After five years, Apple has finally updated the AirTag, which now sees further, howls louder with the U2 chip, and works with airlines to keep your luggage from ending up in Tajikistan.
We all know that feeling., when you're standing in the middle of the living room, leash in hand, your dog looking at you like you're a complete idiot, and you're frantically searching for your car keys, which have decided to take a short vacation in the crevice between the sofa. Jeremy Clarkson would probably say that this is the moment when you'd rather burn the house down and start over. But since we're in the 21st century, Apple presented in 2021 AirTag – a small silver coin that promised you would never lose anything again. It worked, but not perfectly. Now, in 2026, it is here AirTag 2. And if the first model was like a loyal dog who occasionally forgets where he buried the bone, the new model is like Sherlock Holmes on steroids.
Under the Hood: The U2 Chip and the Power of Precision
The star of the new AirTag is the U2 Ultra Wideband chip. It's the same technology found in the latest iPhone 17 models and Apple Watch Series 9. What does this mean for you, mere mortals? It means the range of the "Precision Finding" feature is 50 times greater. Where before you had to walk around your house like a metal detector to pick up a signal, now your iPhone will detect an AirTag from the next room or even from the garden.
Here are the key numbers you need to know:
- Chip: Apple U2 (second generation Ultra Wideband).
- Precision search range: 50 % greater than the first generation.
- Speaker: 50 % louder (can be heard from twice as far away).
- Battery: CR2032 (replaceable), lasts more than 1 year.
- Resistance: IP67 standard (dust and water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes).
When AirTag actually speaks (and you hear it)
One of the biggest complaints about the first model was the beeping sound. If the AirTag was under a thick pillow or in a leather bag, you needed the hearing of a bat to hear it. Apple solved this with a new internal architecture that allows the 50 % speaker to be louder. The new tones are designed to penetrate ambient noise. Now you'll hear your keys even when your partner complains about your forgetfulness.
“In a world where Apple likes to cage everything, AirTag 2 is surprisingly open,” you might say of the new Share Item Location feature. Apple has partnered with over 50 airlines. If your luggage “accidentally” doesn’t arrive at the same destination as you, you can temporarily share the location of your AirTag directly with the airline. Data shows that the number of lost luggage has been reduced by an incredible 90% with this technology.
Ecology and design – it remains the same, but it's better
Apple is trying to be green (not out of envy, but for the planet). The new AirTag uses 85% recycled plastic in the case and 100% recycled gold in the circuit board. And best of all, the design remains exactly the same. That means you don't have to throw away those expensive Hermes key chains or rubber bands you bought on AliExpress. Everything fits.
Conclusion: Is it worth your 29 euros?
Let's be honest. The Apple AirTag 2 isn't a revolution that will change the course of human history. But it is a prime example of engineering optimization. For $29 (about €29) for a single item or $99 for a pack of four, you get peace of mind.
My personal opinion? AirTag is that thing you think you don't need, until you miss an important meeting once, because you spent 20 minutes looking for your wallet. The new model, with a longer range and a louder speaker, eliminates practically all the complaints of its predecessor. Is it a cynical way for Apple to tie us even more to itself? Of course. Is it also the most useful tech accessory you can throw in your bag? Absolutely. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, buying a four-pack is practically mandatory - even if only to hide one in the collar of your cat who thinks he's king of the neighborhood.
