Apple’s AirTag 2 Arrives Five Years Late: Is a Range Boost Enough?

Five years is an eternity in consumer tech. Since the original AirTag debuted in 2021, the item-tracker market has matured from a niche novelty into a crowded battlefield. Finally, as of today, January 26, 2026, Apple has released the second-generation AirTag. While the "new AirTag" looks identical to the polished pebble we’ve known for years, the internals have been overhauled to address the original’s most glaring weaknesses: lackluster range, muffled audio, and a mounting wave of privacy concerns.

By keeping the price at $29, Apple is clearly trying to maintain its grip on the ecosystem. However, this refresh arrives in a world where Google’s "Find My Device" network has finally hit its stride and competitors like Tile and Pebblebee offer form factors—like thin wallet cards—that Apple still refuses to touch.

Solving the 'Last Mile' of the Search

The primary technical shift in the AirTag 2 is the jump to a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. For anyone who has lost their keys in the "last mile" of a sofa cushion or a chaotic airport terminal, the 50% range boost addresses the original hardware's biggest bottleneck. Previously, the directional "Precision Finding" arrow often wouldn't engage until you were practically on top of the item; the new chip allows for a much earlier "handshake" between the iPhone and the tracker.

This connectivity now extends to the wrist, with the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 gaining full Precision Finding support. It’s a necessary evolution, though one that feels overdue given that Apple’s silicon has supported these capabilities for years.

Louder Alerts and Reluctant Privacy Wins

One of the most frequent real-world complaints about the first AirTag was its timid speaker. A tracker buried under a winter coat or inside a thick leather bag was often functionally silent. Apple claims the AirTag 2 is 50% louder than its predecessor, a change facilitated by a complete internal redesign.

On the security front, Apple is marketing "industry-first" protections, but these are less about innovation and more about concession. Following years of pressure from privacy advocates and lawsuits regarding stalking, the AirTag 2 fully integrates the cross-platform alerts developed in partnership with Google. These measures—like more frequent Bluetooth identifier rotations—are essential, but they are the result of industry-wide scrutiny rather than Apple's altruism.

The Competition: Apple vs. The Android Network

When the original AirTag launched, it was the only game in town with a massive, crowdsourced network. Today, the landscape is different. Google’s 2024 rollout of the "Find My Device" network for Android has leveled the playing field, allowing third-party trackers to tap into billions of devices.

While the AirTag 2 remains the gold standard for iPhone users due to its tight OS integration, Apple’s refusal to offer different shapes—such as a credit-card-style tracker for wallets—remains a frustrating oversight. Users are still forced to buy third-party "Find My" compatible cards or bulky adhesive mounts to fit the AirTag’s rigid coin-shaped design.

Same Design, Contentious Materials

In terms of hardware maintenance, Apple stuck with the user-replaceable CR2032 battery. While this avoids the "disposable tech" trap of sealed units, it ignores the growing demand for a rechargeable internal battery that would reduce the environmental footprint of millions of lithium coin cells.

The physical dimensions remain unchanged, ensuring that the five years of accumulated accessories still fit. However, Apple’s choice of companion materials remains a sticking point. Alongside the launch, Apple introduced new FineWoven Key Rings ($35). Given the well-documented durability issues of FineWoven—which garnered a reputation for scratching and fraying quickly on iPhone cases—buyers should remain skeptical of how these will hold up to the daily friction of a pocket or bag.

Pricing and Availability

The new AirTag is available to order today at Apple.com and through the Apple Store app, with retail availability expected by the end of the week.

• Single AirTag: $29
• Four-Pack: $99
• FineWoven Key Rings: $35 (Available in fox orange, midnight purple, navy, moss, and black)

For those who have already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the AirTag 2 is a functional, if uninspired, upgrade. It fixes the volume and range issues that should have been addressed years ago, but it does little to push the category forward in a meaningful way.