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Apple's AirTags have long been the best key finder for iPhone users, but the company hadn't released a new model until this past week. The next generation of its AirTag, which some have christened the AirTag 2 (although Apple doesn't use that title.), finally launched, and at the same price as the original.
It would be easy to think that both tags would, realistically, do the same thing. However, while the tags might look very similar, Apple has included some much-needed hardware improvements. That being said, there are a few things you'll want to consider before ditching your first-generation AirTags. Let's break down everything we know about the two devices to find out what each offers and which would be the ideal choice for you.
AirTag vs AirTag 2: Price
Apple's AirTags tend to cost $29 for a single tag and $99 for a pack of four. Fortunately, Apple is charging the same price for the second-gen AirTags. While it has stopped selling the original AirTag, you can still find them for sale (until supplies last) at other retailers, where they're discounted. For example, Best Buy is offering a single first-gen AirTag for $27.99, and a pack of four for $79.
AirTag vs AirTag 2: Design
From a design standpoint, both the AirTag and the AirTag 2 look the same on the surface. It also means that the second generation of tags will fit in the same places that your current ones do.
There is one noticeable difference between the two tags, namely the writing on the tags. On the AirTag 2s, the writing inscribed around the edge is in capital letters, and mentions "NFC," "FIND MY," and notes the IP67 water and dust resistance. Meanwhile, if you look at the current Apple AirTags, you note that the text is written in lowercase, and also note that the tags are "Designed by Apple in California," and "Assembled in China."
AirTag vs AirTag 2: range and findability
The biggest reason to buy an Apple AirTag is to, of course, keep track of your items. With that in mind, the AirTag 2 comes with a noticeable improvement in the form of the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the same found in the iPhone 17. This new chip makes it much easier to find the tag when you need to.
The AirTag 2 utilizes Haptic, visual and audio feedback with its new Precision Finding, which will help users to better track lost items up to 50% further away when compared to the current AirTags. On top of that, the AirTag 2's speaker is also 50% louder than the current AirTag. Meanwhile, an upgraded Bluetooth chip expands the overall range at which your phone or Apple Watch can pick up the signal.
AirTag vs AirTag 2: Find my Network and Share Item location
Apple has worked to expand the functionality of its new AirTag beyond just new hardware. This includes building on features like Share item location, which can be used to help users find an item by sharing its location with trusted third parties.
The AirTag 2 is also the first to allow you to tap into Precision Finding on the Apple Watch Series 9 or later, so you can do it all from your wrist. This is arguably one of the biggest improvements in terms of usability, as you don't have to pull out your phone while you're rushing around looking for your missing item.
Apple has also improved the security features on the new AirTag. The new tracker doesn't physically store location data or history on connected devices and utilizes end-to-end encryption for all communication with the Find My network. As such, only the owner of the device will have access to all the location data.
That being said, there are some limitations on which phones can actually use the new AirTags. For one, you will need to have iOS 26 installed on your phone, which could be a turn-off for many users who still don't want Apple's latest update.
AirTag vs AirTag 2: Should you upgrade?
While updating the AirTag might not be quite as exciting as seeing a new phone like the iPhone 18 Pro, it's a change that many users will appreciate. While the current AirTags are still perfectly viable, the updated design and features mean that there's little reason not to update when you can. With that being said, the limitation of requiring iOS 26 could make this a harder sell for some people.
Our advice? Keep on using your current AirTags if they're still working well, but pick up second-generation models if you need to buy new ones.
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