Apple, third-party retailers run out of Apple AirPods

A promo photo for the Apple AirPods.Apple

Apple AirPods are out of stock again for the Christmas season, just like in December 2016.

Apple ran out of stock for their premium earphones, the Apple AirPods, just before Christmas. Consumers may still be able to purchase the AirPods at the Apple App Store, but they will receive them by next year, on Friday, Jan. 5, at the earliest if they paid for express shipping. Unfortunately, for those who ordered with free shipping, their AirPods will arrive a few days later on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Fans hoping to buy the earphones elsewhere might still have to wait, as 9 To 5 Mac reports that third-party retailers for the Apple AirPods such as Best Buy, Verizon, and Sprint have also run out of Apple AirPods. Their online shops all list January as delivery dates for the premium earphones.

Supply issues for the AirPods began since the holiday season drew closer. Demands for the premium earphones have apparently sky-rocketed since there are always last-minute holiday shoppers. "We have increased production capacity for AirPods and are working very hard to get them to customers as quickly as we can, but we are still not able to meet the strong level of demand," said Apple Inc., Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook in August.

Apple iPhone X stocks, on the other hand, has been replenished. Except for the 64-gigabyte (GB) silver, SIM-free model, next- day delivery for the Apple flagship phone was made available for U.S. consumers, reports Mac Rumors. The 64 GB silver SIM-free version of the iPhone X will be delivered in 2-4 days.

Consumers who bought the iPhone X via the Apple App Store on Monday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. (local time in their respective states) have reportedly received their devices the following day. Next-day delivery of the iPhone X (all models) is also available in the UK. In other countries, delivery of the device may be the next day but will be done just before Christmas.