AirTag 2 vs. AirTag 1: Louder, Faster, Smarter?
Apple just released the new AirTag 2. It costs the same as the old one: $29 for one tag or $99 for four. The old AirTags are still on sale at lower prices, like $28 each or $79 for a pack of four at Best Buy. Both help you find lost keys, bags, or wallets using your iPhone. But the AirTag 2 has some nice upgrades. Let’s compare them step by step.
Both AirTags look exactly the same from the outside.
The AirTag 2 might look identical, but the insides tell a totally different story. A new teardown reveals the hidden changes Apple made under the hood:
Tamper-resistant speaker (huge anti-stalking win)
New chime pitch (Note F to G)
Thinner PCB & new layout
U2 Chip confirmed… pic.twitter.com/ltrQIEr0b0— Wasim Anjum (@wasimanjum) January 29, 2026
They’re small, round, and white. They fit in the same holders or keychains you already have. The only difference is the writing around the edge. The old one has small letters saying “Designed by Apple in California” and “Assembled in China.” The new AirTag 2 has big letters saying “NFC,” “FIND MY,” and that it’s water- and dust-proof (IP67 rating). No big change here—easy to swap if you want.
This is where the AirTag 2 shines.
AirTag 2 is out. Tested + tore one down.
What changed:
• ~50–60m Precision Finding range
• Much louder speaker
• Speaker is now bonded (can’t remove it)
• Share with up to 5 people
• Precision Finding on Apple WatchWhat didn’t:
• Still 32 / Apple ID
• No location… pic.twitter.com/kSoPDuIqzm— AirPinpoint (@airpinpoint) January 28, 2026
It has a newer Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, like in the iPhone 17. This lets you find it from farther away—up to 50% more distance than the old one. Your iPhone or Apple Watch shows arrows, vibrations, and sounds to guide you right to it. That’s called Precision Finding. The speaker inside is also 50% louder, so you hear it better, even in a noisy room or car. Plus, a better Bluetooth chip means your phone picks up the signal from longer range. If you’ve ever struggled to find your old AirTag in a big house, this fixes that.
The AirTag 2 works better with Apple’s Find My app. You can share its location with friends or family—like with 30 airlines now (twice as many as before). This helps if someone else needs to spot your bag at the airport. You can even use Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or newer—no need to grab your phone. Safety is stronger too. It doesn’t store location info on the tag itself. Everything uses secret end-to-end encryption, so only you see where it is. Apple fixed old worries about people using AirTags to stalk others.
One catch: You need iOS 26 on your iPhone to use the full new features. If you haven’t updated yet, the old AirTag might be better for now. Both use the same small battery that lasts about a year. They’re tough against water and dust. The huge Apple network of iPhones nearby helps track them anywhere in the world—that hasn’t changed.
If your old AirTags are working well, you can keep using them. They are cheaper now and still do their job. But if you are buying new ones, AirTag 2 is a better choice. It has a louder sound, works from a longer distance, and also supports Apple Watch, which makes finding things easier.
The public reaction on Twitter to the AirTag 2 announcement shows a mix of relief and cautious optimism.
Apple finally innovating… under the hood. WAGMI for privacy.
— Chain Alpha (@Chain_AlphaX) January 29, 2026
One user joked that Apple is “finally innovating… under the hood,” suggesting that while the product looks the same on the outside, the real improvements are on the inside, like better chips and smoother performance, not in how the product looks or its design. The phrase “WAGMI for privacy” reflects approval of Apple’s stronger focus on privacy, implying that users feel Apple is moving in the right direction by improving safety and anti-tracking measures.
It’s not a big upgrade like getting a new iPhone, but it does help you lose things less often. It’s especially useful for busy parents, travelers, or anyone who forgets things easily.
