Apple: AirTag 2 should offer better range and protection against harassment 121 comments
Image: Apple
The AirTag is Apple’s small mobile tracker for 2021 that can be found on a global network armed with a button battery. This means that keys, wallets, bags and other items can be located at any time. A new version with improved features is now on the horizon for mid-2025.
AirTag 2 is coming
Bloomberg reports this, renewing existing rumors about the next generation of mobile assistants. In May this year, the AirTag 2, developed under the code name B589, was presented several times and various sources confirm this development. As usual, Apple itself has not yet commented.
With improved tracking: 2nd generation AirTags likely coming next year
Development completed
What is new is the choice in the middle of next year. Development of the AirTag 2 is probably progressing well. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, initial manufacturing tests are already underway.
Not a new design, but a new chip
The next generation of AirTags will not bring a completely new design, but it will remain “similar” to the first generation and therefore probably white and round. But there are some technical improvements: The new trackers should have greater range, which is likely made possible by the U2 chip that Apple uses for ultra-wideband tracking.
AirTag (Image: Apple)
The downside: To locate a U2 chip at a greater distance, the user must have an iPhone equipped with a U2 chip. Apple only installs this second generation from the iPhone 15 (Pro), Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 and therefore from devices from the end of 2023. The user base is therefore still quite small. However, U2 chips can also be located by U1 chips – only with the old range.
More measures against harassment attempts
However, we expect even bigger changes inside: the speaker will be harder to remove, making it harder to use the AirTag as a tracking device. Since iOS 17.5, Apple’s network also communicates with Google‘s network to locate “bad” AirTags, whether the person being harassed has an iPhone or an Android smartphone.
PlusiOS 17.5 and watchOS 10.5: update brings extended protection against harassment
Release for iPhone or with iOS 19?
As it stands, a release could happen either at WWDC 2025 in June, where iOS 19 is expected, or at the iPhone 17 launch in September. The HomePod with screen is also expected there and in the first half the new iPad Air, MacBook Air and the Mac Studio with M4 Ultra.
Themes: Apple Smart Home
Lucas explores smart gadgets and connected ecosystems to optimise home comfort and security.
