Apple’s AirTag has turn out to be the de facto “Bluetooth tracker” since its 2021 debut, upending established gamers like Tile. Now, Apple is lastly upgrading the {hardware}. The second-generation AirTag nonetheless prices $29 for one, and $99 for a four-pack, and it is available today.
It is powered by the second-generation Extremely Wideband chip (U2), which Apple has already employed in current iPhone and Apple Watch fashions. It improves the flexibility to find the tag’s exact location when utilizing Apple’s Precision Discovering mode, with as much as 1.5 occasions higher vary. You possibly can elevate your iPhone, and you may obtain visible, audio, and haptic suggestions because the system guides you to your AirTag. Apple says Precision Discovering is now accessible on the Apple Watch Series 9 or later and the Apple Watch Extremely 2 or newer.
The second-gen AirTag is 50 p.c louder than its predecessor, and Apple says it may be heard from twice as distant as earlier than; there is a new chime, too. Apple has additionally upgraded the Bluetooth chip for higher vary. There is not any notable improve to battery life, as Apple nonetheless cites “greater than a 12 months,” although the battery stays user-replaceable.
{Photograph}: Courtesy of Apple
Apple requires new homeowners of the second-gen AirTag to have an iPhone or iPad operating the most recent iOS 26 version (you additionally want an Apple Account and must be signed into iCloud). The software program options stay the identical—every little thing is powered by Apple’s Discover My function, which leverages a community of Apple units that will help you find and monitor your AirTag. After the unique AirTags have been being exploited to track people, Apple deployed monitoring alerts (and labored with Google to enable these alerts on Android), and those self same capabilities are right here within the second era.
Apple says the second-gen AirTag is constructed from 85 p.c recycled plastic in its enclosure, with 100% recycled uncommon earth parts within the magnets, and 100% recycled gold plating within the printed circuit boards, to not point out 100% fiber-based paper packaging. The AirTag retains the identical form as its predecessor, which means you gained’t have hassle stuffing it into the identical AirTag circumstances, key rings, and different equipment. Apple even has a brand new model of its official Key Ring accent made from its FineWoven material to match your FineWoven iPhone 17 case.
