Apple could bring out second-gen AirTag by May or June

AppleInsider

The second-generation AirTag refresh could be arriving within months, with a leaker claiming that the tracking tag may land by May at the earliest.

Apple AirTag in a keyring

An update to the AirTag is expected to arrive at some point in 2025. If a leaker is to be believed, it could be arriving within a couple of months.

According to a Monday posting to X by a leaker named Kosutami, Apple's "Next Generation of AirTag" will be arriving in May or June. The account doesn't offer any other AirTag-specific details other than the May or June timeframe.

Kosutami is known as a collector of Apple prototypes, but has served as a leaker from time to time. However, while the leaks have ranged from AirPods Pro 3 rumors to FineWoven cases, the unverifiable and unknown sourcing of the rumor makes it somewhat questionable.

That said, rumors about an update for the compact device have circulated for a while, with a 2025 release predicted back in January 2024 and reiterated in May 2024.

Range, speaker, Apple Vision Pro support

The next version of AirTag could provide consumers with quite a few benefits. For a start, there is the belief that it could have a much longer range than the original, with UltraWide Band support increasing from about 100 foot to 295 feet.

There is also the expectation of a louder speaker to help track it down when it's lost. Better battery life has also been claimed for the accessory, so it will last for far longer between battery changes.

The most out-there rumor is Apple Vision Pro support. By using multiple AirTags placed on a body and employing UWB's accurate positioning and distance detection, it could enable a rudimentary motion capture system for the headset.

Rumor Score: Possible

Read on AppleInsider

apple4thewin

I do like that last theory for VP use. Sony has made something similar for so much more (The Mocopi) this should give body tracking slightly more mainstream. Then again it may be locked to Apple products so maybe not.

maltz

Louder speaker, longer range, better battery life would all be welcome, but not things I'm really longing for.  The main thing I'd like to see are other form factors for things like wallets, and larger versions with decade-long life where size isn't an issue.

I also wish they could figure out a way to have better anti-theft functionality.  I get that it conflicts with anti-stalking features, though.  One way I've thought of is an "Anti-Theft" mode that you could put an AirTag into when it's being used for that purpose.  When in this mode, the AirTag "hides" - no phone alert, no beeping etc.  But it also removes your ability to track it when it's out of range of your device, so that only Apple and/or law enforcement can track it at that point.  Police can track your stolen item, given the AirTag serial number from your Find My list, but you can't use it for stalking.  Maybe have a 24 hour period when you try to put the AirTag back into normal mode, during which time you still cannot track it, but it does start alerting anyone it's tracking to its presence.

rselover

Wild speculation- since apple C modems don’t (yet) have UWB, there will be some kind of alternative tech to allow for “Find My” beyond just directions

oscarg

This omits the primary speculation about next-gen AirTags: Apple may make it harder to rip out the speaker. If they do, forget it. When someone steals my stuff, I don't want them finding and ditching the AirTag, or be warned that I'm coming to beat their ass.

edited February 24

schlack

maltz said:

Louder speaker, longer range, better battery life would all be welcome, but not things I'm really longing for.  The main thing I'd like to see are other form factors for things like wallets, and larger versions with decade-long life where size isn't an issue.

I also wish they could figure out a way to have better anti-theft functionality.  I get that it conflicts with anti-stalking features, though.  One way I've thought of is an "Anti-Theft" mode that you could put an AirTag into when it's being used for that purpose.  When in this mode, the AirTag "hides" - no phone alert, no beeping etc.  But it also removes your ability to track it when it's out of range of your device, so that only Apple and/or law enforcement can track it at that point.  Police can track your stolen item, given the AirTag serial number from your Find My list, but you can't use it for stalking.  Maybe have a 24 hour period when you try to put the AirTag back into normal mode, during which time you still cannot track it, but it does start alerting anyone it's tracking to its presence.

Some affordable, well-designed 3rd party mods already allow for a 10-year AirTag battery life. https://a.co/d/iKAl0je

Now, if they would create a self-powered version, like an automatic watch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_watch), that would be killer. Endless battery life for non-stationary objects.

marvin

schlack said:

Now, if they would create a self-powered version, like an automatic watch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_watch), that would be killer. Endless battery life for non-stationary objects.

That would be good, even a wind-up mechanism would be ok and can be combined with kinetic charging. The power needing stored is very small, given that a CR2032 battery lasts 6-12 months.

Removing the battery would make the AirTags much smaller. They could provide a winding device to recharge them to avoid having to do it by hand. It wouldn't matter if the lifespan was less than with a battery if it was easy enough to recharge them.

Or they could add wireless charging where sticking them to the back of an iPhone or a charging mat would charge up a sealed battery.

edited February 25

mattinoz

Marvin said:

schlack said:

Now, if they would create a self-powered version, like an automatic watch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_watch), that would be killer. Endless battery life for non-stationary objects.

That would be good, even a wind-up mechanism would be ok and can be combined with kinetic charging. The power needing stored is very small, given that a CR2032 battery lasts 6-12 months.

Removing the battery would make the AirTags much smaller. They could provide a winding device to recharge them to avoid having to do it by hand. It wouldn't matter if the lifespan was less than with a battery if it was easy enough to recharge them.

Or they could add wireless charging where sticking them to the back of an iPhone or a charging mat would charge up a sealed battery.

I like the idea of a fully clockwork AirTag given what they are doing is pinging out an “ I am here” signal on a regular basis. Just let it wind itself down sitting in cupboard if you aren’t using an item for an awhile then wind it up when you need it again.