iFixIt Teardown Reveals AirTag’s Louder Speaker Is Easily Disabled
▼ Summary
– iFixit’s teardown of the new AirTag confirms it still contains Apple’s U2 Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding with newer iPhones.
– Contrary to rumors, the AirTag 2’s internal design was not made significantly harder to tamper with.
– Apple’s main hardware changes were making the device’s speaker louder and adding new anti-stalking software protections.
– The teardown demonstrates that the speaker can still be easily disabled by removing two wires, which does not affect the tracker’s core functionality.
– The analysis also revealed the upgraded system-on-a-chip (SoC) that manages the device’s Bluetooth and NFC capabilities.
The latest iFixit teardown of Apple’s new AirTag reveals a significant design detail: while the device features a louder speaker and enhanced anti-stalking measures, the speaker itself remains surprisingly simple to disable. This finding highlights a potential gap between the device’s upgraded security features and its physical vulnerability to tampering. The analysis also confirms the presence of Apple’s U2 Ultra Wideband chip, which is crucial for the improved Precision Finding functionality available on newer iPhone models.
Contrary to widespread speculation, the internal architecture of the new AirTag did not receive a major overhaul to make it more tamper-resistant. Apple’s primary hardware changes focused on amplifying the speaker’s volume and implementing a new set of software-based protections against unwanted tracking. These include cross-platform detection alerts and frequently rotating Bluetooth identifiers. However, the physical speaker component did not get a corresponding security upgrade.
iFixit’s examination demonstrates that completely silencing the speaker without damaging the tracker is a straightforward process. The teardown video clearly shows two delicate wires connecting the speaker coil to the main circuit board. A person with basic soldering skills can simply detach these wires, effectively muting the device. The iFixit technician conducting the test initially suspected Apple’s engineers would have anticipated this method, perhaps by designing the system to detect a change in electrical impedance or using the accelerometer to sense missing speaker vibrations. To their surprise, the simple wire removal worked perfectly. The speaker, despite being louder, is just as easy to disable as in previous models.
This accessibility poses a concern, as a disabled speaker prevents the AirTag from playing the audible alerts designed to notify someone if an unknown tracker is moving with them. While not every individual has a soldering iron, the fact that the method is non-destructive and relatively simple is noteworthy. It suggests that determined individuals could still modify the tags to operate silently, undermining one layer of the anti-stalking safeguards.
Beyond the speaker, the teardown provides a clear look at the device’s upgraded internal components. Flipping over the printed circuit board reveals the enhanced system-on-a-chip that manages Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC). More importantly, the analysis confirms the integration of Apple’s U2 Ultra Wideband chip. This specialized hardware is the key enabler for the highly precise, directional finding experience. It allows compatible iPhones, specifically the iPhone 15 and later models, to guide users directly to their lost item with on-screen arrows and distance indicators, a feature known as Precision Finding.
The full teardown, available from iFixit, offers a comprehensive view of all components, from the replaceable battery to the intricate antenna design. It reaffirms that while Apple has bolstered the AirTag’s software security and location-finding accuracy, certain physical aspects of the design remain unchanged and open to modification by knowledgeable users.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
