Apple’s tiny Bluetooth tracker is on the verge of a much bigger upgrade, with code leaks and supply chain chatter pointing to an AirTag refresh that focuses squarely on more accurate, more reliable location tracking. Instead of reinventing the coin-sized puck, Apple appears to be concentrating on how precisely it can be found, how far away it can still be detected, and how smoothly it works in crowded, fast-moving real life.
If those changes arrive as expected, the next AirTag generation could shift from a handy key finder into a far more capable safety and logistics tool, tightening Apple’s grip on the tracking market just as Android rivals have started to catch up.
Why Apple is doubling down on tracking accuracy
Location precision has always been the AirTag’s main selling point, but it is also where the current model shows its age. The original tracker leans on Apple’s ultra-wideband chip and the Find My network of nearby iPhones, which works well in many situations but can struggle in dense crowds, multi-story buildings, or when the tagged item is moving quickly, such as a suitcase being loaded through an airport. I see the next wave of upgrades as Apple’s attempt to close those gaps rather than chase flashy new hardware designs.
Internal code hints suggest that Apple is preparing an upgraded AirTag that keeps the familiar disc shape while focusing on better location performance and tighter integration with other devices in the ecosystem, including a refreshed HomePod mini. Reporting on those internal references notes that the new tracker is expected to arrive alongside an upgraded HomePod mini, reinforcing the idea that Apple is treating precise location as a core smart home feature rather than a niche accessory.
What leaked iOS code reveals about AirTag 2
The clearest signs of Apple’s plans are buried in iOS itself. References in pre-release system software point to a next-generation AirTag, often described as “AirTag 2,” with new tracking behaviors that go beyond the current model’s capabilities. I read these code snippets as Apple’s blueprint for how the tracker will behave in edge cases, such as when it is moving at speed or surrounded by many other devices broadcasting similar signals.
One analysis of those internal hooks describes a significant tracking update discovered in the iOS code, indicating that Apple is working on smarter algorithms inside its Find My ecosystem rather than relying only on raw radio power. A separate breakdown of an iOS 26 build points to four new features found for “Apple AirTag 2,” with the code suggesting that the new tracker will look a lot like the original AirTag while behaving differently under the hood.
Longer range and sharper Precision Finding
Range is the most obvious frontier for a tracker, and it is where Apple appears ready to make a noticeable leap. Current AirTags are limited by Bluetooth and the first-generation ultra-wideband hardware, which means they can be very accurate at short distances but less reliable once they are separated from nearby Apple devices. Rumors around the next model point to a focus on how far away an AirTag can still be detected and how precisely that distance can be measured.
Reporting on the upcoming hardware describes a 2025 AirTag rumored to get remarkably longer range location tracking and precision, with the next-generation Apple AirTags expected to deliver improved range and location tracking while still relying on the Find My network. Separate code-based reporting notes that Apple is exploring a new ultra-wideband chip that would improve the Precision Finding feature, with internal references indicating that while some of the new features may arrive via software, the upgraded chip would specifically improve the Precision Finding feature for those who buy the new hardware.
Smarter performance in crowds and on the move
Real life is messy, and that is where the current AirTag can falter. In a busy airport, a packed concert venue, or a crowded subway car, the tracker has to compete with hundreds of nearby devices and signals. When the tagged item is moving quickly, such as a backpack on a train or a bike weaving through city streets, the AirTag’s periodic pings can lag behind reality. Apple seems to be targeting these scenarios directly with the next version.
One detailed report on the upcoming hardware says that AirTag 2 is set to get improved tracking in crowds and while moving, with the next-generation Apple AirTags expected to look the same but behave more intelligently when surrounded by many devices or when the tagged object is in motion. Another breakdown of the leaked iOS 26 build notes that Apple’s AirTag 2 tracker has a slate of new behaviors wired into the software, even if we do not yet know exactly how each one will surface in the user interface.
How Apple plans to outpace Android trackers again
Apple’s first AirTag arrived into a market already populated by Tile and, more recently, a wave of Android-compatible trackers that lean on Google’s own network. Since then, Android devices have gained their own system-level tracking features, and third-party tags have improved in both range and anti-stalking protections. For Apple, the next AirTag is not just a hardware refresh, it is a chance to reassert a lead in a category it helped popularize but does not fully control.
Leaked details suggest that Apple is preparing a feature set designed to put distance between AirTag 2 and its Android rivals, with particular emphasis on pairing speed, precision finding, and how the tracker behaves when separated from its owner. One report notes that a leak reveals how AirTag 2 could outpace Android trackers again, pointing to improvements in pairing, precision finding, and other potential upgrades that would make the tracker feel faster and more reliable in daily use. Another analysis of Apple’s internal code emphasizes that Apple is expected to unveil an upgraded AirTag with improved tracking features, reinforcing the idea that the company is not content to let Android’s ecosystem catch up.
Battery life, coin cells, and the bitterant problem
Battery life is one of the few things the current AirTag already does well, but it is also a source of friction. The tracker uses a user-replaceable coin cell, which is convenient, yet some brands of those batteries include a bitterant coating to discourage children from swallowing them. That coating has been reported to cause compatibility issues, leaving some owners confused when a fresh battery fails to power the device properly.
Rumors around the next AirTag suggest that Apple is at least aware of this pain point. One overview of the upcoming hardware notes that however, there have been reports that the current AirTag is not always compatible with coin batteries that have a bitterant coating, and that Apple may need to tweak the design somewhat so that it will be more forgiving. Separate reporting on the next-generation hardware notes that an improvement in battery performance is expected alongside the new tracking features, with the upgraded model now expected in 2026 instead of arriving earlier.
Release timing: why AirTag 2 is taking longer
Apple’s hardware cadence is usually predictable, which is why the AirTag’s long gap between generations stands out. The original tracker has been on the market for years without a full successor, even as Apple has refreshed iPhones, Apple Watch models, and AirPods on a regular schedule. The emerging picture is that Apple has chosen to wait for a more substantial internal upgrade rather than push out a minor revision.
Multiple reports now point to a launch window in the first half of 2026, suggesting that AirTag 2 will arrive alongside other ecosystem updates rather than as a standalone event. One summary of the company’s plans notes that reports further suggest that the AirTag 2 is being prepared for an early 2026 release, with the tracking device positioned as a key part of Apple’s broader smart home and location strategy. Another analysis of internal code and product timing indicates that the next-generation AirTag, along with an updated HomePod mini, was initially expected sooner but has now been quietly pushed to next year.
How much better will the current AirTag get via software?
Not every improvement will require new hardware, and that matters for the millions of people who already own AirTags. Apple has a track record of backporting some features to older devices through iOS updates, especially when those features rely more on algorithms than on new chips. With AirTag, that could mean smarter anti-stalking alerts, better handoff between nearby iPhones, or more reliable notifications when a tagged item is left behind.
Code-based reporting suggests that Apple is planning to split upgrades between the existing tracker and the upcoming model. One analysis of internal references notes that while some of the new features may arrive for the current AirTag via a software update, others will depend on the new ultra-wideband chip that is expected to ship in the next-generation hardware. A separate breakdown of the iOS 26 build reinforces this split, highlighting that the Apple AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will not be fully replicated on the original tracker, even though both will benefit from broader Find My improvements.
What this means for buyers right now
For anyone considering a tracker today, the looming arrival of AirTag 2 creates a familiar dilemma: buy now or wait. The current AirTag remains tightly integrated with iOS, and for many people it already does the job of keeping tabs on keys, bags, and luggage. At the same time, the prospect of longer range, better crowd performance, and smarter behavior in motion makes the next model sound like a meaningful upgrade rather than a minor spec bump.
Price complicates the decision in an interesting way. Retailers are already discounting the existing hardware, with one recent deal highlighting that right now, you can pick up a four-pack of AirTags for an all-time low of $62.99, which is about $36 off the usual price at retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. For buyers who simply want a reliable way to track a suitcase or a set of car keys, that kind of discount makes the current model hard to ignore, especially if Apple follows through on its plan to deliver at least some of the new software features to existing AirTags.
The quiet hardware details that still matter
Beyond the headline features, the AirTag’s physical design and basic specs are expected to remain familiar. The current model is a small, white disc with a stainless steel back, powered by a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell, and it has become a common sight on key rings, in luggage tags, and tucked into glove compartments. Apple appears to be betting that this form factor still works, and that the real gains will come from what happens inside the shell rather than from a visible redesign.
Retail listings for the existing tracker underscore how little Apple may need to change on the outside. The current silver AirTag is still sold as a compact, water-resistant accessory that can be attached to keys, bags, or other items, with one listing positioning the Apple AirTag silver as a simple way to keep track of everyday belongings. Separate product search entries describe the AirTag as a small, circular product that pairs with the Find My app, while another listing highlights the same product positioning for people who want a straightforward tracker. A separate catalog entry reinforces that the product is already well established in online storefronts, which makes it more likely that Apple will keep the same basic look and feel for the second generation.
How AirTag fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem push
Apple’s interest in better tracking is not limited to a single accessory. The company has been steadily weaving location awareness into its broader ecosystem, from Find My integration on Mac and iPad to precision handoff features between iPhone and HomePod. The next AirTag appears to be part of a coordinated push that also includes a refreshed HomePod mini and deeper Find My hooks inside iOS 26.
Code-based reporting on Apple’s plans notes that the company is preparing an upgraded HomePod mini alongside the new AirTag, with the smaller smart speaker expected to feature a new chip that could improve how it interacts with nearby devices. Another report on the same internal code emphasizes that Apple is expected to unveil an upgraded AirTag that will offer improved tracking features, and that some of those enhancements may arrive for the current tracker via a software update. Taken together, these moves suggest that Apple sees precise location not as a side project but as a foundational capability that will touch everything from smart speakers to iPhones to tiny discs clipped to your keys.
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