Apple AirTags 2 Set to Launch Soon with Major UWB Upgrade and Anti-Stalking Features

What you need to Know

• Second-generation UWB chip with up to 3x range

• Same compact design, no rechargeable battery

• Possible integration with Apple Vision Pro

• Launch expected between July and September 2025

• Similar pricing and battery life as the original model

---

Apple's AirTag has been one of the most sought-after item tracking devices since its launch in 2021. Nevertheless, the tech giant has not updated the product for more than four years, and thus, increasing expectation for a second-generation product. Well, the wait now appears to be almost over. Several sources indicate that AirTags 2 may finally hit the market in 2025, introducing important performance and safety advancements.

AirTags 2 Release Date Expected Soon After iPhone 17 Event in September

Initial reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman hinted that Apple was planning to launch the new AirTags by mid-2025. However, as that timeframe has already passed without any announcement at WWDC in June, speculation now points toward a more likely debut in September, possibly alongside the upcoming iPhone 17 Series. Renowned Apple-focused publication 9to5Mac supports this claim, stating the AirTags 2 may make their debut during Apple’s fall product event.

Interestingly, Gurman also said the AirTags 2 are "nearly ready," indicating Apple might launch them via a press release or not at all during a keynote event. With multiple sources indicating a July to September release window, impatient shoppers might want to hold off on buying the existing model for a little while longer.

Familiar Design but with Powerful Internals

Physically, don't expect much to change. No leaks so far indicate any redesign of the AirTag. Apple is reportedly holding on to the same minimalist and compact footprint that has become synonymous with the tracking device category. Sadly, rechargeable batteries don't look like they'll be part of the upgrade as well, which may be a letdown to users who were expecting a greener and more convenient power option. Similar to the original, AirTags 2 will probably still use CR2032 coin batteries.

Huge Enhancement in Tracking Ability with UWB 2 Chip

The most significant upgrade in the next AirTags 2 is on the inside hardware. The product will have a second-generation Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chip, a big bump from the first generation. This is said to increase tracking range by as much as three times and also provide improved Precision Finding capability. As a point of reference, the UWB 2 chip featured in recent iPhones can track a distance of 200 feet, so the AirTag 2 may provide similar or even equal abilities.

This increased range will allow it to be easier to find missing items in open areas like parks, airports, or malls. The new chip not only increases range but also enhances positional accuracy, allowing users to accurately identify the location of their tagged item quicker and more effectively.

Louder & Tamper-Proof Speaker

One of the biggest concerns about the original AirTag was its possible use for stalking. Apple appears to have listened. The AirTag 2 is said to have a louder built-in speaker that will be easier to hear when lost, as well as when it is detecting an unknown AirTag in close proximity. Apple is also said to be re-engineering the speaker so that it cannot easily be removed or disabled, a direct response to abusers removing the speaker to mute the device.

These upgraded anti-stalking features could assist Apple in enhancing the AirTag's image as a secure and moral tracking device, particularly in the wake of heightened privacy worries about location-tracking devices.

Vision Pro Integration on the Horizon

Another interesting development comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who indicates the AirTag 2 could support Vision Pro integration, Apple's spatial computing headset. Although information is scant, such integration would create new use cases in augmented reality (AR), allowing for tracking of items in a 3D spatial environment using the headset. Whether this will be launched or included later with software updates is still unknown.

This suggests Apple's ultimate vision of having a close-knit ecosystem in which all products, ranging from AirTags to Vision Pro, integrate flawlessly together in a smarter and more immersive experience.

Pricing and Battery Life

Assuming the rumors are true and Apple is not redesigning the product or introducing revolutionary new features, AirTag 2 pricing should be comparable to the first version. The original AirTag is currently priced at $29 in the US and ₹3,190 in India, and there's no indication that the AirTag 2 will be a lot more expensive. Battery longevity should similarly stick around where it is now, providing approximately one year of service per battery, depending on use.

Some were expecting USB-C or magnetic recharging solutions, but it seems Apple is opting for familiarity and affordability over innovation in this area.

With the AirTag 2 reportedly set to land somewhere in July to September 2025, whoever is considering buying the latest AirTag might find it worth waiting for a few more weeks. The upcoming model is said to provide improved tracking performance, safer use, and forward-looking features such as Vision Pro support.

Apple can still surprise us with more features when the product is finally revealed, either in a press statement or at the September iPhone event. Either way, the AirTags 2 appear to be a significant upgrade of an already successful product.