Apple AirTag 2 Finally Fixes Major Range Issues

After four years in the market, Apple's AirTag is finally getting a successor that tackles real user pain points. The next-generation tracker is expected to arrive later this month, according to 9to5Mac, and it marks Apple's biggest update to its item-tracking ecosystem since the original launch. Not a revolution. A focused tune-up that hits where daily use hurts.

What's actually changing under the hood?

AirTag 2 will not reinvent the wheel, it will make that wheel spin better where it counts. The headline upgrade is a next-generation Ultra Wideband chip that dramatically expands tracking range, potentially tripling Precision Finding from roughly 10 to 30 meters today to about 30 to 90 meters. The same class of chip first appeared in the iPhone 15 lineup, and it could extend tracking capabilities up to 200 feet, a change that reshapes how you hunt for lost stuff across bigger spaces.

Think real life. Keys across a sprawling parking lot. A backpack somewhere in that echoing airport terminal. Gear tucked in a warehouse-sized storage room. With stronger UWB, the iPhone's Precision Finding gets snappier and more directional, so you are following a confident arrow instead of a vague Bluetooth bubble. Faster, clearer, less wandering in circles.

Apple is also going after long-standing privacy concerns. The internal speaker is being redesigned so it is much harder to remove or tamper with, a response to the privacy issues that have plagued AirTags since launch. It is louder than the current version, which helps when something is wedged under a couch or buried at the bottom of a tote.

Design philosophy: if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Apple is keeping the look familiar. Mark Gurman reported that the product will look similar to the current model, the same coin-shaped puck most people know. That choice has perks. Current accessories like keychain holders will likely remain compatible, so your favorite holder probably does not have to retire.

The size sticks to a proven balance, small enough for wallets and bags, large enough to keep the hardware reliable and findable. Power stays simple too. The device keeps the replaceable CR2032 battery system with about a year of use, and better internals might stretch that a bit. Some people wanted rechargeable, but Apple isn't expected to make that switch. Global availability of CR2032 cells is the point, no cables, no dock, no drama.

The bigger picture: ecosystem integration and timing

AirTag 2 shows up right as Apple pushes deeper into spatial computing. It will slide into the existing Find My network and may offer enhanced compatibility with Apple's Vision Pro headset. Imagine wearing Vision Pro and seeing markers pinned to the exact 3D spot of your tagged items, not just a dot on a map but a tag on your coffee table, your suitcase, your bike in the garage.

Manufacturing tests with Apple's Asian partners are reportedly underway, with production moving forward as planned. The timing lines up with broader ecosystem updates. Pricing isn't expected to change significantly from the current $29 individual or $99 four-pack, though the upgrades could nudge it slightly.

Bottom line: evolution over revolution

AirTag 2 reads like a mature refresh, not a flashy reboot. The expanded range tackles the most common gripe about the original. The tougher, louder speaker addresses real safety concerns that showed up over four years in the wild. The upgrades are particularly welcome for new users, since they skip early limitations and jump straight to the better version.

If you already own AirTags, the question is simple. Do you often track things across large spaces, and has the original range felt short? If yes, the value is clear. If not, existing devices continue to work perfectly well within their limits, so upgrading can wait.

For anyone new to item tracking, or for people juggling belongings across big environments, AirTag 2 looks like the sweet spot. Apple's massive Find My network, better hardware, and deeper ecosystem hooks add up to a package rivals struggle to match, even if the price sits above basic Bluetooth tags. If I were constantly chasing keys in stadium lots or luggage in cavernous terminals, I would make the jump.