AirPods Shipping Estimates Improve to 3 to 5 Business Days

Apple is closing in on its aim to achieve supply/demand balance for its AirPods, with the popular earphones now shipping from the online Apple Store in just three to five business days in the United States, Canada, U.K., Australia, and several other countries around the world.

According to Apple's U.S. website, AirPods ordered today will be delivered between October 4 and October 6, while U.K. customers ordering today are being quoted delivery dates between October 3 and October 5. These are the best estimates Apple has offered since the AirPods launched in December 2016.

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AirPods have been in extremely short supply since they became available for purchase, with a typical wait time of six weeks from order to delivery. Only in August did stock begin steadily improving, with shipping estimates dropping to four weeks and then two to three weeks. Earlier this month, estimates improved to one to two weeks, before hitting three to five business days today.

During Apple's third quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple had boosted AirPods production capacity and was "working very hard" to get AirPods to customers as quickly as possible.

Occasionally, Apple retail stores have received stock and third-party retailers like Best Buy have been able to offer AirPods with faster shipping on a regular basis, but those stocks have usually run out fast.

Costing $159, Apple's "truly wireless" AirPods have gained popularity due to their long battery life, capacious charge case, infrared sensors that detect when they're being worn, touch-based gestures, and a built-in W1 chip that improves Bluetooth connection. AirPods are also relatively inexpensive compared to rival "truly wireless" earbuds that have launched in recent months.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
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Top Rated Comments

Brookzy Avatar
100 months ago
MacRumors, this time next year: "iPhone X Shipping Estimates Improve to 3 to 5 Business Days..." :p
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
votdfak Avatar
100 months ago
Got em, love em.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pezboy Avatar
100 months ago
Yes, but when will they begin to ship with the wireless charging case? That’s why we actually care about.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
solaris Avatar
100 months ago
Way too late! I'll rather wait for AirPods 2, with wireless charging of course...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Abazigal Avatar
100 months ago
Why care about the wireless charging case if the AirPower mat isn't even coming until 2018?
Because people intend to hold on to the Airpods for more than a year, and every bit of futureproofing helps?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
manu chao Avatar
100 months ago
Why care about the wireless charging case if the AirPower mat isn't even coming until 2018?
Because you can use any existing Xi charging mat already (even if you might need more than one mat if you also want to charge your iPhone 8 or later at the same time).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)