Following months of rumors and speculation, Apple has revealed the second-generation AirTag trackers. There are some helpful improvements in the new model, but you probably don’t need to rush with replacing your existing trackers.
First, if you were hoping for a new design with a built-in key ring or other improvements, you’ll be disappointed. This new model has the same physical dimensions and design as the original AirTag. That means older accessories will continue working with the new model, but also means you still need to buy cases and other mounts to attach the tracker to most objects. Those $35 FineWoven Key Ring cases won’t sell themselves.
The new AirTag uses Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which is also found in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. That helps the Precision Finding feature work at longer distances, at “up to 50 percent farther away than the previous generation,” according to Apple. Precision Finding also isn’t limited to your phone—it now works from an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later.
Bluetooth broadcasting distance has also been improved in the new AirTag, and the speaker is “50 percent louder than the previous generation.” Those improvements should make it easier to find your lost items.
Credit: Apple
Apple said in its announcement, “Find My makes it easy to locate AirTag, Apple devices, and compatible third-party devices, as well as keep up with friends and family, all while protecting user privacy. If AirTag is out of range of its paired iPhone, the Find My network can help track it down. The Find My network is a crowdsourced network of Apple devices that use Bluetooth technology to detect the location of an accessory or device, and report their approximate location back to the owner.”
The good news is that the AirTag isn’t changing in price. It’s still $29 for a single tracker, or $99 for a pack of four AirTags. The existing model has frequently gone on sale for $20-$24, so that might happen with the new version after a few months.
There are some useful functional improvements in this model, but it’s annoying that Apple still can’t add a key ring mount. That’s available in many other Find My-compatible trackers, like the UGREEN FineTrack Air and Anker Eufy SmartTrack Link. That doesn’t matter if you’re just throwing the AirTag inside a bag or purse, but for almost any other use case, you need to buy a case separately.
You can buy the new AirTag from Apple’s online store starting today, and physical Apple Store locations should have them stocked “later this week.” It will also be available from other retailers in the near future.
Source: Apple
