No Apple AirPods In 2016? Device To Go In Production In December, Barclays Analysts Say

The Apple AirPods have been delayed, yet again. According to analysts, the wireless earphones might not see a 2016 release. Despite being showcased at the iPhone 7 launch in September, the earphones are yet to hit the store shelves.

Apple's official statement to TechCrunch in October stated: “The early response to AirPods has been incredible. We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers.”

According to 9to5Mac, Apple's Chinese supply chain had stated that the device won't be available before mid-2017 due to high demand.

Now, Barclays analysts have released a research note to Mac Rumors, which said the device will go into production only by December 2016, making availability this year highly unlikely. The research note adds that Apple will have a limited initial production for AirPods, with just 10 to 15 million devices being shipped at first.

In fact, Apple has not included AirPods in its official 2016 Holiday Shopping Guide, hinting that the device won't be available for the holiday season. The device has been listed as "currently unavailable" with no confirmation of availability on Apple's website.

Currently, all indications point toward a 2017 availability of the device.