Apple delays AirPod rollout because it needs more time before the product is ready

Just when Apple thought the horror launch of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was behind it, the tech giant has suffered yet another crippling setback.

During the September launch, Apple provided an answer to the removal of the headphone jack in the form of its AirPod wireless earbuds.

Apple said the product would be available for $A229 from late October, but this no longer appears to be the case.

Earlier this week, Apple told TechCrunch it needed "a little more time" to get the product ready for release.

"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," a spokesman said.

Apple would not give further details about the delay, so it's unclear whether hardware or software updates are to blame.

The tech company's launch has been plagued with delays since the products were announced in September.

The first came when diehard Aussie fans waited outside the Apple's flagship for three days to secure a jet black iPhone 7 Plus.

After waiting for more than 72 hours, the teenagers were advised there would be no iPhone 7 Plus or jet black iPhone 7 units available in stores because they were already sold out.

The tech company's launch has been plagued with delays since the products were announced in September.

Apple said it needs 'a little more time' to get the AirPods ready for release. Photo / AP

The first came when diehard Aussie fans waited outside the Apple's flagship for three days to secure a jet black iPhone 7 Plus.

After waiting for more than 72 hours, the teenagers were advised there would be no iPhone 7 Plus or jet black iPhone 7 units available in stores because they were already sold out.

In fact, the jet black model of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus became increasingly rare, people ordering the phone are still waiting until its expected in November.

According to research note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the global shortage is due to the new high-gloss finish being too challenging for the Apple's manufacturers.

"[The jet black iPhone 7] suffers from a low casing production yield rate of 60-70 per cent," the research note read, reports MacRumours.

In other words, up to 40 per cent of jet black iPhone 7s being manufactured are not up to the quality standards Apple requires to sell the product to its customers.