black Friday deals you can still shopAt its core, however, the tabletop digital frame is still a slick piece of tech, allowing you and your loved ones to upload photos from anywhere via email, the Aura Frames app for Android and iOS, or automatically using iCloud Photos or Google Photos (you can even add text captions). You can even use Live Photos from your iPhone for a Harry Potter–style effect, or display 30-second videos with sound for an even more personal touch.Read our Aura Aspen impressions.Verge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Sheena VasaniCloseSheena VasaniCommerce WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Sheena VasaniBlack FridayCloseBlack FridayPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Black FridayDealsCloseDealsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DealsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechVerge ShoppingCloseVerge ShoppingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Verge ShoppingMore In The Verge’s guide to Black Friday 2025See allPhilips Hue’s Festavia string lights are nearly $60 off (and still available) for Black FridaySheena Vasani27 minutes agoThe 192 best Black Friday deals you can still shop — a ton of tech is over half offBrandt Ranj40 minutes agoThe M4 MacBook Air is one of the best Apple deals you can get for Black FridaySheena VasaniTwo hours agoMost PopularMost PopularThe 182 best Black Friday deals you can still shop — a ton of tech is over half offYou can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES-inspired Nike sneakersWyze’s new security camera watches your yard from inside your homeThe VPN panic is only getting startedThe Super Mario Galaxy bundle for the Switch is 20 percent off today onlyVerge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Aura’s latest digital photo frame, the Aspen, is being promoted as a gift-worthy device, particularly during the Black Friday sales period. The frame is currently offered at a $30 discount, bringing the price down to approximately $199, available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Aura’s online storefront. This represents a 13% reduction from its original price of $229. The core appeal of the Aspen lies in its ability to mimic a traditional photo frame, achieved through design elements such as a paper-textured, anti-glare matte display, a thin 0.5-inch bezel, and an adjustable metal stand. The 1600 x 1200 HD LCD display intends to present photos with a sharp and lifelike appearance, and its 4:3 aspect ratio is specifically designed to accommodate most smartphone photographs naturally. A key feature is the ambient light sensor, which dynamically adjusts the screen brightness or entirely turns it off when the surrounding room is dark.

The Aspen’s functionality extends beyond a simple display. It allows for easy photo uploads from virtually anywhere via email, the Aura Frames app for Android and iOS, or through automated synchronization with iCloud Photos or Google Photos. Users have the option to display Live Photos from their iPhones, creating an effect reminiscent of the Harry Potter films. Furthermore, the frame supports the playback of 30-second videos with audio, adding a richer level of personalization. The device’s design focuses on a user-friendly experience, allowing recipients to quickly integrate photos and videos into their home décor. The Aura team, led by authors, has evidently considered the aesthetic integration of the device and its operational ease. The emphasis on replicating a familiar photographic experience is central to the Aspen’s marketing strategy, catering to those seeking a presentable and accessible way to share cherished memories.