The original AirTag was launched nearly four years ago, which is practically a lifetime for an Apple product. The little tracker has proven to be a sleeper hit with plenty of people the world over using it to find their keys, wallet, luggage and various personal belongings. But four years is a long time, and it's time this smart tracker sees an update.
That sort of delay is unusual for Apple, which tends to refresh most of its product lines every couple of years. Now, as summer travel season wraps up and item trackers are more useful than ever, rumors and hints are heating up that a second-gen AirTag might finally be on the way.
Since AirTags first hit the scene, competitors like Tile, Samsung and Google have all made moves to expand or improve their tracking tech. Meanwhile, Apple has stayed quiet, which is typical for the brand, but industry whispers suggest we could see the AirTag 2 announced later this year.
From design tweaks to Find My network upgrades, there's a lot of speculation around what Apple could be planning. Here's what we know so far about the possibilities of an AirTag 2.
Apple/CNET
AirTag 2 design
There have been no rumors that the AirTag 2 will look too different from the original. It will likely have the same tiny circular shape that can fit easily into a pocket or a compatible keychain loop. Some consumers have asked for physical changes like a built-in key hole or a flatter design -- which we've seen in rivals made by Tile and Chipolo -- but there's no indication that Apple will follow these suggestions.
Similarly, the AirTag 2 will likely continue to use a replaceable CR2032 3-volt coin battery instead of transitioning to a rechargeable model. However, there have been reports that the current AirTag isn't always compatible with coin batteries that have a bitterant coating, so the company might alter it somewhat so that it will be.
Rival trackers like this one from Chipolo include a built-in hole for attaching to keychains. Nelson Aguilar/CNET
AirTag 2 features
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