Apple AirTag 2 Announced – Longer Range, Louder Speaker & Apple Watch Precision Finding

Apple quietly refreshed one of its most popular accessories today. The second-generation AirTag (often called AirTag 2) was announced on January 26, 2026 during a small product update event. While the external design remains identical (same white disc, IP67 water/dust resistance, replaceable CR2032 battery), nearly every internal component has been improved.Main New FeaturesSecond-generation Ultra Wideband chip — same U1/U2 successor found in iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11. Enables Precision Finding from up to 50% farther (real-world tests show reliable direction & distance guidance from ~60–80 meters in open areas vs ~40 m on original). Louder built-in speaker — Apple claims 50% louder output, allowing the separation sound to be heard clearly from twice the distance (especially useful in large homes, cars, or outdoors). Precision Finding on Apple Watch — For the first time you can use the full directional arrow + distance meter directly on Apple Watch Series 9 / Ultra 2 / Series 10+ (requires watchOS 26.2.1 or later). No need to pull out your iPhone anymore. Improved Bluetooth range — Better antenna design extends the “Findable” radius via the Find My network by roughly 30–40% in real-world conditions. Faster firmware updates & better low-power management — Slightly longer battery life in heavy-use scenarios. No camera, no U2 chip upgrade to U3, no built-in speaker for two-way communication, no Qi2 charging — Apple kept the price point accessible and focused on the most complained-about limitations of the original.Pricing & AvailabilityExpected price: $29 (same as original) or $34 in some regions due to component cost increases. Pre-orders: Likely started immediately after announcement (check apple.com). In stores: Late February / early March 2026 in most markets. Fully backward compatible — old AirTags still work perfectly with new iOS/watchOS features. Who Should Upgrade?Heavy AirTag users who frequently lose items in larger spaces (cars, backpacks at airports, luggage at hotels). Apple Watch users who want wrist-based tracking without reaching for their phone. People who found the original speaker too quiet in noisy environments. For casual users the original AirTag is still excellent — the upgrades are noticeable but evolutionary rather than revolutionary.At digital8hub.com we follow every Apple accessory launch, Find My network improvements, smart trackers and location tech trends. Looking for the best AirTag accessories, privacy tips, or alternatives (Tile, Chipolo, Samsung SmartTag)? Check our gadgets and smart-home guides.The AirTag was already great — now it’s even better.