Apple announced AirTag 2: what’s new and how it differs from the old one?

The wait is over and Apple has finally updated one of its most popular and useful accessories. In an official press release issued today, the Cupertino company has introduced the new AirTag (which, up to now, we have called AirTag 2), evolving the small object-tracking disc launched originally in 2021.

Although the exterior appearance may look identical, concealing a continuing design that will please owners of older accessories, the internal changes are substantial.

The device promises to address the limitations of the first generation, focusing on greater range, a louder audio, and an even deeper integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Apple AirTag 2: what’s new?

The new AirTag comes to life thanks to a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. This is the same processor Apple has integrated into the iPhone 17 line, in the new iPhone Air and in the latest Apple Watch models.

The adoption of this advanced silicon translates into significantly higher detection capabilities. Thanks to this upgrade, the Precise Finding feature is now capable of guiding the user to the lost object from up to 50% farther than the previous model.

Alongside the UWB chip there is also an updated Bluetooth module, which further extends the overall range for localization.

But hardware innovations don’t stop at connectivity. One of the most common feedback points about the old model was the speaker volume, sometimes hard to hear if the object was buried under cushions or clothing.

Apple has addressed the issue by redesigning the interior to make the new AirTag 50% louder. This, combined with a new distinctive sound, allows you to hear the audible alert from twice the distance, making it easier to locate keys or wallets hidden in the farthest corners of the home.

Precision Finding on Apple Watch: a whole new experience

One of the most significant differences in daily usage concerns the integration with Apple Watch. For the first time, the Precise Finding feature, which provides visual, haptic and audible feedback to guide the user to the item, lands directly on the wrist.

Owners of an Apple Watch Series 9, an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or newer models, will be able to use the watch to find their AirTag 2 without pulling the iPhone out of their pocket.

<!– wp:pgcsimplygalleryblock/slider {"sliderAdminWidth":1068,"startPosIndex":0,"galleryType":"pgc_sgb_slider","galleryId":"7d004954","images":[{"id":624976,"title":"Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-01","url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-01.jpg","link":"https://gizchina.it/?attachment_id=624976","alt":"Apple AirTag 2","description":"","caption":"Credits: Apple","mime":"image/jpeg","type":"image","width":591,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":150,"width":150,"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-01-150×150.jpg","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":300,"width":246,"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-01-246×300.jpg","orientation":"portrait"},"full":{"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-01.jpg","height":720,"width":591,"orientation":"portrait"}},"imageMeta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]},"meta":false,"postlink":"https://gizchina.it/?attachment_id=624976"},{"id":624977,"title":"Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-02","url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-02.jpg","link":"https://gizchina.it/?attachment_id=624977","alt":"Apple AirTag 2","description":"","caption":"Credits: Apple","mime":"image/jpeg","type":"image","width":591,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":150,"width":150,"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-02-150×150.jpg","orientation":"landscape"},"medium":{"height":300,"width":246,"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-02-246×300.jpg","orientation":"portrait"},"full":{"url":"https://gizchina.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apple-AirTag-Find-My-Precision-Finding-02.jpg","height":720,"width":591,"orientation":"portrait"}},"imageMeta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]},"meta":false,"postlink":"https://gizchina.it/?attachment_id=624977"}]}

The watch display will show directional cues and real-time distance metrics, making the search much more immediate and natural.

This is a notable step forward compared with the previous generation, where the watch was limited to much more basic functions, often forcing users to resort to the smartphone for precision finding in the last meters.

Finally, there is a renewed focus on sustainability. The device is built with 85% recycled plastic and uses 100% recycled rare earth elements in the magnets.

Location sharing and security

On the software side, the new AirTag benefits from the latest iOS updates, particularly the feature “Share Item Location“.

This feature was designed for travelers: it allows users to temporarily and securely share the location of their luggage with trusted third parties, such as airlines. Apple has struck deals with over 50 airlines to integrate this system into their customer services.

According to data provided by SITA and cited by Apple, the use of this technology has already reduced delays in bag return by 26% and dramatically decreased cases of irrecoverable baggage.

… [continued gallery blocks and related content remain as in the original, with any Italian captions translated to English where appropriate]

Security and privacy remain core pillars. The device is designed exclusively to track objects and not people.

Apple has implemented protections against unwanted tracking, including cross-platform alerts and Bluetooth identifiers that frequently change.

All location data is end-to-end encrypted and no history is stored physically on the device.

Price and compatibility

Despite the notable internal improvements, Apple has opted for an aggressive market positioning strategy. The price of the new AirTag remains unchanged from its predecessor: €35 for a single tag and €119 for a four-pack.

Good news for consumers also comes in the physical design: maintaining the same form factor, the new model is perfectly compatible with all existing accessories, such as keyrings and straps purchased for the first generation.

To use the new tracker you need a device updated to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, while advanced features on Apple Watch require watchOS 26.2.1.

With these prerequisites, AirTag 2 is set to become the essential accessory for anyone who wants to keep their belongings safe, enhancing everything that made the first model famous.