November 18, 2024 – It has been over three years since Apple introduced the AirTag in April 2021, and now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is gearing up to release a new version in mid-2025.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is developing a new AirTag, codenamed B589, which is expected to hit the market next year. The accessory has entered production testing, indicating that Apple is preparing to bring it to consumers.
Echoing this timeline, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously stated in October 2023 that the mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been postponed from the fourth quarter of 2024 to some point in 2025, albeit without specifying the reasons. Both Gurman and Kuo, therefore, agree that the new AirTag is slated for release next year.
Gurman suggests that the upcoming AirTag will feature an upgraded chip for enhanced location tracking capabilities. This hints at the possibility of the new AirTag incorporating the second-generation UWB chip that was first introduced in all iPhone 15 models last year.
Furthermore, Gurman anticipates that the internal speaker of the new AirTag will be more difficult to remove, as a precautionary measure against being used for stalking purposes. Despite these internal improvements, he expects the exterior design of the new AirTag to remain similar to the current model.
Lastly, Gurman notes that the new AirTag will offer an extended range for location tracking, providing users with an even more comprehensive and reliable experience.
