Apple has released its next generation of AirTag that makes tracking belongings even easier with more powerful Precision Finding, a longer Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker.
Here, I’ve broken down some of the AirTag’s newest and improved features.
Second-generation UWB and extended finding range
The new AirTag is built around Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, shared with the latest iPhone 17 lineup and current Apple Watch models. This significantly improves Precision Finding performance, extending the effective guidance range by up to 50% compared to the original AirTag. Combined haptic, visual, and audio cues allow for more accurate short-range location tracking, while an upgraded Bluetooth radio increases general detection range. Notably, Precision Finding is now supported directly on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, enabling wrist-based item tracking without needing an iPhone nearby.
Redesigned acoustics and improved audible alerts
Internally, the AirTag has been redesigned to accommodate a more powerful speaker system. Apple claims the new AirTag is 50% louder than the previous generation and can be heard from up to twice the distance. This improvement targets real-world use cases where items are obscured – under furniture, inside bags, or between cushions – and is complemented by a newly designed chime that is easier to distinguish from ambient noise.
Find My Network and crowdsourced location reporting
Like its predecessor, AirTag relies heavily on Apple’s Find My network – a large, crowdsourced mesh of Apple devices using Bluetooth to detect nearby AirTags and anonymously relay their approximate location. The new model continues this approach, with end-to-end encrypted communication and no persistent location storage on the AirTag itself. Location updates are only visible to the owner, and even Apple cannot see which devices contributed to locating a lost item.
Share Item Location and airline integration
The new AirTag tightly integrates with the iOS Share Item Location feature, allowing users to temporarily share an AirTag’s location with trusted third parties. A key real-world application is airline baggage recovery: Apple has partnered with more than 50 airlines to securely accept location-sharing links. According to airline IT provider SITA, this capability has reduced baggage delays by 26% and cut “truly lost” luggage incidents by 90%. Shared access is time-limited, revocable at any moment, and automatically expires after seven days.
Sustainability and hardware continuity
From a hardware and manufacturing perspective, the new AirTag incorporates a high percentage of recycled materials: 85% recycled plastic in the enclosure, 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and 100% recycled gold plating in Apple-designed PCBs. Packaging is fully fibre-based and recyclable. Importantly for accessory ecosystems, the AirTag retains the original form factor, ensuring full compatibility with existing accessories such as key rings and holders.
Pricing and availability
Despite the internal upgrades, Apple has kept pricing unchanged at $29 for a single AirTag or $99 for a four-pack, with optional free engraving. From a value perspective, this positions the new AirTag as a drop-in upgrade rather than a premium refresh.
