AirPods Launch in Stores Next Week as Online Delivery Estimates Quickly Lengthening - MacRumors
Skip to Content

AirPods Launch in Stores Next Week as Online Delivery Estimates Quickly Lengthening

Apple has announced AirPods will be available for purchase at Apple Stores, authorized resellers, and select carriers next week, providing customers who did not quickly pre-order with a chance to buy the wireless earphones before the end of the year. Apple said stores will receive "regular AirPods shipments."

airpods-duo
AirPods launched on Apple's website earlier today for $159. The all-new wireless earphones had an initial delivery estimate of around December 21 for many customers in the United States, but that date quickly slipped, and Apple is now quoting "4 weeks" for orders yet to be placed on its U.S. storefront.

AirPods are also estimated to ship in 4 weeks in Canada, where they are priced at $219. In Australia ($229) and the United Kingdom (£159), customers can still get earlier December 19 delivery as of the time this article was published. In Singapore, customers can get AirPods delivered by December 22 for $238.

In the Eurozone, AirPods cost €179. In Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, customers face a two-week wait for AirPods. Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Japan also have 2-week estimates. In Hong Kong, it is 4 weeks. AirPods are available in more than 100 countries overall.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

121 months ago
I can't even fathom why anyone would want these. Normal earbuds fall out of my ears with the slightest movement and these appear just as bad.
7 Billion people in the world and you can't wrap your head around why some would want these based only on your personal experience. You need to expand your mind.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
patseguin Avatar
121 months ago
I can't even fathom why anyone would want these. Normal earbuds fall out of my ears with the slightest movement and these appear just as bad.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
121 months ago
I can't even fathom why anyone would want these. Normal earbuds fall out of my ears with the slightest movement and these appear just as bad.
All anecdotal information you stated, based off your experience and these can't Be classified as "Bad" until you try them first. And yes, plenty of customers want these, hence they are booked out past Mid January.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blinkytoo Avatar
121 months ago

iHat
™®
If Apple made hats they would all be size 7-1/4, because that is the perfect size. It would not have a bill in front because Apple thought you didn't need it. If it didn't fit, you would buy it anyway because Apple knows what you want.

Attachment Image
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
121 months ago
I can't even fathom why anyone would want these. Normal earbuds fall out of my ears with the slightest movement and these appear just as bad.
To be fair, a lot of that is the cord. Also to be fair, I have no idea why anyone would want these even if they don't fall out super easily.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fall Under Cerulean Kites Avatar
121 months ago
I can't even fathom why anyone would want these. Normal earbuds fall out of my ears with the slightest movement and these appear just as bad.
It’s been theorized that the reason they fall out of your ears is the constant pressure from the cords. I’ve watched numerous videos and read many reviews. Not one has stated they fall out of your ears. Actually, quite the contrary.

But, YMMV
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)