Apple’s New Device: A ‘Game Changer’ for the Forgetful

The most important update to the device is the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip and an

upgraded Bluetooth chip. This Ultra Wideband chip is the same chip used across Apple’s current iPhone and Apple Watch lineup (excluding SE models), and it matters because it increases the distance at which you can precisely find your lost item significantly. Plus, now you can get precision finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or newer and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is great if you have also lost your phone.

In a side-by-side test, I put an original AirTag and an AirTag 2 in a box and placed them in the most wirelessly congested part of my apartment. I then walked to my front door (opposite corner, around a hallway), and was surprised not just by how much better the range is on the AirTag 2, but how poor it is on the original AirTag. From that vantage point, I couldn’t connect to the original AirTag at all, and the AirTag 2 connected quickly. The AirTag 2 then tried to get me to walk through the wall in the opposite direction from where it was actually located, and didn’t course correct until I was 7m away. Meanwhile, the original AirTag didn’t connect at all until I was 5.2m away, and then I was able to backtrack and get further away while remaining connected.

Of course, things like connection distance will depend on the wireless environment (more wireless signals mean it’s harder for a device to connect over longer distances), and how many physical barriers are in the way. But this was a testament to the improved strength of the AirTag 2.

Now, imagine your suitcase has fallen off the luggage truck on the way to the airport, you’re going to appreciate that extra distance so there’s more chance of your bag showing up on the map next time another driver goes past. Same goes for if you have a toddler (or dog) who loves to hide your stuff in random places.

Because of the Find My Network, you can see the location of your AirTag on the map as long as any compatible Apple device is near it; that’s what makes it so useful. In 2024 Apple introduced the ability to temporarily share the location of your lost AirTag with a trusted person, like if you leave it at your mum’s house she can help you confirm it’s actually there before you drive all the way back, or some airlines have it set up so you can share the location of your lost luggage AirTag with them, so you can be reunited with your bag sooner. The Qantas lost baggage portal has an input for this.

The second most important update is that the speaker is louder now. In the past I’ve had problems finding my original AirTag when it’s ended up at the bottom of my “clothes that aren’t clean enough to go in the wardrobe, but aren’t dirty enough to wash yet” pile. This is not the case with the AirTag 2.

To test it in an extreme scenario, I wrapped both up in a thick, wool, super king doona on the floor and then stood 1.5m away. I could feel more than hear the sound of the original AirTag. It was so quiet I couldn’t consciously hear it, but I was aware it was ringing. Whereas thanks to the marginally louder speaker and new, higher pitch of the AirTag 2 (now a “G” note instead of “F”), I was better able to actually hear the AirTag. It was still very faint but audible.

Speaking of the speaker, it’s now a lot harder to remove. Some people remove the speaker because it puts out a warning jingle to alert people to its presence. Being able to disable the sound is helpful if you want to conceal it in something easily stealable that you want to recover without alerting the thieves to the fact that they’re being tracked (like a bike). However, it’s also something being utilised by stalkers to conceal AirTags on unsuspecting victims, which is pretty bad. Making it harder to disable the speaker is a big win for potential victims, even if it might be a little annoying for cyclists.

Of course, the AirTag is most often best when paired with an accessory to attach it to your keys or other objects. The good news is that the new model is the same size as the original, so all your old accessories will still work with the new model. My original Apple Leather key ring and Belkin Secure Holder accessories have held up extremely well with constant use for nearly five years, and there are plenty of other options out there for those buying an AirTag for the first time.

The new AirTags 2 are selling for the same price as the original AirTag ($49 for one, $165 for a four pack), and are available online and in stores now.