Apple AirTag 2 rumored to get this huge upgrade when it launches next year

An Apple AirTag, held between a user's fingers in front of a blurred green background
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple is predicted to launch a new generation of its AirTag tracker next year with a significantly improved range, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman believes Apple will use the next-generation Ultra Wideband chip (UWB) from the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to "considerably increase" the range for the AirTag 2.

The current AirTag trackers (introduced in 2021) offer Precision Finding from anywhere between 30 and 100 feet away. According to Gurman, the "new model should triple that by using the next-generation ultrawide-band chip."

Previous leaks and rumors have given us a fair idea that Apple will reveal the product in mid-2025 and Gurman noted last month the new version has now entered production. But what we don't know is how the upgraded chip will affect the pricing. Apple introduced the AirTag at $29 for a single tracker or $99 for a pack of four. Most of the time (like right now, as of time of writing) they can be found discounted at Amazon or Best Buy. But whether Apple keeps pricing the same or pushes it upwards remains to be seen.

Apple AirTags
Apple AirTags: was $99 now $72 at Amazon

Apple's precise item trackers leverage the Find My network using ultra-wideband technology for incredibly accurate location tracking. Each coin-sized tracker offers a replaceable battery lasting over a year, water resistance, and seamless integration with iPhones. The precision finding feature guides you directly to lost items.

Thanks to the new UWB chip, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 owners can use Precision Finding inside the Find My app to find each other up to 200 feet away. It's possible then we could see the same functionality come to the AirTag 2.

Outside of Precision Finding, the AirTags can still utilize the vast Find My network to track keys, wallets or luggage across huge distances. Just remember to double-check the battery life before embarking on any long-distance trip.

While the internals may receive an upgrade, Gurman doesn't expect the outward appearance to alter for the next model. Which makes sense considering the huge array of first and third party AirTag accessories that have been produced over the last three years.

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Jeff Parsons
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Jeff is UK Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide looking after the day-to-day output of the site’s British contingent. Rising early and heading straight for the coffee machine, Jeff loves nothing more than dialling into the zeitgeist of the day’s tech news.

A tech journalist for over a decade, he’s travelled the world testing any gadget he can get his hands on. Jeff has a keen interest in fitness and wearables as well as the latest tablets and laptops. A lapsed gamer, he fondly remembers the days when problems were solved by taking out the cartridge and blowing away the dust.

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