The AirTag might not seem to be crying out for a successor – after all, it only arrived in 2021, and there’s a lot an item tracker like this can do. So it hardly needs yearly updates, but Apple could be planning an AirTag 2.
A reputable analyst suggested this – and we’ll go into more detail below. This article will also be used to house any additional news and rumors about the AirTag 2 as soon as we hear more.
But for now, in addition to the small amount of information we’ve heard so far, we’ve included a wish list of things we want from an AirTag 2 to make it worth buying.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The next generation of AirTag
- When do you leave? Probably not before 2023 at the earliest
- How much will it cost? unknown for now
Apple AirTag 2 release date and price
At the moment, we don’t even know if there will be an AirTag 2, but according to Ming-Chi Kuo – an analyst with a long track record at Apple – the company could develop an AirTag 2 if shipments of the current AirTag continue to grow.
Kuo’s exact line is that they “believe Apple will develop 2nd gen” under these circumstances, so it seems that this might just be an opinion rather than any inside information, and also that development might not have started yet.
So we wouldn’t count on seeing an AirTag 2, and if we do, it probably won’t arrive before 2023 at the earliest.
There’s no news on the price of the Apple AirTag 2, but for reference, the original AirTag retails for $29 / £29 / AU$45 if you buy one, or $99 / £99 / AU$149 if you buy one pack of four. We think the AirTag 2 would likely be similarly priced, but it might not depend on what updates it has.
news and leaks
Aside from a vague suggestion that Apple might make an AirTag 2, there’s still no news about it. We will populate this section as soon as that changes.
what do we want to see
The AirTag arrived fully formed, so there’s not much room for improvement, but there are a few things Apple could do with an AirTag 2, like the following.
1. Android Support
We’re talking about Apple, so it’s no surprise that the AirTag doesn’t work with Android, but it would be a much more desirable and popular device if it did.
Of course, this would open up to Android users, of which there are far more globally than iPhone users. But it would also make it more appealing to those who own an iPhone now but don’t necessarily plan on doing so all the time.
And the AirTag isn’t the sort of thing that would convince anyone to switch to the iPhone, so there’s really no obvious reason to block Android. So while we would be incredibly surprised if the AirTag 2 supported Android, we really hope it does.
2. A more durable design
While we don’t think the AirTag is overly flimsy, our review noted that it wore out easily in just a few days of use, so for the AirTag 2 we’d like a design that’s easier to keep intact.
Given the nature of the AirTag, this can be tricky, particularly if you’re strapping it to a bag or something else exposed to the outside world, but we’re sure Apple can handle it.
3. Better waterproofing
The original Apple AirTag has an IP67 rating, which means it is splash and water resistant to a depth of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. That should probably be enough, but it’s less than some phones (like the iPhone 13 range) and since your AirTag might be more exposed to the elements, we’d like to see an improvement here.
At the very least, we want the AirTag 2 to have an IP68 rating, matching most flagship phones, but the more waterproof the better.
4. Shared Access
A useful feature of some rival location trackers like Tile is the ability to give others (like family members) access to them so they can help you track your lost item.
This can be especially useful if, for example, you’re out and about and you think you left the item you’re tracking at home. In this situation, giving a family member or roommate access to your AirTag can speed up the process of locating it. So we would like to see this added for AirTag 2.
5. A lower price
In the world of Apple devices and technology in general, an AirTag is not very expensive. In fact, it carries a similar price tag as most rival trackers. But if you want to buy one of Apple’s key chains or straps to actually attach the AirTag to something, the price shoots up, with these accessories often costing more than the AirTag itself.
So for the AirTag 2 we want the device itself to be cheaper or these accessories to be. Or better yet, both.
