AirPods Supplier Increasing Production Capacity Due to Strong Demand

[MacRumors]

AirPods manufacturer Inventec is planning to expand production capacity for the wireless headphones in the wake of high consumer demand during the holiday season. In a new report by China's Economic Daily News (via DigiTimes), the supplier is rumored to have begun expanding capacity in a few of its Shanghai plants.

The report noted that Inventec has recently started expanding capacity at its Shanghai plants in order to satisfy increasing demand for the earphones and the plants are currently working overtime to deliver orders.

After the AirPods went on sale on December 13, the headphones quickly slipped to shipping estimates from 4 weeks and then to 6 weeks. Thanks to positive initial impressions from the first group of customers, and increased fervor to purchase the AirPods for the holidays, many users began seeking ways to buy the headphones before Christmas, including third-party retailers like Best Buy and Target.

Estimated arrival dates have improved for many customers who were placed with lengthy month-long shipping estimates at first, and it appears that Inventec intends to continue to meet customer demand by "working overtime to deliver orders."

This week, Apple CEO Tim Cook called the AirPods "a runaway success," commenting on the fact that "we're making them just as fast as we can" so as many of its fans can get a pair of the headphones as soon as possible. Overall, Cook said that Apple has had "a great holiday."

Article Link: AirPods Supplier Increasing Production Capacity Due to Strong Demand

 

[DVNIEL]

Now please make a black version.

 

[beanbaguk]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

 

[Mascots]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

Don't be so cheap!

 

[A MacBook lover]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

What? People are still saying this?

 

[Traverse]

I must admit, I love mine and the convenience they bring. Yesterday I had to clean the house and it was so nice to be able to walk around, stretch, reach, etc. without a cord pulling at your ears are getting caught on something.

I feel bad for those with battery issues. Hopefully this is firmware related that Apple can update and won't necessitate a swap.

 

[triton100]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

It is a sensible price in the headphone economic landscape. You meant to say sell them for a price 'you' can afford

 

[earthTOmitchel]

I must admit, I love mine and the convenience they bring. Yesterday I had to clean the house and it was so nice to be able to walk around, stretch, reach, etc. without a cord pulling at your ears are getting caught on something.

I feel bad for those with battery issues. Hopefully this is firmware related that Apple can update and won't necessitate a swap.

Mine seem to have the worst of the battery case issues. Went to bed at 84%, woke up at 68%. The AirPods inside were at 100% the entire time.

 

[Kaibelf]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

What price would you deem "sensible" and exactly which competing products with the same features are you comparing it to in order to come to that price? "Give me things I want cheap" isn't an argument.

 

[smacrumon]

I'd love to get a clear picture of the sales figures.

 

[tangfish]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

If they have to increase production to keep up with demand then I'd say they're either already selling them at a sensible price, or they're priced too low.

 

[kemal]

This is finally some good news. Too bad there is the charge battery frain issue. We'll stay with glass half full.

 

[BvizioN]

I don't believe it. Must be Tim making it up all this runway success stuff

 

[gsmornot]

I said no, no thanks, no I don't think so then here I am thinking, I might like to have a set of these to replace my current headphones. Go figure.

 

[smacrumon]

I must admit, I love mine and the convenience they bring. Yesterday I had to clean the house and it was so nice to be able to walk around, stretch, reach, etc. without a cord pulling at your ears are getting caught on something.

I feel bad for those with battery issues. Hopefully this is firmware related that Apple can update and won't necessitate a swap.

I'd return and swap them regardless. Didn't buy a prototype at that price.

 

[Traverse]

Mine seem to have the worst of the battery case issues. Went to bed at 84%, woke up at 68%. The AirPods inside were at 100% the entire time.

My case only lost 2% over night and has recharged my AirPods multiple times from varies power levels ranging from 25% - 85% and has not needed charging yet.

I just got up and check them:
Case is at 50% after charging my AirPods from 25% and sitting idle all night. I haven't charged the case since Wednesday night before bed.

Consistency shouldn't vary this much. I hope it is not a manufacturing defect.
[doublepost=1483105593][/doublepost]

I'd return and swap them regardless. Didn't buy a prototype at that price.

It's a very nice prototype. I think I'll risk it.

 

[BvizioN]

The AirPods inside were at 100% the entire time.

Well, they will be because when they are inside they are being charged.
Hard to tell if the issue relates to the case or the AirPods itself....!!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

What BS. Likely just part of the normal ramp up. Airpods are great but Apple dripped too few pair into the market just days before Xmas. Of course people are still looking for these. Different story if Apple had dumped millions in early Dec on time and there was still huge demand on 12/30.

And sell them for a sensible price.....

As far as pricing goes the AirPods are one of the few h/w items in Apple's catalog that are in line with competitors AND they are a better product than the competition to boot. Show me a decent pair of 100% wireless buds under $150. Heck, even acceptable BT buds w/ a connecting cable start at $129 -- maybe on sale for $99 on occasion.

 

[pommie82]

i am really enjoying my Airpods best thing that apple bought out this year very convenient product none of the other apple line have made the line of convenient

 

[peterh988]

Wish I could wear in-ear speakers. I must have some sort of misshapen ears because the slightest movement, such as breathing, causes them to fall out.

It's over ear for me, I'm afraid.

 

[TonyC28]

If they have to increase production to keep up with demand then I'd say they're either already selling them at a sensible price, or they're priced too low.

Or they simply didn't make very many to begin with. Impossible to know without knowing exact numbers.

 

[slprescott]

Total revenue from AirPods could exceed that of Apple Watch:
- Price point is lower (which hurts total rev)
- ... but I think the attach-rate will be much higher

 

[jclardy]

I'll be honest here, the AirPods are truly the most "Apple" product released in the past 3 years. Charging is dead simple, taking them with you is easy and using them is as quick as putting them in your ear. Still missing features (volume control being the biggest one), but look at iPhone, iPad and iPod - all missing competitors features (At least in gen 1), but doing what they need to do very well.

No, they aren't the best sound quality wise in-ear, fully wireless bud, but they are definitely the most convenient. I have a pair of Jaybird X3's that haven't been used once since my AirPods came in, they are going to be heading to eBay soon. For me if I am wanting to experience music fully I don't use in ear buds, I'll use my cans or stereo system for that. Buds are for taking with you everywhere and are much more utilitarian in use for me (voice calls, podcasts, youtube, etc.)

 

[muadibe]

And sell them for a sensible price.....

Does it sound like they have problems selling at the current price?

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

It is a sensible price in the headphone economic landscape. You meant to say sell them for a price 'you' can afford

Nah, someone needs to pay for their fancy campus they are building. And it sure isn't going to be Apple! lol