AirPods

AirPods begin arriving to customers & hitting retail stores around the world [Gallery]

Chance Miller | Dec 18 2016 - 3:37 pm PT

It’s currently Monday morning in Australia and New Zealand, and that means Apple’s completely wireless AirPods are now arriving to customers and retail stores. AirPods first went on-sale via Apple’s online store last week, but shipping times began to slip quickly. Those who got their order in early enough, however, are now receiving their shipment…

According to a variety of posts on Twitter and Instagram, early buyers in Australia and New Zealand have started receiving their AirPods. December 19th was the earliest arrival date for the product and it was primarily allocated to international customers, such as those in Australia and Zealand.

Additionally, customers who missed the brief online availability of AirPods have reported being able to walk into Apple Stores in Australia and New Zealand and purchase a pair. Apple stated last week that stores would start receiving “regular shipments” of AirPods beginning this week, and now we know that the Monday date that was rumored is legitimate.

One user on Twitter reported that there were about 15 people waiting outside of an Apple Store in Brisbane. Notably, Apple apparently wasn’t prepared for a line and thus didn’t setup its normal line dividers like it does for iPhone launches.

Another user reported that an Apple Store in Sydney had about 50 pairs of AirPods on shelves at opening, with more pairs in the back and about 6 demo pairs. “Demand was high, people ran inside,” he wrote.

Early users in Australia and New Zealand are praising the pairing process between AirPods and their iPhone, while others report that sound quality is better than they expected.

Personally, I plan to get to my local Apple Store ahead of its opening tomorrow and wait for AirPods. I unfortunately missed my chance to order online with a decent arrival date, but hopefully my luck improves tomorrow…

Have you gotten your hands on AirPods yet? From a retail store? Let us know down in the comments.

And here they are. About 50 pairs on shelves, more in the back and 6 demo pairs. Demand was high, people ran in store. Me included. pic.twitter.com/qg2c1gAqfX

— Midnight Swami (@nic_morris) December 18, 2016

no one is forming a line. Which annoys me. About 15 people

— Jeff Hawthorne (@Juiceboy_Jeff) December 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/hcotunes/status/810620096637009920

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOLR8JigOkY/?taken-by=imadonisxavier

https://twitter.com/MikeRogers0/status/810619916072140801

#AirPods took no time at all to setup and great audio quality #apple pic.twitter.com/ngutZf6MDB

— Richard Pascoe (@Adelaidetechguy) December 18, 2016