AirTag 2 vs AirTag: Apple's 5-Year Update Brings Precision Finding, Louder Sound, and Privacy Upgrades

Apple has finally unveiled the AirTag 2, its first major update to the item-tracking accessory since its 2021 debut. The new model arrives five years later with several notable improvements while maintaining the same $29 price point and familiar design.

Precision Finding Gets a Major Boost

The most significant upgrade comes to Precision Finding, Apple's feature that helps users locate lost items using their iPhone's Ultra Wideband technology. The AirTag 2 incorporates a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that extends the Precision Finding range by up to 1.5x compared to the original model.

This means you'll be able to initiate Precision Finding from farther away when you've misplaced your keys, wallet, or other tagged items. The feature combines haptic feedback, visual cues on your iPhone screen, and audio signals to guide you directly to your lost AirTag.

Apple Watch Support Finally Arrives

Perhaps the most requested feature addition is Apple Watch compatibility. For the first time, owners of compatible Apple Watch models can use Precision Finding to track down their AirTag 2 directly from their wrist. This functionality was notably absent from the original AirTag, requiring users to pull out their iPhone even when their Watch was readily available.

Enhanced Connectivity and Audio

The new AirTag 2 features an upgraded Bluetooth chip that Apple claims "expands the range at which items can be located." While the company hasn't specified exact range improvements, the enhanced Bluetooth should provide more reliable connections in various environments.

Audio improvements are equally impressive. The AirTag 2's speaker is up to 50% louder than the original, and Apple states you'll be able to hear it from up to twice as far away. This addresses one of the most common complaints about the first-generation AirTag—difficulty hearing its ping in noisy environments or from a distance.

New Privacy Protections

AirTag 2 introduces several industry-first privacy protections designed to combat unwanted tracking, a problem that plagued the original model. Apple has implemented cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently to make it harder for bad actors to use AirTags for stalking or surveillance.

These privacy enhancements build upon the software updates Apple has rolled out over the past five years to address tracking concerns, but now come baked into the hardware itself.

What Stays the Same

Despite the upgrades, Apple has kept several aspects consistent with the original AirTag:

• Battery life: Both models offer "more than a year" of use before battery replacement is needed
• Design and size: The new AirTag maintains the same compact form factor
• Price: $29 for a single unit, $99 for a 4-pack
• Accessory compatibility: Existing AirTag accessories work with the new model

The unchanged design means you can continue using your favorite accessories, including specialized options like the Elevation Lab TimeCapsule, which offers extended battery life of 5-10 years depending on the model.

Should You Upgrade?

The AirTag 2 represents a solid evolution rather than a revolutionary change. The Precision Finding improvements, Apple Watch support, and louder speaker are meaningful upgrades for most users, especially those who frequently use their AirTags in challenging environments.

The privacy enhancements are particularly noteworthy given the tracking concerns that emerged with the original model. However, if you're satisfied with your current AirTag's performance and don't need the extended range or Apple Watch support, the original model remains a capable tracker.

For new buyers, the AirTag 2 is clearly the better choice, offering improved functionality across the board without any price increase. The question for existing AirTag owners is whether the specific improvements—particularly the 1.5x Precision Finding range and Apple Watch support—justify the upgrade cost.

What do you think about the AirTag 2 upgrades? Are you planning to upgrade, or are you sticking with your original AirTag? Let us know in the comments.