AirPods Now Estimated to Ship in 6 Weeks

Apple has updated its website to indicate AirPods are now estimated to ship in 6 weeks in the United States and many other countries around the world. The wireless earphones have been available for purchase on Apple's website since yesterday, with initial orders set to be delivered as early as December 19.

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Apple said AirPods will be shipping in limited quantities at launch, so it is unsurprising that shipping estimates have quickly slipped from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to 6 weeks around the world. The delay means customers who have yet to place an order will likely not receive their AirPods until 2017.

However, those who missed out still have a chance, as Apple said AirPods will be available for purchase at Apple Stores, authorized resellers, and select carriers next week. Apple noted stores will receive "regular AirPods shipments," and customers would be wise to call their local store ahead of time to confirm stock.

AirPods are Apple's all-new $159 wireless earphones. The cord-free earphones instantly turn on and connect to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac when taken out of their charging case. Likewise, audio automatically plays as soon as you put them in your ears and pauses when you take them out.


AirPods, driven by Apple's custom W1 chip for one-tap setup, deliver up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge, and a 15-minute fast charge provides up to 3 hours of listening time. The accompanying charging case holds multiple additional charges for more than 24 hours of listening time.

AirPods use optical sensors and a motion accelerometer to detect when they are in your ears. Doubling tapping an earpiece invokes Siri, which can be used to adjust the volume, change the song, make a call, or get directions. An accelerometer works with beamforming microphones to filter out background noise.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
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Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Blizzardman Avatar
110 months ago
Blah blah only Apple sheep are buying them. Blah blah Apple has lost their innovation. Can't wait for the negative posts to start flooding in. Clearly there is a demand for new Apple products that is angering a very small vocal amount of people.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keniutek Avatar
110 months ago
Go beta testers go...
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
110 months ago
Evidently, there are lots of people who aren't concerned about the short battery life or the possibility of losing them. Apple seems to have another successful product launch on its hands, once again defying early criticisms.

There's an interesting review here, where the user tries to dislodge the AirPods:

Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
c3pa Avatar
110 months ago
Ship in 6 weeks?

How come, their first ship was actually the Titanic.


Just look at her deck.


Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacTM83 Avatar
110 months ago
Just love the people concerned about losing them. Take care of your sh*t. Same people in the Apple stores complaining that they didn't break their screen and want everything for free. Take responsibility. And for the people complaining about them. Don't buy them simple.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Precursor Avatar
110 months ago
Why not have iPhone 8 to order online while we're at it, "to be delivered in 50-56 weeks"
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)