For those who travel, misplace things, or want to know where something is, Apple AirTags have been a valuable way of tracking items down.
There’s good news: Apple has unveiled its next-generation AirTag.
The New Apple AirTag with a FineWoven Keyring – Image, Apple.
What’s new?
In summary, the new AirTags will feature a more powerful Precision Finding, a longer Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker.
Technical changes include the addition of Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (the same used in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11), which powers the new AirTag.
Using haptic, visual, and audio feedback, Precision Finding guides users to their lost items from up to 50 percent farther away than the previous generation. The upgraded Bluetooth chip also expands the range at which items can be located.
With its updated internal design, the new AirTag is 50 percent louder than the previous generation, enabling users to hear their AirTag farther than before.
For those using the Find My functionality, you won’t need to reach for your phone – you’ll be able to use Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, to find your AirTag.
Helping to Reunite Luggage faster
For travellers, AirTags have been useful to find out if your bag has landed with you and where it is in the luggage system, or if it’s in a different place completely. Over the last year and a bit, Apple and airlines have rolled out “Find My Share Item Location”, allowing you to share details of your AirTag.
So far, Apple has partnered with 50 airlines to deliver this. According to SITA, carriers report that using Share Item Location has reduced baggage delays by 26 percent and reduced incidences of “truly lost” or unrecoverable luggage by 90 per cent.
Access is granted only to authorised personnel via a secure Apple Account or partner authentication. The shared location will be disabled as soon as a user is reunited with their item, can be stopped by the owner at any time, and will automatically expire after seven days.
Pricing
In this day of prices going through the roof on technology items, it’s heartening to see that AirTag is available in one- and four-packs for $29 (U.S.) and $99 (U.S.), respectively, with prices remaining static in real terms.
Expect the same sort of local pricing you’re used to if you shop for AirTags in your own territory (e.g., UK Pricing is £29/£99, EU Pricing is €35/€119).
The new AirTags are available to order on apple.com and in the Apple Store app today and will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. The new AirTag will also be available at Apple Authorised Resellers. Those who order online via the Apple Store can also engrave them for free.
If you’ve got money to burn, the Apple-designed AirTag FineWoven Key Ring is available in fox orange, midnight purple, navy, moss, and black for $35, sold separately.
Requirements
There is a requirement uplift for these new AirTags, with an iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26 or later. Precision Finding on Apple Watch requires Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Ultra 2 or later, with watchOS 26.2.1.
In addition, you will need to have an Apple Account and be signed into their iCloud account. Certain features require Find My to be enabled in iCloud settings.
Yes, I’ll be getting some.
I’ve got several AirTags (from the four I bought originally, to others I’ve added during various adventures – and it’s an accessory I use most days in some shape or form (for example, digging around for where I left my keys can be a challenge some days), let alone the main use of them when I travel – making sure that I know where bags are as well as other important items.
Whilst my AirTags are working well (apart from yearly battery swap, which happens near enough the same time every fudging year), they’ve served me well.
So, when I travel next and forget an AirTag, I’ll probably get some new ones while I’m at it.
Just don’t buy the FineWoven strap – at $35, it’s expensive for what it is.
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