The original AirTag landed in 2021, so it’s over a year old now, which in the tech world often means a successor is coming – which will likely be called AirTag 2.
Of course, such an item tracker can only do so much, so it requires almost no annual updates, but it will probably be at least two years from the original before the next model lands.
In any case, sooner or later we’ll probably get an AirTag 2, not least because a reputable analyst has suggested it – and we’ll cover it in more detail below. This article will also be used to post any additional AirTag 2 news and rumors as we hear more.
But for now, in addition to the little information we’ve heard so far, we’ve put together a wish list of things we want from the AirTag 2 to make it worth buying.
To the point
- What is this? The next generation of AirTags
- when is it coming out? Not earlier than 2023 at the earliest
- How much does 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 strong track record in Apple’s information – the company could develop an AirTag 2 if shipments of the current AirTag continue to grow.
Kuo’s exact phrasing is “they believe Apple will develop a second generation” under the circumstances, so it looks like this may just be an opinion, not any inside information, and also as if development may not have started yet.
So we wouldn’t count on seeing an AirTag 2 at all, and if we do, it won’t arrive until 2023 at the earliest.
After all, at the time of writing, we’re almost at the end of 2022, and the AirTag 2 is nowhere to be seen – if this item tracker were to land this year, it would probably do so at the launch of the iPhone 14 in September or the launch of the iPad Pro 2022 in October, but it wasn’t even mentioned.
Given that we still haven’t really heard anything about the AirTag 2 in December 2022, we’d think it probably wouldn’t land until late 2023 – possibly at the launch of the iPhone 15, but that’s pure speculation for now. This would mean well over two years from the launch of the original AirTag in April 2021.
There’s no word on how much the Apple AirTag 2 might cost, but for comparison, the original AirTag costs $29 / £29 / AU$45 if you buy one, or $99 / £99 / AU$149 if you buy four. We think the AirTag 2 would probably have a similar price tag, but that may not depend on what upgrades it has.
News and leaks
Other than the vague suggestion that Apple might make an AirTag 2, there’s no news yet. We will update this section as soon as this changes.
What we want to see
The AirTag arrived fully formed so there isn’t much room for improvement, but there are a few things Apple could do with the AirTag 2, such as the following.
1. Android support
We’re talking about Apple, so it’s no wonder AirTag doesn’t work with Android, but if it did, it would be a much more desirable and popular device.
Of course, this would open the door to Android users, who are much more worldwide than iPhone users. But it would also be more appealing to those who have an iPhone now but don’t necessarily plan on doing it forever.
And AirTag isn’t something that would convince someone to switch to an iPhone, so there’s really no obvious reason to block Android. So while we’d be incredibly surprised if the AirTag 2 supports Android, we really hope it does.
2. More durable construction
While we don’t find the AirTag too fragile, in our review we noted that it is easily scratched after just a few days of use, so for the AirTag 2, we would like the design to be easier to keep pristine.
Given the nature of the AirTag, this can be tricky, especially if you’re attaching it to a bag or other thing where it’s exposed to the outside world, but we’re sure Apple can handle it.
3. Better waterproof performance
The original Apple AirTag is rated IP67, which means it is splash and water resistant up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. That should probably be a lot, but it’s less than some phones (like the iPhone 13 lineup), and given that your AirTag may be more exposed to the elements, we’d love to see an improvement here.
At a minimum, we want the AirTag 2 to have an IP68 rating to match most flagship phones, but the more waterproof the better.
4. Shared access
One of the handy features of some competing location tracking tools like Tile is the ability to share them with others (like family members) so they can help you track down a lost item.
This can be especially useful if, for example, you’re away from home and think you’ve left a tracked item at home. In this situation, sharing an AirTag with a family member or roommate can speed up the locating process. So we’d love to see that added to the AirTag 2.
5. Lower price
In the world of Apple devices and technology in general, AirTag is not crazy expensive. In fact, it has a similar price to most competing trackers. But if you want to buy one of Apple’s keychains or straps to actually attach the AirTag to something, the price skyrockets, and these accessories often cost more than the AirTag itself.
So with the AirTag 2, we want either the device itself to be cheaper or these accessories. Or better yet, both.