AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

[gdmedia]

Apple plans to release a second-generation AirTag next year with "considerably" longer range for item tracking, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new AirTag will use Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, or equivalent technology. The chip debuted last year in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple said it offers up to three times the range as its first-generation Ultra Wideband chip in the current AirTag. Indeed, Gurman said the new AirTag should offer triple the range as the current model.

On the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, there is a Precision Finding feature that can help you to find your friends in busy places, and it offers up to approximately 60 meters (around 200 feet) range. The new AirTag could offer similar range.

Last month, Gurman said the new AirTag will be released around mid-2025. In addition to longer range, he said the new AirTag's built-in speaker will be more difficult to remove, as a stalking-related safety measure. Overall, though, he does not expect the accessory to receive any major design changes when it is updated next year.

Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so there will have been around a four-year wait for the second-generation model.

Article Link: AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

I'd settle for making it considerably easier to get the damn battery out. The last one I had went dead but no matter how I tried, I could never get the cover off. Just had to toss the AirTag out and never bought another one.

 

[TheWraith]

Momax Pro Mini item trackers are superior to AirTags in every way

That's funny, I have never heard of this at all.

 

[msackey]

Can’t wait for the AirTag Pro with 6G connectivity!

As long as you are able to accept that the AirTag Pro will only last for 1 day....

LOL

 

[msackey]

I would like an AirTag Pro that charges via Apple Watch charger.

Or better yet, make it like the AirPods Pro so that it can be re-charged either with a regular MagSafe charger or Apple Watch charger.

The only thing is that, I think, rechargeable batteries do not last as long as non-rechargeable ones. For something like a tracker, you want to have LONG battery life.

 

[msackey]

I'd settle for making it considerably easier to get the damn battery out. The last one I had went dead but no matter how I tried, I could never get the cover off. Just had to toss the AirTag out and never bought another one.

It is quite difficult to get the battery out, particularly because the back is so smooth. Only if they could make it textured.

Perhaps next time you could sand down the back a bit to provide some grip? I've also used one of those rubbery jar opener things to get some friction.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Any physical changes to the outside

The new design will be in the shape of a pretzel to symbolize customer frustration over the years.

 

[victorvictoria]

If I can't disable the speaker, what good is it, other than finding lost baggage? If someone steals something with an AirTag in it, and he has an iPhone, he's going to find it and trash it.

 

[imola.zhp]

Hopefully the app will let you know when the battery is getting low. Nothing like needing to find something only to find out the battery is dead... 💀

 

[Rychiar]

Hopefully the app will let you know when the battery is getting low. Nothing like needing to find something only to find out the battery is dead... 💀

mine is constantly letting me know the battery is low... in fact its been letting me know it was low since a few weeks after I put the battery in... yet it still continues to function 6+ months later lol

 

[VampyricGentleman]

mine is constantly letting me know the battery is low... in fact its been letting me know it was low since a few weeks after I put the battery in... yet it still continues to function 6+ months later lol

I had that happen on 2 of mine, I found that repairing it solved the issue.

 

[McWetty]

I’d like to see a credit card shaped one with precision tracking built in. I know there are ones without it from third parties, which proves there is a market for such a thing.

And make it rechargeable.

 

[VampyricGentleman]

And make it rechargeable.

I think it would have to be to be credit card sized

 

[peccles]

I would think to get the most benefit from AirTag 2, you would need an iPhone with U2 chip. I would assume iPhones with U1 or no U chip (e.g iPhone se3) would still get some extra benefit if you upgrade to AirTag 2.

 

[Rychiar]

I had that happen on 2 of mine, I found that repairing it solved the issue.

repairing what?

 

[bigjnyc]

Momax Pro Mini item trackers are superior to AirTags in every way: flat, waterproof, lanyard hole, cheaper, louder, and rechargeable. Since I'm sure Apple doesn't want to change the form factor with the AirTag2, I'm sure they will remain behind.

Yeah but it doesn't have precision finding.

 

[bigjnyc]

I wish they were thinner. It gets bulky in the pocket, especially if you own a Ford with their obnoxiously huge key fob.

If you have a ford key fob in your pocket then an airtag is the least of your concerns lol.... You probably don't even feel the airtag.

 

[bigjnyc]

They need to steal some ideas from the Samsung Tag 2. I love how you can track your Pets daily walks with theirs or give it some additional features by tapping on it.

Also, for the love of god, make it easier to open and close. The amount of times I almost broke my nail and yes I know you are supposed to just slide it to open but that 💩 ain’t working after a while

If you're using your nail then you're doing it wrong lol 🤣 they open so easily by just applying a little pressure and sliding with your finger tips.

 

[MacFarmer]

I use one to find my house. Comes in handy late night.

do you live in a tent or a cardboard house? This would be useful on a windy day

 

[VampyricGentleman]

repairing what?

Sorry re-pairing the Bluetooth, stupid auto correct kicked in I guess

 

[contacos]

If you're using your nail then you're doing it wrong lol 🤣 they open so easily by just applying a little pressure and sliding with your finger tips.

That only worked for like half a year for me before they got all scratched up and nasty from the environment.

Nowadays I need to use a knife because they just don't slide. All 4 of them.

 

[pmhparis]

That only worked for like half a year for me before they got all scratched up and nasty from the environment.

Nowadays I need to use a knife because they just don't slide. All 4 of them.

I will admit to using Vicegrips in the beginning to open/close my airtags, but that was mostly to figure out that I was applying pressure poorly. Use the Vicegrips on the metal dome, not the plastic & very gradually adjust the vice-grips so you only apply sufficient pressure to hold the dome & not mark it's edges with the Vicegrip's serrations. Having the dome securely held allowed me to practice opening/closing them & learn how much pressure was needed & now I don't need the Vicegrips anymore.

If you've been using a knife to open Airtags, you have likely damaged them so it's not surprising that they don't slide anymore.

 

[Alwis]

It is quite difficult to get the battery out, particularly because the back is so smooth. Only if they could make it textured.

If I have no good grip when opening them I use latex gloves, no problem than.

 

[msackey]

If I have no good grip when opening them I use latex gloves, no problem than.

Oh that's a great suggestion! I had not thought of that before.

 

[coplt]

I use one to find my house. Comes in handy late night.

You laugh, but I’ve actually done something similar to find a rental on vacation!

The reservation was in someone else’s name, but my bag was in the room. I just navigated back to the bag after dinner rather than going through all the hassle of finding the address.