Kuo: AirTags production to ramp up in the second or third quarter ahead of a fall release

Apple's rumored Tile-like accessory discovered in iOS 13

Apple could launch AirTags, its rumored Tile-like Bluetooth tracking devices, alongside the next iPad Pro and iPhone in September, as per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities.

Kuo predicts in the research note, seen by MacRumors, that Apple commissioned supplier Universal Scientific Industrial as the primary producer of densely packed circuit boards for the product. Universal Scientific Industrial should fulfill approximately 60 percent of orders.

“It is certainly possible that the Ultra Wideband tags could also be unveiled at a March event, if one transpires, but the second to third quarter timeframe for system-in-package shipments leaves room for an announcement at WWDC 2020 in June as well,” MacRumors speculates.

And if these things will see a formal announcement this summer, then surely Apple will make them available to purchase by the time its new 5G iPhones arrive in September, especially with Kuo projecting that suppliers would be making tens of millions of AirTags by the end of 2020.

A sketchy report claims the Cupertino company could host a dedicated media event on March 31 to announce its official iPhone SE successor along with other products, including AirTags.

The “AirTag” name was revealed by a folder within iOS 13.2.

Code strings indicate that the small, circular accessory could be paired with an iPhone like your AirPods or Apple Watch. The device is apparently designed for attaching to keys, wallets and more, allowing the user to track them via a dedicated Items tab in the redesigned Find My app.

The alleged AirTags setup process.

We first heard that Apple was planning to release a Tile-like tracking device back in April 2019.

We then learned via Kuo’s research note in January that the alleged accessory should take advantage of Ultra Wideband technology in the iPhone 11 family with Apple’s custom U1 chip.

Apple may have also acquired the trademark rights to “AirTag”.