AirTag 2.0: Louder, Smarter, Still $29

$29. That's what Apple's second-generation AirTag costs—exactly the same as the original from 2021. But inside this coin-sized tracker, quite a bit has changed.

The most noticeable upgrade is volume. The new AirTag is 50% louder than its predecessor, and Apple claims you can hear it from twice the distance. There's also a new chime sound. Finding your keys buried in couch cushions just got significantly easier.

Precision Gets More Precise

The Ultra Wideband chip has been upgraded to the second-generation U2, already found in recent iPhones and Apple Watches. Precision Finding now works at 1.5 times greater range, using visual, audio, and haptic feedback to guide you to your lost item.

For the first time, Precision Finding is available on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2. You can now hunt for your missing wallet directly from your wrist, no iPhone required.

The Bluetooth chip also received an upgrade for better overall range, though battery life remains "more than a year" with user-replaceable batteries.

The Stalking Problem Persists

AirTag's most sensitive issue remains unchanged: potential misuse for stalking. Someone could slip an AirTag into your bag to track your movements. Apple provides "unknown tracker" alerts on both iPhone and Android devices, and these protections carry over to the second generation.

But this remains a band-aid solution. Determined bad actors can still modify AirTags or find workarounds. The fundamental tension between useful tracking and potential abuse hasn't been resolved through hardware alone.

Airlines Join the Hunt

The Share Item Location feature deserves attention. You can now share your lost item's location with airlines so they can help find it. Currently available with 36 airlines, this will expand to 50—though Apple hasn't specified when.

This could be genuinely useful for frequent travelers. Toss an AirTag in your checked luggage, and if it goes missing, the airline has a head start on locating it. The feature reflects Apple's broader strategy of making its ecosystem more useful through partnerships.

Same Shape, Greener Materials

While the AirTag looks identical to its predecessor, the materials have changed significantly. The enclosure uses 85% recycled plastic, magnets contain 100% recycled rare earth elements, and circuit boards feature 100% recycled gold plating. Even the packaging is now 100% fiber-based paper.

This compatibility means your existing AirTag accessories still work. Apple has also released a new FineWoven key ring to match iPhone 17 cases, for those committed to the ecosystem aesthetic.

What Apple Isn't Saying

The unchanged $29 price point is interesting. In an era of inflation and component cost increases, Apple held the line. This suggests either improved manufacturing efficiency or a strategic decision to maintain accessibility. Given AirTag's role in strengthening the Find My network—which benefits from scale—the latter seems likely.

The software requirements are also telling. You need the latest iOS 26, an Apple Account, and iCloud sign-in. Apple continues tightening the ecosystem screws, making it harder to use just one Apple product without committing to the whole suite.