Apple’s AirTag 2 likely to launch alongside iPhone 17 family this September

Still from Apple AirTag teardown video
Apple’s AirTag 2 is expected to get an autumn release alongside the iPhone 17 family of devices, likely in September, 9to5Mac reports citing “reliable sources.”
Marcus Mendes for 9to5Mac:
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We have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that we are able to confirm that Apple has already set up compatibility with the 2nd-gen AirTag on iOS 18.6. This means that AirTag 2 shouldn’t require iOS 26, which would have been a pretty stingy cutoff.
Now the bad news: According to reliable 9to5Mac sources, Apple is now aiming at a Fall release, likely putting its announcement around the time of the iPhone event, which usually takes place in September.

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MacDailyNews Take: The rumor mill expects the following upgrades for the Apple’s AirTag 2:
• Second-Generation Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Chip: Expected to offer up to three times the tracking range (up to 200-300 feet or 60-90 meters) compared to the current AirTag’s U1 chip, improving Precision Finding accuracy. This chip debuted in the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch
• Tamper-Proof Speaker: A redesigned speaker to make it harder to disable, enhancing anti-stalking measures by ensuring alerts remain audible.
• Vision Pro/Spatial Computing Integration: Rumored compatibility with Apple’s Vision Pro headset, potentially enabling augmented reality (AR) tracking or 3D Precision Finding for more precise location visualization.
• Improved Bluetooth Connectivity: Enhanced reliability for communication with Apple devices, as hinted by iOS 26 code updates.
• Battery Life Improvements: Likely to retain the replaceable CR2032 battery but with better power efficiency for potentially longer battery life.
• Similar Design, Possible Slim Variant: No major design overhaul expected, maintaining the circular puck shape. Some rumors suggest a slimmer, card-shaped version for wallets, but this is unconfirmed.
• Enhanced Privacy Features: Stronger anti-stalking protections, such as improved unauthorized tracking alerts, building on existing Find My network safeguards.

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