Apple’s AirTag Gets Its First Major Upgrade in 5 Years
▼ Summary
– Apple has released a second-generation AirTag, maintaining its $29 price for a single unit and featuring the new U2 Ultra Wideband chip for improved Precision Finding.
– The new AirTag offers up to 1.5 times greater range for Precision Finding, which is now also available on compatible Apple Watch models.
– It features a speaker that is 50 percent louder with a new chime and has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for better range, though battery life remains over a year.
– The device requires the latest iOS 26, uses Apple’s Find My network, and retains the same anti-stalking alerts introduced after the first generation.
– It is made with significant recycled materials, including 85% recycled plastic, and retains its original shape for compatibility with existing accessories.
After a long wait, Apple has introduced the first major update to its popular AirTag item tracker, marking a significant step forward for the device that redefined the market. The new model retains the familiar price point of $29 for a single unit or $99 for a four-pack, ensuring it remains an accessible option for keeping tabs on your belongings. Available immediately, this second-generation version focuses on enhanced performance and sustainability, building upon the foundation of the widely adopted Find My network.
Powering the upgrade is Apple’s latest second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (U2), already featured in newer iPhones and Apple Watches. This new silicon delivers tangible improvements, most notably for Precision Finding. The technology now offers up to 1.5 times greater range for pinpointing an AirTag’s exact location. When searching, users can simply raise their iPhone and receive guided directional feedback through a combination of visual cues, sound, and haptic vibrations. This Precision Finding capability has also been extended to compatible wearables, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Audible alerts are another area of improvement. The built-in speaker is now 50 percent louder than the previous model, with Apple claiming the sound can be heard from twice the distance. A new chime has been added to the audio repertoire as well. Complementing the U2 chip, an upgraded Bluetooth module provides better overall wireless range. Battery life remains consistent, rated at “more than a year” with a standard, user-replaceable coin cell battery.
Setting up the new tracker requires an iPhone or iPad updated to the latest iOS 26 software, along with an Apple ID signed into iCloud. The core functionality continues to revolve around Apple’s Find My network, which anonymously leverages millions of Apple devices worldwide to help locate lost items. Important privacy and safety features introduced after the first-generation launch, including unwanted tracking alerts that also work on Android devices in collaboration with Google, are fully integrated into this new model.
Apple has placed a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility with this release. The enclosure is constructed using 85 percent recycled plastic, while the magnets contain 100 percent recycled rare earth elements. Furthermore, the printed circuit boards use 100 percent recycled gold plating, and the packaging is made entirely from fiber-based paper. The physical design is unchanged, ensuring compatibility with the vast ecosystem of existing cases, key rings, and accessories. Apple is also offering a new official Key Ring accessory crafted from its FineWoven material, designed to coordinate with matching iPhone cases.
(Source: Wired)
