Apple introduced a new version of its AirTag item tracker, adding a longer connectivity range, louder speaker and improved Precision Finding, as competition intensifies in the smart tracking accessories market.
The new AirTag builds on the original device launched in 2021 and is designed to help users locate everyday items such as keys, bags and luggage using Apple’s Find My app. Apple said the updated AirTag offers up to 50 per cent greater Precision Finding range, alongside improved Bluetooth connectivity and audio alerts.
Despite the hardware upgrades, pricing remains unchanged at US$29 for a single AirTag and US$99 for a four-pack, with free personalised engraving available through Apple’s online store and app.
Ultra Wideband Upgrade And Precision Finding
The latest AirTag is powered by Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, the same technology used in recent iPhone and Apple Watch models. Apple said this enables more accurate location guidance using a combination of haptic, visual and audio cues.
Users can now locate items from significantly farther away than before, while an upgraded Bluetooth chip extends the range at which nearby devices can detect the AirTag. For the first time, Precision Finding is also available on supported Apple Watch models, allowing users to track items directly from their wrist.
Apple added that the internal redesign has resulted in a speaker that is 50 per cent louder than the previous generation, making it easier to hear an AirTag in noisy or cluttered environments.
Find My Network And Airline Partnerships
AirTag continues to rely on the Find My network, a crowdsourced system of Apple devices that can anonymously relay the location of a lost item back to its owner. Location data is end-to-end encrypted, and Apple said it cannot see the identity or location of any participating devices.
The new AirTag also integrates with Share Item Location, an iOS feature that allows users to temporarily share the location of a misplaced item with trusted third parties, including airlines. Apple said it has partnered with more than 50 airlines globally to support the feature.
According to airline IT provider SITA, carriers using shared location links have reported a 26 per cent reduction in baggage delays and a 90 per cent drop in cases of unrecoverable luggage, Apple said.
Privacy, Security And Sustainability
Apple said the new AirTag includes industry-leading protections against unwanted tracking, such as cross-platform alerts and rotating Bluetooth identifiers. The device is designed exclusively for tracking objects, not people or pets.
In line with Apple’s environmental goals, the AirTag enclosure uses 85 per cent recycled plastic, with recycled rare earth elements in magnets and recycled gold plating on circuit boards. Packaging is fully fibre-based, and the device retains the same form factor as earlier models, ensuring compatibility with existing accessories.
The new AirTag is available to order now via Apple’s website and app, with in-store availability rolling out later this week through Apple Stores and authorised resellers. The device requires iOS 26 or later and supports selected Apple Watch models running watchOS 26.2.1.
