These are the features that will be available in Airtag 2

Apple launched AirTag in April 2021, and the device is now more than three and a half years old. During that time, AirTag has not received any hardware updates. However, there are rumors that Apple is working on a new version of this tracking accessory.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is aiming to release the second-generation AirTag in mid-2025. In the latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said:

'In May, I reported that Apple is developing a new AirTag model with the code name B589, which is expected to be released in the middle of next year. Currently, this accessory has entered the production test stage, and Apple is preparing to launch the product.'

Also in October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been delayed from Q4 2024 to sometime in 2025. However, he did not provide a specific reason for the delay, which means that both Kuo and Gurman agree that a new AirTag model will be released next year.

New Features

1. Upgraded positioning chip: Gurman emphasized that the next generation of AirTags will be equipped with an upgraded chip, improving positioning capabilities. Most likely, the device will use the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that appeared on the iPhone 15 models last year.
2. Built-in speaker is more secure: According to Gurman, the built-in speaker on the new AirTag will be harder to remove, to prevent the device from being used for unauthorized tracking purposes. This is an anti-stalking measure that Apple is focusing on.
3. Increased range: The new AirTag is expected to have a longer range, allowing Precision Finding to work effectively at greater distances than the current version.
4. Vision Pro Integration: Ming-Chi Kuo previously mentioned that the new AirTag will have some integration with Apple Vision Pro, but he did not reveal specific details. This opens up the potential for stronger connectivity within the Apple ecosystem.

Design

Gurman predicts that the design of the second-generation AirTag won't have many major changes, and will still retain a similar appearance to the current version.

The second-generation AirTag not only has a performance upgrade, but also brings notable improvements in security and location features. With possible integration with Vision Pro, this product promises to become an even more important part of the Apple ecosystem by 2025.

Marvin Fry

Update 09 December 2024