Apple simply launched the brand new AirTag 2, which provides louder audio and longer-distance Precision Finding to our decide for the best Bluetooth tracker. But it’s in any other case the identical small circle that launched again in 2021, which begs the query: Do you even want the brand new one?
Fortunately, I’ve been attaching AirTags to my stuff for years and am right here to interrupt down each main distinction between the first- and second-gen fashions to assist make that call simpler. Whether you’re becoming a member of the AirTag world for the primary time or want to decide up a number of further AirTags in your baggage, keys or different belongings, right here’s how Apple’s two trackers stack up.
The unique AirTag is our longtime favourite Bluetooth tracker, which lets you use your iPhone to simply monitor down any connected belongings.
The latest AirTag provides longer-range Precision Finding and a louder speaker that ought to make it even simpler to search out.
| Processor |
Apple U1 |
Apple U2 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker |
Built-in speaker |
Built-in speaker (50% louder than AirTag) |
| Precision Finding |
Yes |
Yes (works from as much as 50% farther than AirTag) |
| Water and dirt resistance |
IP67 |
IP67 |
| Battery |
CR2032, replaceable |
CR2032, replaceable |
| Size and weight |
1.26 x 0.31 in., 0.39 oz |
1.26 x 0.31 in., 0.42 oz |
In phrases of primary design and performance, not a lot has modified for the AirTag: It’s nonetheless a tiny little tracker you may throw in a bag or stick on a keychain to trace down your stuff within the occasion you misplace it. Regardless of which model you personal, you’ll use your iPhone, iPad or Mac to maintain tabs in your AirTags through the Find My app, which pings close by Apple gadgets to present you an correct studying of your tracker’s location. That stated, there are a number of notable perks for folk who make the leap to the second technology.
One of the AirTag’s most helpful options is Precision Finding, which lets people with an iPhone 11 or newer get detailed, turn-by-turn instructions to their gadget (as somebody who continuously loses my stuff inside sofa cushions and piles of garments, I exploit this characteristic usually). It’s gotten even higher with the AirTag 2, as Apple guarantees you’ll get to make use of Precision Finding from as much as 50% farther away than earlier than. We’ll should see how this declare holds up in the true world, however we’re not complaining about slightly further vary in the case of discovering that pockets that we simply had our palms on.
These perks are made potential by the AirTag 2’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which is identical one you’ll discover within the newest iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 gadgets. Apple also notes that the AirTag 2 has an upgraded Bluetooth chip that “expands the range at which items can be located,” although the corporate doesn’t specify precisely how for much longer that vary is.
On high of providing longer-range monitoring, the AirTag 2 can be louder than earlier than. Apple says that the tracker’s upgraded speaker is 50% louder than its predecessor’s and might be heard as much as twice as distant as earlier than. We seen the distinction fairly rapidly in early testing; when evaluating every AirTag’s chime side-by-side, the brand new mannequin’s is noticeably louder and likewise at a a lot greater and extra distinct pitch. We additionally examined each chimes from about 50 toes away in an condo constructing with every AirTag behind a closed door, and whereas we couldn’t hear the previous mannequin in any respect at this distance, we may hear the brand new one simply nice.
I’ve discovered the first-gen AirTag’s speaker to be completely loud sufficient to search out stuff round my condo, however I’m pleased to have a brand new mannequin that’s even simpler to listen to. Combined with the AirTag 2’s enhanced precision discovering, the louder speaker may make Apple’s tracker that rather more very important when you misplace one thing in a loud or public area.
The excellent news is that AirTags are getting some good software program upgrades no matter which mannequin you personal. Apple’s Precision Finding characteristic is now accessible for the Apple Watch Series 9 or newer in addition to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or newer, offering a handy new approach so that you can get detailed instructions to your belongings with out having to drag out your telephone. Apple additionally continues to construct the Share Item Location characteristic, which helps you to share your AirTag’s location with choose third-parties (similar to airways) with the intention to get help discovering your stuff. The firm has partnered with greater than 50 airways, together with United and Virgin Atlantic, and the characteristic is out there to anybody with an iPhone XS or newer operating iOS 18.2 or greater.
Both fashions of the AirTag additionally characteristic just about the identical dimensions, so you may proceed to make use of your favourite AirTag keychain, do you have to select to improve.
The AirTag 2 is a stable however delicate refinement of probably the greatest Bluetooth trackers you should purchase, and it looks as if a very good match for anybody who finds the unique AirTag’s speaker or Bluetooth vary to be missing. As somebody who makes use of AirTags to trace my pockets, keys, Nintendo Switch 2 and even my canine’s harness, I discover you could by no means have too a lot of this stuff. So when you’re wanting so as to add to your AirTag assortment, it might’t harm to have the latest, most succesful mannequin.
That stated, if you are able to do with out the AirTag 2’s new bells and whistles, the first-gen mannequin is sort of all the time on sale. As of this writing, you will get a four-pack of the original AirTag on Amazon for $69, which is $30 lower than shopping for the brand new four-pack at full worth. Discounts on single AirTags aren’t as vital, however you will discover the older ones for a few bucks off. If you’re inquisitive about Apple’s trackers or just wish to get monetary savings, I can confidently advocate getting the unique mannequin on sale earlier than they’re gone for good. We’ll be placing the AirTags 2 by means of their paces to see if the upgraded options are value the additional money, so keep tuned for extra.
Yep! Both generations of AirTag have just about the identical dimensions, so most keychains and holders will work simply nice.
The AirTag 2 and AirTag technically have the identical $29 retail worth, although the first-gen mannequin is often on sale at third-party retailers.
We’ll should spend extra time testing them towards each other, however the AirTag 2 guarantees longer-distance Precision Finding and has a more recent Bluetooth chip that would allow extra correct monitoring.
NCS Underscored has a crew of expert writers and editors who’ve a few years of expertise testing, researching and recommending merchandise, and we guarantee every article is fastidiously edited and merchandise are correctly vetted. We speak to high specialists when related to make sure our product testing is correct as we communicate to the professionals and cons of every merchandise.
NCS Underscored senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been writing product reviews of tech devices for greater than a decade, and he has examined just about each Apple product launched through the years. He’s wanting ahead to having much more AirTags to trace his ever-elusive on a regular basis belongings.