Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, and while it has been more than three and a half years since its launch, the item tracker has not received any hardware updates. But according to new reports, the company is currently working on a second-generation AirTag, which could arrive as early as mid-2025.
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AirTag 2: Latest Rumors on Features, Launch Timing, and No Rechargeable Battery
As per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a fresh new AirTag tentatively called B589 that will be released circa mid-2025. According to Gurman’s report in his Power On newsletter, the new accessory has passed manufacturing tests, indicating its release is likely soon. Also in October 2023, reliable Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been pushed back from late 2024 to 2025, although reasons for the delay weren’t provided. Despite this shift, both Gurman and Kuo agree that Apple’s second-generation AirTag will arrive sometime in 2025.
What’s new with the new AirTag would’ve had some big improvements. The most significant update will probably come in the form of a new chip, likely also featuring the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that first made its debut with iPhone 15 models. This chip could improve the AirTag’s precision location-tracking functions. Also, the integrated Speaker here is reused and adjusted to make unmounting harder acting as an anti-stalking mechanism. Gurman believes that the design of the new AirTag will look the same as the old one, but expects an enhanced range for the new version of the device. This improved range may also enhance the Precision Finding feature, which makes it possible for users to find their items from a greater distance away.
More speculative details indicate the second-generation AirTag could have some kind of integration with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. However, Kuo did not explain precisely how this integration would be done. Finally, Gurman also confirmed in a November 2024 update that the new AirTag would feature a coin cell battery as before rather than a rechargeable battery, which was not a huge surprise but provides some clarity on the power situation for the new device.
FAQs
When will the new AirTag be released?
The second-generation AirTag is expected to launch in mid-2025.
Will the AirTag 2 have a rechargeable battery?
No, the new AirTag will still use a coin cell battery, not a rechargeable one.
