Apple has launched a new version of its AirTag tracker, featuring a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for 50 percent better range and a louder speaker. The update enables Precision Finding on compatible Apple Watches for the first time. Priced the same as before, the device is available now online.
Apple introduced the second-generation AirTag on January 26, 2026, marking the first major hardware upgrade since the original's debut in 2021. The new model incorporates Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, the same technology found in recent devices like the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Ultra 2 and later. This upgrade allows Precision Finding in the Find My app to locate attached items up to 50 percent farther away than before. Additionally, the speaker is 50 percent louder, enabling users to hear the chime from up to twice the previous distance, and it includes a distinctive new sound alert. For the first time, Precision Finding is supported on Apple Watch Series 9 and later models, as well as Ultra 2 and later, eliminating the need to pull out an iPhone in many scenarios. Previously, Apple Watch users could only play a sound or use Maps directions to find AirTags. The design remains unchanged, including the lack of a built-in keyring hole, requiring cases for attachment. Apple emphasizes the device's security features, such as encryption to prevent unauthorized tracking, addressing past concerns about stalking that arose after the 2021 launch. The company has also partnered with airlines, allowing temporary location sharing to reunite passengers with lost luggage; a 2025 report noted a 90 percent drop in permanently lost bags due to such integrations. To support the new AirTag, Apple released software updates: iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1 for iPhones and iPads, and WatchOS 26.2.1 for watches, all providing compatibility along with bug fixes. Older iOS versions received separate security updates. Priced at $29 for a single unit or $99 for a four-pack, the new AirTag is available for order on Apple's website, with physical stores stocking it later in the week. Free engraving is offered for personalization. The first-generation model remains useful and often discounted, though the new version replaces it directly.
