AirTag (2nd generation)

Source

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

Key Takeaways

• Apple stubbornly still refuses to put a simple lanyard hole on the body, enforcing reliance on accessories.
• The push-and-twist metal battery cover easily sticks or jams over time, making battery replacement frustrating.
• Speaker volume gets a minor bump, but still struggles to pierce through dense sofa cushions or noisy streets.
• Refined rear finish resists deep scratches better, yet still collects visible swirling scuffs within weeks of key contact.

✅ Pros

• Second-gen UWB chip doubles precise finding range
• Vast Apple Find My network delivers reliable locates
• Enhanced proactive anti-stalking protection

❌ Cons

• No built-in lanyard hole forces accessory purchases
• Sticky twist-off battery door is awkward to open
• Muffled speaker struggles through thick fabric
• Polished back still collects surface micro-scuffs

📝 Verdict

"AirTag 2 doubles finding range, but the stubborn refusal to include a keyring hole remains pure corporate greed."

Source

• Video: Should You Buy the New AirTag 2? Upgrades & Tips
• Channel: Craig's Tech Talk | Type: Hands-on comparison and usage tips | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• He initially saw it as a minor refresh and didn't even plan to buy one; but he thinks that for first-time buyers, AirTag brings peace of mind for cars, backpacks and luggage, and $29 for one or $99 for a four-pack is well worth it.
• How it works: AirTag has no GPS or cellular connection; instead it uses the Find My network, anonymously borrowing passing Apple devices to report its location; Precision Finding relies on the Ultra Wideband chip, with an arrow leading you right to the item.
• The alert sound is 50% louder, making it easier to hear in a bag or car, and also helps alert you to an AirTag nearby that isn't yours.
• Parking lot test: the 2nd generation started Precision Finding at about 200 feet, and within 100 feet a direction arrow appeared and led him straight to the car; the first generation only showed "Far" and didn't enter Precision Finding until 8 feet. In an open field, the 2nd generation connected at 333 feet and showed an arrow at 274 feet; the first generation never entered Precision Finding even with direct line of sight.
• Tips: you can set up Notify When Left Behind and exclude places such as home, share AirTags with family, and share an item's location with airlines to help find lost luggage.

✅ Pros

• Greatly improved Precision Finding range
• A louder alert sound
• Affordable price
• Useful sharing and left-behind notifications

❌ Cons

• Apple's official case costs more than the AirTag itself
• How much of an upgrade first-generation owners notice depends on the environment

📝 Verdict

New users should go straight for the 2nd generation: the measured gap in Precision Finding is clear, and with the price unchanged, it's a tracker worth getting.

Source

• Video: AirTag 2 Is a Bigger Upgrade Than I Expected
• Channel: MacRumors | Type: Hands-on testing review | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• Apple says Bluetooth range and Precision Finding distance improve by up to 50%, and the US price stays at $29 for one and $99 for a four-pack — an upgrade at no extra cost.
• The design, size and roughly one-year battery life are the same as the first generation; the only way to tell them apart is the engraving on the back.
• New Precision Finding on Apple Watch (Series 9 and later), with a shortcut button you can add to Control Center; indoors it stays connected even through walls and furniture, showing a direction arrow and distance.
• Comparing both generations hidden in a backpack: the first generation lost signal once a door was closed and he walked into another room; the 2nd generation picks up the signal from farther away, keeps tracking even without line of sight, and maintains distance readings through floors and walls, making things faster to find with more accurate direction.
• The alert sound is up to 50% louder and higher-pitched, making it easier to locate in a backpack or noisy environment. People who already use many AirTags don't need to replace them all, but items that often get lost are worth switching to the 2nd generation first; for new users, now is the right time to buy.

✅ Pros

• Significantly greater Precision Finding range
• Precision Finding on Apple Watch
• A louder alert that's easier to locate
• Unchanged price

❌ Cons

• No change in design or battery life
• A minor upgrade

📝 Verdict

A low-key but practical upgrade: longer-range Precision Finding, watch support and a louder alert make often-lost items easier to recover.

Source

• Video: AirTag 2 Review - What's Different Vs AirTag 1? Is The Upgrade Worth It?
• Channel: Brian Tong | Type: Hands-on review with range testing | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• The two generations are nearly identical in looks, feel, weight and roughly one-year battery life; only the engraving on the back has changed to an all-caps list of features; the four-pack now comes in a tall, narrow box.
• He demonstrates setup and naming with an iPhone, and using Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 and later and Ultra 2 and later (Apple Watch SE isn't supported).
• The 2nd generation's Ultra Wideband chip is the same as in the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3. He tested range in an open, unobstructed area, and the 2nd generation's Precision Finding tracked farther than the first generation's; he also notes that range shrinks noticeably indoors with walls in the way.
• "Share Item Location" can be provided to airlines to help find lost luggage, and the list of partner airlines keeps growing.
• The price stays at $29 for one and $99 for a four-pack, and all existing AirTag accessories still work. He thinks it's an unspectacular minor upgrade, but as a frequent traveler he'll buy one himself.

✅ Pros

• Longer Precision Finding range
• Finding directly from an Apple Watch is more convenient
• Unchanged price
• Fully compatible with old accessories

❌ Cons

• No change in design or battery life
• Apple Watch SE doesn't support finding from the watch
• A small upgrade

📝 Verdict

A practical minor upgrade: people who travel often or are always looking for things will notice the difference, and there's no need to reinvest in either price or accessories.