AirTag 2: Closer Than Ever—What Dedicated Apple Followers Should Watch For
Apple’s next major accessory upgrade appears imminent. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a refreshed second-generation AirTag is “nearly ready” after months of preparation. This development signals a significant update in Apple’s personal item tracking strategy, with a launch tentatively aimed for mid-2025. While the expected timing coincides with the lead-up to Apple’s annual developer conference, Gurman has suggested the device is unlikely to share the WWDC spotlight, implying a separate announcement is more likely (Bloomberg, Power On newsletter).
Significance for Apple Enthusiasts
Apple’s AirTag, launched in April 2021, quickly became a linchpin for item tracking among iOS users. With competitive pressure from devices like Samsung’s SmartTag and Tile, Apple’s move to update the AirTag points to an ongoing commitment to both expanding ecosystem capabilities and addressing persistent concerns around privacy and functionality.
Three Major Upgrades Under the Hood
Industry sources, including Bloomberg and 9to5Mac, highlight three principal upgrades for AirTag 2—most driven by both user feedback and Apple’s own technological roadmap:
- Ultra Wideband (UWB) Chip, Gen 2: The most technically significant update comes in the form of Apple’s next-generation UWB chip. Gurman and other reports suggest the tracking range will triple, extending practical distances from roughly 10–30 meters to up to 90 meters. Enhanced UWB also promises increased accuracy, especially beneficial in urban environments or where physical obstacles previously hampered precise location.
- Vision Pro Integration: The updated AirTag is expected to break new ground by integrating with Apple’s Vision Pro spatial computing platform. While details remain speculative, insiders point to potential real-time augmented reality (AR) tracking visuals within Apple’s latest headset, reinforcing Apple’s effort to deeply connect accessories across its growing ecosystem.
- Improved Anti-Stalking Features: Persistent concerns over AirTag misuse for unauthorized tracking have drawn substantial scrutiny. The new version will feature a more tamper-proof speaker, according to Bloomberg, designed to thwart physical interference and provide more reliable audible alerts—directly addressing privacy and safety vulnerabilities.
Pricing, Design, and Launch Expectations
Sources across Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider converge on the likelihood that AirTag 2 will retain the existing $29 single-unit price point (and $99 for a four-pack), maintaining affordability within Apple’s traditionally premium accessory lineup. The device’s external design is not expected to change substantially, aligning with Apple’s incremental approach to successful accessory refreshes (Bloomberg, AppleInsider).
The ongoing price drops for the current AirTag signal both a typical channel-clearing pattern ahead of a replacement and Apple’s confidence in the refreshed model’s value proposition.
Industry Context: How Apple Is Positioning AirTag 2
With the tracker market in flux—Samsung advancing with its SmartTag Plus and Tile broadening cross-platform compatibility—Apple’s escalations in range, AR integration, and privacy stand as a strong retort to industry trends. The emphasis on tighter integration with Vision Pro also underscores Apple's focus on ecosystem depth, extending Find My's usability into new spatial interfaces and potentially offering experiences competitors are not positioned to match.
What’s Next
No official release date or on-record Apple statements have yet confirmed these details, and all upgrades should be treated as credible rumors pending formal announcement. However, with Mark Gurman’s sourcing and a convergence of industry reporting, AirTag 2’s arrival is more a question of “when” than “if.”
For Apple enthusiasts, the coming months—and Apple’s eventual unveiling event—will reveal not only how these enhancements address real-world user needs, but also how AirTag 2 extends Apple’s control over the smart accessory landscape.