- FIND YOUR ITEMS ON FIND MY — AirTag (2nd generation) helps you keep track of what matters. Attach one to an item you wan…
- EXPANDED PRECISION FINDING ON IPHONE AND APPLE WATCH — Get step-by-step directions to your lost item on iPhone and, now,…
- ENHANCED SPEAKER — With a 50% louder speaker and a new, distinctive chime, it’s easier than ever to hear and find AirTag…
Apple’s item tracker just got its first real upgrade in nearly five years, and it’s more than a cosmetic refresh. The AirTag (2nd Generation) launched in January 2026 with a longer tracking range, a louder speaker, and better precision finding — all while keeping the same $24 starting price that made the original so popular.
What’s New in the 2nd Generation
The biggest change is under the hood: Apple swapped in a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, extending Precision Finding range from about 15 meters on the original AirTag to roughly 60 meters. That’s the difference between only finding your keys somewhere in the house versus tracking them down the street or across a parking lot.
The speaker is also 50% louder with a new, more distinctive chime, making it easier to locate an AirTag by sound alone — useful when it’s buried in a couch cushion or a bag. And for the first time, Precision Finding now works on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, not just iPhone, so you can get step-by-step directions to a lost item without pulling out your phone.
Battery Life and Design
The AirTag still runs on a standard, user-replaceable CR2032 coin battery, rated for more than a year of use. The design is nearly identical to the original — same coin-shaped body, same durability — with a small bump in weight (11.8g vs 11g) and a more tamper-resistant internal design that makes the battery compartment harder to pry open, addressing a common complaint with the first generation.
Who It’s For
This is an easy recommendation for anyone with an iPhone who regularly misplaces things — keys, backpacks, wallets, luggage. It plugs into Apple’s Find My network, which means over a billion devices worldwide can anonymously help locate a lost AirTag, even with no cell signal nearby. Just keep in mind it requires an iPhone running iOS 26 or later (or iPad with iPadOS 26), so it’s not an option for Android users.
Pros
- Significantly longer Precision Finding range (up to 60m)
- 50% louder speaker for easier physical searching
- Now works with Apple Watch, not just iPhone
- Long battery life with an easily replaceable battery
- Massive Find My network for lost-item recovery
Cons
- iPhone/iPad only — no Android support
- Same overall design as the original, so no major visual refresh
- Requires buying separate keychain or wallet accessories, which add to the total cost
Verdict
For $24, the AirTag (2nd Generation) is a small upgrade with a real practical impact, especially the extended range and Apple Watch support. If you already use one AirTag, this is worth the switch. If you’re buying your first tracker, it’s the easy pick over the original model.