Apple is rolling out a new generation of AirTag, and while the design stays the same, the internals get a meaningful upgrade.
Announced Monday, the updated AirTag features a longer Bluetooth range, a much louder speaker, and improved Precision Finding, thanks to Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. The same chip powers Apple’s latest devices, including the iPhone 17 lineup and newer Apple Watches.
With Precision Finding, users already get visual, haptic, and audio cues to guide them to a lost item. Apple says those capabilities now work up to 50% farther than before, making it easier to track items across larger spaces like airports, parking garages, or busy homes.
The upgraded Bluetooth chip also helps extend the detection range, while the speaker is now 50% louder, meaning you can hear the AirTag’s beep from up to twice the distance compared to the previous generation.
Another practical upgrade: Precision Finding is now accessible from Apple Watch, starting with Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 2 and newer. No iPhone required to get directional guidance.
Built for sharing (and travel)
The new AirTag also supports Share Item Location, an iOS feature that lets users temporarily share an AirTag’s location with third parties. This is especially useful for travel, as 50 airlines now partner with Apple to support luggage tracking through Find My.
Despite the upgrades, Apple isn’t changing the price:
- $29 for a single AirTag
- $99 for a four-pack
Free personalized engraving remains included.
First launched in 2021, AirTag quickly became the default Bluetooth tracker for iPhone users. Its instant access to Apple’s massive Find My network helped it leapfrog competitors like Tile, while others, such as Chipolo, chose to integrate with Apple’s ecosystem instead of fighting it.
That strategy has paid off. While Apple doesn’t disclose AirTag sales, third-party estimates suggest nearly 70% of all trackers sold in late 2024 were AirTags.