Analyst Dan Ives at Wedbush estimates Apple will sell around 3 million pairs of their AirPods and AirPods Pro wireless earbuds during the Black Friday – Cyber Monday weekend shopping binge. Ives comes up with his figure by checking supply channels and from observing inventory shortages at retailers.
Wedbush says it is seeing a huge demand for AirPods and AirPods Pro heading into the holiday period. Apple sells $159 second-generation AirPods with a standard charging case, a $199 model with a Qi wireless charging case, and their $249 AirPods Pro, which launched at the end of October and features noise cancellation, smaller stems, a new force sensor, and an in-ear design.
While there have been some deals to be had for AirPods during merchants’ Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, the demand seems to be fueled simply by the AirPods themselves. They have been a popular gift option the last few holiday shopping seasons.
A report last week said Apple has told its AirPods Pro manufacturing partner to double its production due to the high demand. Ives says the ramp up is to help minimize supply constraints and he expects Apple to fill nearly all AirPods orders. (The Apple Store is currently showing a 4-week delay in shipping times for AirPods Pro, with January 2 being the fastest delivery option, so good luck getting a pair by Christmas.)
Wedbush expects Apple will have sold over 60 million AirPods in all of 2019, and could sell as many as 85-90 million in all of 2020.
(Via 9to5Mac)