AirTag shipments rise could result in second-gen model, says Kuo

Apple's AirTag could see a second-generation release, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suspects, but only if shipments of the tracking accessory continue to grow.

The AirTag has become a budget-friendly hit for users, albeit one mired by controversy from the misdeeds of some users. In a Sunday Twitter post, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities believes the accessory's popularity is still rising.

The AirTag "has gradually grown in shipments since its release," the analyst writes. The shipment estimates for the tracker are thought to have reached roughly 20 million in 2021, while in 2022, it is reckoned will reach 35 million.

Kuo points out that AirTag has "not received much attention," referring to how Apple released the tracker and set up connected systems, but hasn't made any real changes to the product so far. "If AirTag shipments continue to grow, I believe Apple will develop the 2nd generation," declares the analyst.

AirTag, which has not received much attention, has gradually grown in shipments since its release. Shipment estimations of AirTag reach about 20 mn & 35 mn units in 2021 & 2022, respectively. If AirTag shipments continue to grow, I believe Apple will develop the 2nd generation.
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 19, 2022

A second-generation model is pretty much a given for most of Apple's releases, with the company typically refining its products with new features across multiple generations. Though not a massive leap in speculation, Kuo's comment is a rare vote of confidence that a new model could arrive at some point.

That said, for a relatively simple design, there's not much that could be tweaked or changed in a future update. Where Apple could go with the tracker in the future is anyone's guess.

11 Comments

mikethemartian 18 Years · 1493 comments

About 2 years ago

I would like to have a version that would combine the Find Me network with an option of adding a cellular link for pet tracking. Also to be able to link the tracker to an Apple device that stays in my home like a Mac or Apple TV and not my iPhone so it doesn’t start beeping when I am away from home.

caladanian 10 Years · 380 comments

„Not much that could be tweaked or change???“ - it could be thinner (like a coin)! …maybe lasting longer, receive better water tightness, higher range - summing all this up I wouldn’t call these small improvements not „not much“.

Xed 4 Years · 2896 comments

mikethemartian said:

I would like to have a version that would combine the Find Me network with an option of adding a cellular link for pet tracking. Also to be able to link the tracker to an Apple device that stays in my home like a Mac or Apple TV and not my iPhone so it doesn’t start beeping when I am away from home.

I think we're a long ways off for cellular (or sat() chip size and battery life being small and efficient enough for that feature.

JP234 said:

Just one, and only one feature I want, is missing from the airtags. That would be allowing family sharing of devices. Other tags have this feature, and it would be convenient for my wife and i when we travel. She has two assigned to her, and I have two assigned to me. We'd like to both be able to see where our bags are, instead of just one of us being able to find two of them. I suppose we could just buy 4 more and assign them opposite, but that's $100 I'd like to keep in my pocket.

Yeah. I was hoping this showed up at WWDC this year.