AirTags have been very popular since they were first released in 2021 because they’re small, useful, and work with Apple’s Find My network. Now, 5 years later, Apple has released the AirTag 2. One of Apple’s quietest but most impressive updates to its current product lineup though and you already have an AirTag, you might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading.
The short answer is a limited, yes. Maybe.
Flying Saucers
Apple clearly decided that the original AirTag was popular and functional enough that they didn’t want to change the look or design, at least not on the outside. The AirTag 2 has the same dimensions with a UFO shape and quite easily scratched metallic cover. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t make the AirTag in any other color than white and you’ll have to look very closely to be able to tell the AirTag 1 apart from the AirTag 2. The only difference visually is the uppercase lettering on the AirTag 2 which no longer says “designed in California, assembled in China”.
The AirTag 2 is .8 grams and uses the same CR 2032 battery with the same battery life of around one year.
More Ultra
AirTags have an Ultra wide-band chip in them which, in the AirTag 1, is what gives you the ability to be able to visually track them when you’re within about 10 meters or 30 feet. The AirTag 2 now has the next generation ultra wide ban- chip that Apple claims has quote, “up to 50% greater” Precision Finding range, which should be about 15 meters or 50 feet of range. You can see in this video here the results of my own testing.
The AirTag 1 had a magnet that was just enough to hold its weight but gave me no confidence it would stick if there was any movement. The AirTag 2 however has a solid lock to metallic surfaces and feels like it wouldn’t fall off, even with some firm shaking.
Time To Upgrade?
Apple hasn’t made any concrete promises about how much extra Bluetooth range the AirTag 2 has compared to the first generation, it should give you more range and in outdoor areas could be 50-60 meters versus 10-12, a huge jump. And that’s important because Bluetooth is what AirTags use to quietly talk with all of the Apple devices around them. It’s this communication that lets you see where they are through the Find My App.
The AirTag 2 is the same price as the AirTag 1, $29 for one or $99 for a 4 pack and Apple stores have pretty much run out of their remaining AirTag 1 stock, so AirTag 2 is it. For those of you already using AirTags, I wouldn’t replace all of them. The AirTag 2 is a great upgrade but not so much you have to go out and replace your current AirTags. Unless you have one really valuable or important item you want to be able to track to the best of Apple’s ability, then it might be worth upgrading just those AirTags – though in some cases a Ridge Tracker Card may be better.
