AirTag 2 vs AirTag: What’s New and What You Might Miss

Apple launched the second-generation AirTag, adding a newer Ultra Wideband chip to extend Precision Finding range, an upgraded Bluetooth radio and a louder speaker while leaving size, battery life and pricing unchanged.

Precision Finding and UWB upgrade

AirTag 2 uses a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip to improve Precision Finding, making directional locating effective from farther away than the original model. Certain iPhone and Apple Watch models are required to access the extended Precision Finding capability.

image credit: Apple

How much farther

Apple and reporters frame the improvement as roughly 1.5 times the effective range of the first AirTag, offering clearer haptic, visual and audio guidance at greater distances.

Bluetooth, speaker and physical design

An upgraded Bluetooth radio expands the distance at which items can be located, although Apple did not publish exact range figures.

image credit: Apple

The new internal design yields a speaker that is about 50 percent louder, which Apple says makes the chime audible from up to twice the previous distance. Externally the tag retains the same size and form, so existing accessories remain compatible.

image credit: Apple

Privacy and unwanted tracking protections

Apple describes AirTag 2 as designed for tracking objects only and lists enhanced protections against unwanted tracking, including cross-platform alerts and frequently rotating Bluetooth identifiers. These measures build on prior software updates and industry efforts to reduce misuse of item trackers.

Compatibility, battery and price

Battery life and retail pricing are unchanged. Apple continues to rate battery life at more than one year on a standard coin cell.

The new AirTag is offered at the same price points as the original: $29 for a single tag and $99 for a four-pack. Existing AirTag accessories remain usable with the new model.

👇 What is the difference between AirTag 1 and 2?

Editor's Comments

AirTag 2 focuses on incremental but practical improvements that address two frequent user complaints: limited effective range and low audible volume. The privacy upgrades respond to regulatory and public concerns about misuse, and compatibility with existing accessories lowers friction for upgrades.

The update should consolidate AirTag’s position against rivals such as Tile and Samsung by tightening integration with Apple’s Find My ecosystem, while real-world gains will depend on device compatibility and how broadly carriers and travel partners support item tracking in operational settings.