Apple’s AirTag has change into 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 out there at present.
It is powered by the second-generation Extremely Wideband chip (U2), which Apple has already employed in latest iPhone and Apple Watch fashions. It improves the flexibility to seek out the tag’s actual location when utilizing Apple’s Precision Discovering mode, with as much as 1.5 occasions larger vary. You may carry your iPhone, and you will obtain visible, audio, and haptic suggestions because the gadget guides you to your AirTag. For the primary time, Apple says Precision Discovering is now out there on the Apple Watch Collection 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 total vary. There isn’t any notable improve to battery life, as Apple nonetheless cites “greater than a yr,” 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 model (you additionally want an Apple Account and need to 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 can assist you find and monitor your AirTag. Additionally out there is Apple’s Share Merchandise Location function, which helps you to share the placement of a lacking merchandise with an airline to allow them to discover it in your behalf. Proper now, this function is accessible with 36 airways, however that quantity will soar to 50, although Apple did not present a selected timeline.
After the unique AirTags have been exploited to trace folks, Apple deployed monitoring alerts (and labored with Google to allow these alerts on Android), and those self same capabilities are right here within the second technology. If somebody locations an AirTag in your bag, your iPhone or Android will ship a notification about an “unknown tracker” in your individual.
Apple says the second-gen AirTag is created from 85 p.c recycled plastic in its enclosure, with 100% recycled uncommon earth components 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 received’t have bother stuffing it into the identical AirTag instances, key rings, and different equipment. Apple even has a brand new model of its official Key Ring accent made from its FineWoven materials to match your FineWoven iPhone 17 case.
