AirTag 2: Everything We Know About Apple's Next-Gen Tracker Coming in 2025

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AirTag 2: Everything We Know About Apple's Next-Gen Tracker Coming in 2025

Apple's compact item tracker has become a go-to solution for keeping tabs on everything from keys to luggage since its 2021 debut. Now, with the AirTag 2 on the horizon, Apple appears poised to address key limitations while adding new capabilities. Based on recent leaks and industry reports, here's our comprehensive breakdown of what to expect from the second-generation AirTag.

Release Timeline: Mark Your Calendars for Mid-2025

According to reliable sources, the AirTag 2 is set to launch in mid-2025. Most specifically, leaker Kosutami recently suggested a May or June 2025 release window, which aligns with earlier reporting from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman who indicated a "middle of next year" timeline 1.

This timing makes sense from a product lifecycle perspective, as the original AirTag will be just over four years old by then—ripe for a refresh with updated technology.

Three Key Improvements Coming to AirTag 2

1. Triple the Tracking Range on UWB

Perhaps the most significant upgrade will be the inclusion of a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip—the same one found in the iPhone 15 lineup. According to multiple reports, this will provide approximately three times the tracking range of the current model.

"The new AirTags will come with a new ultra-wideband chip that's on par with the one found in the iPhone 15," reports TechRadar, noting the range could increase from the current 10-30 meters to potentially 90 meters or more 2.

This expanded range would be particularly valuable in larger spaces like airports or parking garages where current AirTags sometimes struggle to connect when you're further away.

This would not affect the range of the AirTag when using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) which is currently 100 meters, so AirPinpoint usage is expected to be the same.

2. Enhanced Privacy and Anti-Stalking Features

Privacy improvements appear to be a major focus for the AirTag 2, addressing concerns about unwanted tracking that have dogged the first-generation device. According to Digital Trends, "Apple is making it harder to tamper with the speakers in the new AirTag," a direct response to how some bad actors have disabled the speakers to prevent detection 3.

The harder-to-remove speaker will ensure the AirTag continues to emit sounds when separated from its owner, making unauthorized tracking more difficult to conceal. This builds upon Apple's existing anti-stalking measures, which have been updated several times since the original launch.

3. Vision Pro Integration

Perhaps the most intriguing potential feature is integration with Apple Vision Pro. While details remain sparse, industry analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo have suggested that the AirTag 2 will feature specific compatibility with Apple's spatial computing headset 4.

This integration could enable new use cases, such as:

  • Visual indicators in your Vision Pro view when approaching a tagged item
  • Spatial awareness of your belongings within mixed reality environments
  • Enhanced item finding experiences using the Vision Pro's advanced sensors

Design: Evolutionary Rather Than Revolutionary

Don't expect radical design changes with the AirTag 2. According to MacRumors, the new model will retain a similar form factor to the original 5, maintaining compatibility with existing accessories and attachments.

The battery compartment will still accommodate the user-replaceable CR2032 battery, though some reports suggest minor modifications to the battery access mechanism, potentially to address safety concerns for children.

What This Means for Users

The AirTag 2 appears to address the most significant limitations of the first-generation device while opening new possibilities through Vision Pro integration. The tripled range alone could transform how useful these trackers are in daily life, especially for travel and outdoor activities.

For privacy-conscious users, the improved anti-tampering measures should provide greater peace of mind, both when using AirTags themselves and when concerned about being tracked by others.

What This Means for Business Users

For businesses leveraging AirTags for asset tracking, inventory management, or logistics, the AirTag 2 offers incremental but meaningful improvements. The extended tracking range could significantly enhance the reliability of locating assets in larger facilities, warehouses, or outdoor environments. Enhanced privacy and anti-tampering measures will also provide businesses with greater confidence in deploying AirTags at scale, reducing liability concerns related to unauthorized tracking.

However, it's important to set realistic expectations. The AirTag 2 isn't expected to represent a dramatic leap forward in terms of raw performance or battery life. Industry insiders suggest battery life will remain similar to the original AirTag, likely around two years with the standard CR2032 battery. For businesses like AirPinpoint, this means the AirTag 2 will be a welcome refinement rather than a revolutionary upgrade, maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure and workflows.

Speculation: What Else Could AirTag 2 Bring?

While the confirmed improvements are promising, Apple often surprises users with additional features. Here are some speculative enhancements we might see:

  • Improved Durability and Water Resistance: Given the popularity of AirTags in outdoor and industrial settings, Apple might enhance durability, making AirTag 2 more resistant to harsh environments.
  • Longer Battery Life: Apple might include a larger battery or a more efficient chipset to extend the battery life of AirTag 2.

While these features remain speculative, they align with Apple's broader strategy of enhancing usability and security across its product lines.

AirPinpoint's Perspective

At AirPinpoint, we're closely monitoring developments around AirTag 2. While the incremental improvements in range and privacy are beneficial, we don't anticipate significant changes to our existing tracking solutions or workflows. The expected two-year battery life aligns closely with current AirTag performance, ensuring continuity and ease of maintenance for our customers. We expect the AirTag 2 to be a welcome refinement rather than a revolutionary upgrade. We're expected it to be best in class battery life for the size (31mm x 31mm) and we're excited to see the range improvements. We'll continue to evaluate AirTag 2 as more details emerge, ensuring our platform remains optimized to leverage the latest Apple tracking technologies effectively. Stay tuned for further updates and insights as we approach the official launch.

Looking Forward

While we await official confirmation from Apple, the consensus among reliable sources points to a significantly improved tracking experience with the AirTag 2. The mid-2025 release window gives Apple time to refine the technology further and potentially introduce additional features not yet leaked.

We'll continue to update this article as new information becomes available, so check back regularly for the latest on Apple's next-generation item tracker.


References

Footnotes

  1. Bloomberg: Apple is working on a new AirTag for release around the middle of next year

  2. TechRadar: AirTag 2 upgrade could bring significant improvements to Apple's trackers

  3. Digital Trends: Apple AirTag 2 report: privacy, range, speaker design upgrades

  4. PhoneArena: Rumors suggest AirTag 2 with Apple Vision Pro integration by 2025

  5. MacRumors: AirTags 2: Everything We Know So Far