New AirTags: Not until fall and with a better power supply?
Apple's AirTags are big sellers, but have long been technically obsolete. Now there are new indications of a second generation.
Apple's AirTags: Inexpensive, popular, outdated.
(Image: tre / Mac&i)
Apple's AirTags have been on the market unchanged since spring 2021. The Bluetooth and ultrawide band (UWB) trackers are often sold and offer a solid user experience when it comes to finding lost items, especially in an urban environment. However, the built-in technology is outdated. Users are hoping for more range, longer battery life and perhaps more accurate location. But when will AirTags 2 arrive?
Greater range and more anti-stalking
Fresh rumors are now coming from the USA. According to "reliable sources" from the Apple blog 9to5Mac, Apple is now planning a sales launch in September or later in the fall. In fact, there are already references to the new model in the beta version of iOS 18.6, where Apple has allegedly already made preparations for the AirTags 2. This would be good news, as it would mean that the new trackers would either be released before iOS 26 and/or at least remain compatible with the previous version.
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So far, it is assumed that the AirTags 2 will receive a next-generation UWB chip. They could then be tracked more accurately from a distance of 60 meters from the iPhone 15 onwards; currently only 15 meters are possible. Apple is also said to have worked on the hardware to make it "tamper-resistant". It should no longer be so easy to deactivate the speaker. However, some users dislike this because it means that the AirTags 2 are no longer suitable as anti-theft protection, although many users love this option. Apple itself, on the other hand, wants to avoid stalking and has even had to deal with class action lawsuits.
The question of the battery
It remains unclear how the AirTags 2 will be powered. Apple currently uses CR2032 button cells. 9to5Mac now speculates that Apple may use rechargeable batteries. However, other market observers such as Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman have not yet confirmed this.
However, Apple is reportedly planning stronger gradations of the battery display in the "Where is?" app (for example, "low" and "very low" power). This would probably be particularly useful with a battery. Nothing has yet been leaked about the price of the new AirTags.
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