AirTag 2 arrives with better range and a louder speaker — but the same look 🔍

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After four years of faithful service, Apple’s AirTag is getting an upgrade. Well, sort of. If you were expecting a visual makeover, you’ll be disappointed: the little white disc looks exactly the same. But under the hood, Apple has carefully refined its formula. The AirTag 2 arrives today with targeted improvements that actually matter in your daily life—like finding your keys buried in the couch or tracking down your lost luggage at a layover.

Range that finally extends 📡

The star of this new generation is the second-gen Ultra Wideband chip—the same one found in the iPhone 17 lineup and latest Apple Watches. The practical result? Precision Finding now guides you to your lost items from up to 50% farther away than before. Apple didn’t share exact numbers, but the improvement should be noticeable in real-world use. The Bluetooth chip has also been upgraded to extend the general detection range.

For those who live with an Apple Watch on their wrist, good news: Precision Finding is finally coming to the watch (Series 9 or newer, Ultra 2 or newer). You’ll be able to track down your keys directly from your wrist, without pulling out your iPhone. A small daily revolution.

A speaker that can’t be ignored 🔊

Another major change: the internal speaker has been completely redesigned. Apple claims 50% more sound power, meaning you can hear your AirTag from up to twice as far away as before. If you’ve ever struggled to hear the muffled « beep » of your AirTag stuck at the bottom of a bag or between couch cushions, you’ll appreciate this. The chime has also been redesigned to be more distinctive.

This audio improvement comes with a better overall finding experience, with coordinated haptic, visual, and audio feedback to guide you effectively to your lost item. Whether you’re hunting for keys that fell behind furniture or a wallet you misplaced at the last minute, the AirTag 2 promises to be more effective.

Pricing, availability, and compatibility 💰

Apple is keeping its pricing: $29 per unit or $99 for a four-pack, with free custom engraving through the Apple Store online. The new AirTag is available today online and will arrive in physical stores later this week. Practical detail: since the form factor is identical to the first generation, all your current accessories (key rings, luggage tags) remain perfectly compatible.

On the technical side, you’ll need iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 minimum to use the new AirTag. For Precision Finding on Apple Watch, you’ll need watchOS 26.2.1 (not yet available at the time of announcement, but expected to arrive soon).

Privacy still front and center 🔒

Apple emphasizes: AirTag remains designed to track objects, not people or pets. Anti-tracking protections are still there, with alerts on iOS and Android, regularly rotating Bluetooth identifiers, and end-to-end encryption. The device physically stores no data or location history. No one, not even Apple, can know the identity or location of devices that helped locate your AirTag.

The airline partnership is also expanding: over 36 airlines (with 15 more coming soon) now allow you to temporarily and securely share your luggage location to help recover delayed or lost bags. According to SITA, an IT provider for airlines, this feature has reduced baggage delays by 26%.

A measured update 🌙

The AirTag 2 perfectly illustrates Apple’s philosophy of « if it ain’t broke, improve what matters. » No design revolution, no flashy naming (officially, it’s just called « AirTag, » even though everyone will say AirTag 2), but tangible improvements where they’re useful: range, sound, Watch integration.

Apple could have gone more dramatic—added a rechargeable battery or completely redesigned the form factor. But the company chose the path of continuity and incremental improvement. An approach that has the merit of consistency: accessories remain compatible, the price doesn’t increase, and the user experience meaningfully improves.

For first-gen owners, the upgrade question will mainly depend on whether you frequently struggle to find your items or if you’re a frequent traveler. For new buyers, it’s a no-brainer: you get the best version at the same price as the old one. Apple also emphasized sustainability with 85% recycled plastic, 100% recycled rare earth elements in the magnets, and 100% fiber-based packaging.

What do you think of this AirTag update? Do you find these improvements sufficient, or would you have liked to see Apple push innovation further? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬