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 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

intofx Avatar
119 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
119 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)
44267547 Avatar
119 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
119 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)
TigerWoodsIV Avatar
119 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
119 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)