Next-Level Precision: Apple Launches 2nd-Gen AirTag With Improved Range and Sound

Next-Level Precision: Apple Launches 2nd-Gen AirTag With Improved Range and Sound

Introduction

Apple has unveiled its second-generation AirTag, marking a major upgrade to its popular Bluetooth item tracker first introduced in 2021. The new AirTag focuses on enhanced tracking performance through improved Precision Finding, an expanded Bluetooth range, a louder speaker, deeper Apple Watch integration, and refined Find My features — all while keeping the familiar design and pricing unchanged.

For users who lose keys, wallets, bags, or other everyday essentials, this second-generation AirTag aims to make locating items easier and more reliable than ever before.

What’s New in the Second-Generation AirTag?

The new AirTag retains its compact circular shape and lightweight construction, but Apple has packed significant internal upgrades into the familiar exterior.

Instead of simply repeating older features, the device now offers:

• A second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for greater Precision Finding range.
• A more powerful Bluetooth connection that improves tracking distance.
• A speaker that’s 50% louder, making sound cues easier to hear.
• Support for Precision Finding directly on Apple Watch.

These upgrades collectively make the AirTag more effective at locating lost items — especially in bigger spaces or noisier environments.

Improved Precision Finding Technology

Second-Generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) Chip

At the heart of the second-gen AirTag is Apple’s new Ultra Wideband chip, the same advanced technology found in the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models.

This chip enables Precision Finding with more accurate direction and distance information. Apple claims that the AirTag can now guide users to lost items up to 50% farther away compared to the previous generation.

Precision Finding combines visual cues (on-screen arrows and distance indicators on a device), haptic feedback, and audio signals to help guide users precisely to their lost items.

Longer Precision Finding Range

The extended Precision Finding range means you can locate your AirTag-tagged items from farther away — whether they’re in another room, under furniture, or tucked inside a bag.

Where earlier models might only work effectively within a limited indoor range, the second-generation AirTag expands that effective distance by about 50%, greatly improving the chances of finding misplaced items quickly.

Louder Speaker for Faster Tracking

50% Louder Sound Output

One of the most noticeable upgrades in the AirTag is its built-in speaker, which Apple says is 50% louder than the first generation.

This louder alert sound makes it easier to locate your AirTag, even in noisy places like cafés or crowded streets. The louder speaker provides a clear and distinctive chime that stands out, helping you identify the device’s location via audio cues.

The change is especially helpful when items are hidden under cushions, inside bags, or buried among other belongings — situations where softer sounds might be missed.

Enhanced Bluetooth Connectivity

Alongside the upgraded UWB chip, the AirTag also benefits from a more powerful Bluetooth radio that broadens its detectable range.

This means your device can connect with the AirTag through Bluetooth from a greater distance than before, improving the Find My network’s ability to locate your items — whether they’re indoors or outdoors.

A stronger Bluetooth signal increases the likelihood of capturing the AirTag’s location quickly when using the Find My app on an iPhone, iPad, or other compatible Apple device.

Apple Watch Support: A Big Upgrade

For the first time, Apple enables Precision Finding directly on the Apple Watch (Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later).

This means users don’t need to pull out their iPhones to start locating items. Instead, Precision Finding can show visual cues and haptic feedback directly on the wrist — a convenient way to track down lost AirTag items quickly.

This Watch-based support makes the AirTag more useful for daily life, especially when you’re moving quickly or trying to find something while walking around.

Find My Network & Location Sharing

The AirTag still relies on Apple’s powerful Find My network, which uses millions of Apple devices around the world to anonymously help locate lost items.

If your AirTag is out of direct Bluetooth range, it can still connect to nearby Apple devices that relay its location back to you — all while maintaining privacy through encryption and anonymization.

Share Item Location Feature

The new AirTag also supports Apple’s Share Item Location feature, which lets you temporarily share your AirTag’s location with trusted contacts or partners like airline services to help retrieve lost luggage.

Airlines participating in this system can assist in finding delayed or misplaced baggage more efficiently — a helpful benefit for travelers.

Design, Battery Life & Sustainability

While the second-generation AirTag keeps the same iconic shape and size as the original, the internal design has been optimized for performance.

The AirTag uses the familiar CR2032 coin-cell battery, which Apple says lasts more than one year — unchanged from the earlier version.

Apple continues its environmental efforts by using recycled materials in construction and packaging, aligning with its sustainability goals.

Compatibility Requirements

To take full advantage of all the new AirTag features, including improved Precision Finding and Apple Watch support, you’ll need:

• An iPhone running iOS 26 or later.
• An Apple Watch running watchOS 26.2.1 or later for wrist-based Precision Finding.

Older Apple devices may still track the AirTag via Bluetooth and Find My, but won’t support the advanced Precision Finding features.

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Price and Availability

Apple has kept the pricing of the second-generation AirTag the same as before:

• Single AirTag: ₹3,790 in India (or $29 in the U.S.).
• Four-pack: ₹12,900 in India (or $99 in the U.S.).

The AirTag 2 is available now online, through the Apple Store app, and in retail stores, with free engraving options available when purchased through Apple’s platforms.

AirTag First Gen vs Second Gen: Key Differences

Feature	First Gen AirTag	Second-Gen AirTag
Precision Finding Range	Standard	~50% farther
Speaker Volume	Standard	~50% louder
Bluetooth Range	Standard	Extended
Apple Watch Precision Support	No	Yes (Series 9+)
Share Item Location	Basic	Enhanced

Who Should Buy the New AirTag?

The second-generation AirTag is ideal for:

• People who frequently misplace items like keys, wallets, or bags.
• Travelers who want easier luggage tracking with Share Item Location.
• Users who own newer Apple devices and want Apple Watch-based Precision Finding.
• Anyone who wants better sound alerts and broader Bluetooth range.

Final Verdict

Apple’s second-generation AirTag brings meaningful improvements in tracking performance, audio alerts, and wearable integration — all while maintaining the familiar design and pricing that made the original popular.

If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem or frequently lose your belongings, this upgraded AirTag offers a noticeably better experience that’s worth considering.