Apple on Monday introduced the next version of its AirTagwhich will now feature longer Bluetooth range, louder speakers, and better precision locating capabilities. The latter is powered by Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which is also found in the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 devices.
With Precision Finding, the new AirTag can provide haptic, visual, and audio feedback to guide users to lost items. Now, its detection capabilities extend 50% further than the previous generation, Apple says. The updated Bluetooth chip, meanwhile, also helps extend its range.
In particular, with this update, Precision Finding will be accessible from Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later.
The device’s speaker is also 50% louder than the previous generation, meaning you can hear the AirTag’s beeps up to 2 times further than before.
The AirTag device will also integrate with Share Item Location, an iOS feature that allows users to temporarily share AirTag locations with third parties. Today, 50 airlines partner with Apple for baggage tracking.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the AirTag price: it’s still $29 for a single AirTag and $99 for a four-pack, including free personal engraving.
First launched in 2021, AirTag is quickly dominating the market for Bluetooth-connected items, pushing past market leaders. like Tile to quickly find out. Company alleged that Apple is not fair competition because the find network is growing as fast as the iPhone’s install base, and Apple is forcing rival AirTag to integrate with its own Find My app. Other companies, like Chipolo, took up Apple’s offer to work with Find My and compete with AirTag products that work on iOS and Androidor that have different features, like rechargeable batteries.
However, Apple’s AirTag remains the one to beat, according to third-party estimates which is almost 70% the tracker that goes on sale by the end of 2024 is the AirTag device. Apple does not disclose AirTag sales.