AirTag 2

The first AirTag made lost-item tracking simple, and a follow-up feels overdue. Luckily, the second-generation AirTags might come very soon.

The next version is expected to feature a second-generation ultra-wideband chip with a significantly longer effective range for precise location finding. Some reports frame the jump as roughly three times the range of the original AirTag, which used Apple’s U1 chip. 

That kind of bump would help you find keys or bags from farther away and speed up directional guidance when you step inside Bluetooth range.

In terms of design and price, we have bittersweet news. The good news is that the price will likely remain the same. Unfortunately, the design might also stay the same, which means we’ll need to get our tools ready to drill another hole into the new AirTags. 

In the features department, safety and trust remain a focus. A more tamper-resistant speaker has been rumored, which would make it harder for people to misuse the AirTags to track people (or cars). 

There have even been rumors about the AirTag tying in more deeply with Apple’s virtual reality world, which would make searching for your keys easier if you have an Apple Vision Pro.

The release date hasn’t been all that clear, but there’s still hope we might see the new AirTag near the end of the year. With that said, while Apple tends to hold an event after the iPhone keynote, it usually focuses on other devices, such as the iPad. However, there’s also no reason these need to be announced at an event; Apple often slips things out more quietly via press release.

Still, if you’re thinking of getting a new tracker, you might be better off waiting, at least for a few more weeks.