At a Glance
- AirTag has become the leading Bluetooth tracker.
- The new model adds a second-generation U2 chip for better precision.
- Pricing stays at $29 per unit or $99 for a four-pack.
Apple’s AirTag has become the de facto “Bluetooth tracker” since its 2021 debut, upending established players like Tile.
Now Apple is finally upgrading the hardware.
The second-generation AirTag still costs $29 for one, and $99 for a four-pack, and it’s available today.
Hardware and Precision Finding
The new tag uses the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the U2, which Apple has already employed in recent iPhone and Apple Watch models.
This chip improves the ability to find the tag’s exact location when using Apple’s Precision Finding mode, with up to 1.5 times greater range.
When you lift your iPhone, you’ll receive visual, audio, and haptic feedback as the device guides you to your AirTag.
For the first time, Precision Finding is now available on the Apple Watch Series 9 or later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or newer.
The second-gen AirTag is 50% louder than its predecessor, and Apple says it can be heard from twice as far away as before; there’s a new chime, too.
- 1.5× longer range for Ultra Wideband precision.
- New, louder chime.
- Compatibility with Watch Series 9+ and Ultra 2+.
Ultra Wideband Explained
Ultra Wideband technology allows the AirTag to communicate with the iPhone using short-range, high-bandwidth signals.
The U2 chip supports directional audio cues, so the device can tell you which direction the tag is in.
Audio Improvements
The new chime is louder and distinct, making it easier to locate the tag by sound alone.
Compatibility with Watches
Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 users can now see precise distance and direction on their wrist.
Software and Ecosystem
Apple requires new owners of the second-gen AirTag to have an iPhone or iPad running the latest iOS 26 version.
You also need an Apple Account and have to be signed into iCloud.
The software features remain the same-everything is powered by Apple’s FindMy feature, which leverages a network of Apple devices in its network to triangulate the tag’s position when it is out of Bluetooth range.
The FindMy network operates anonymously, protecting user privacy while providing accurate location data.
Android users receive the same unknown tracker notifications through the FindMy app, thanks to a partnership with Google.
- FindMy network remains robust across Apple devices.
- Share Item Location continues to work with a growing list of airlines.
FindMy Network
FindMy uses every Apple device in its network to triangulate the tag’s position when it is out of Bluetooth range.
The network operates anonymously, protecting user privacy while providing accurate location data.
Share Item Location
Airlines can now receive the tag’s coordinates and help passengers recover lost items.
Environmental Impact
The new AirTag keeps the same price as the original.
- The FineWoven key ring is designed to match the aesthetic of Apple’s iPhone 17 cases.
- Using 85% recycled plastic reduces the need for virgin plastic production.
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in the magnets eliminate the need for new mining.
- The fiber-based paper packaging is fully recyclable, aligning with Apple’s broader sustainability goals.
Pricing and Availability
The second-gen AirTag is available today at the same price points as the original.
A single tag costs $29, while a four-pack is priced at $99.
A table below summarizes the pricing and availability for the new model.
| Package | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $29 | In stock |
| Four-pack | $99 | In stock |
Retailers and Apple’s own online store carry the new AirTag, and the product can be shipped to most regions worldwide.
Apple ships the AirTag worldwide, with standard delivery times varying by country.
Retailers may offer bundle discounts when purchasing AirTag with compatible accessories.
Key Takeaways
- The second-generation AirTag keeps the same price as the original.
- It adds a second-generation U2 Ultra Wideband chip for improved precision.
- The new tag is louder and has a new chime.
- FindMy and Share Item Location continue to work with a growing list of airlines.
- Battery life unchanged, still over a year.
- FineWoven key ring available for matching iPhone cases.
- Apple’s new U2 chip boosts precision finding.
- FindMy network remains robust across Apple devices.
