Apple Unveils New AirTag with Enhanced Range and Precision

Apple has officially revealed its latest iteration of the AirTag, a compact tracking device designed to help users locate personal items like keys, wallets, and bags. The new model brings significant hardware upgrades that enhance both the precision and the audible feedback of the device.

While the exterior design remains familiar, the internal technology has been substantially improved. The core of the update is a new ultra wideband chip that powers more accurate location tracking and extends the effective range for finding misplaced items.

The most significant change in the new AirTag is the integration of Apple's upgraded ultra wideband chip. This component is the engine behind the device's enhanced tracking capabilities, allowing for a more precise and responsive connection with compatible Apple devices.

Alongside the new ultra wideband chip, Apple has also incorporated an improved Bluetooth chip. This update is specifically designed to "expand the range at which items can be located," making it easier to find belongings that may be in a different room or further away than before.

For users relying on audio cues to find their items, the new AirTag features a 50 percent louder speaker. This enhanced audio output ensures that the device's location chime is more easily heard in noisy environments or when buried under other objects.

• Upgraded ultra wideband chip for precision
• Enhanced Bluetooth chip for extended range
• Speaker is 50% louder than previous model

The new ultra wideband chip directly enables Apple's advanced Precision Finding feature. This system uses a combination of haptic, visual, and audio feedback to provide step-by-step guidance to a misplaced item.

With the new hardware, Precision Finding is now capable of guiding users to items from up to "50 percent farther away" than was previously possible. This extended range means users can begin the tracking process from a greater distance, saving time and effort.

"The new chip powers Apple's Precision Finding feature, which uses haptic, visual, and audio feedback to guide you to items from up to '50 percent farther away.'"

This multi-sensory approach—combining on-screen arrows, directional haptics, and audio cues—creates a more intuitive and reliable method for locating everyday essentials, especially in complex indoor spaces.

Despite the internal technological advancements, Apple has maintained the same price point for the new AirTag. This pricing strategy makes the upgraded device an accessible option for both new users and those looking to expand their tracking network.

The new AirTag is available for purchase in two configurations. A single unit is priced at $29, while a convenient four-pack is offered for $99. This pricing structure remains identical to the model it replaces, ensuring no cost increase for the enhanced features.

• Single AirTag: $29
• Four-pack: $99
• Pricing matches previous generation

This consistent pricing, coupled with the improved functionality, positions the new AirTag as a strong value proposition in the personal tracking market.

The combination of hardware improvements in the new AirTag is designed to create a more seamless and effective user experience. The expanded range from the Bluetooth chip and the louder speaker address two of the most common challenges in finding lost items: distance and audibility.

By making the Precision Finding feature effective from a greater distance, Apple reduces the frustration of having to be in close proximity to an item before the tracking system activates. The louder speaker further mitigates the issue of a silent device being hidden in a noisy or cluttered environment.

Together, these enhancements ensure that the new AirTag is not just more powerful on paper, but also more practical and reliable in everyday use. The focus remains on delivering a straightforward solution to a common problem, backed by robust technology.

The release of the new AirTag with its upgraded ultra wideband chip and improved speaker represents a meaningful, incremental update to a popular product. By enhancing core functionalities like range, precision, and audio feedback, Apple has refined the device without altering its fundamental purpose or price.

For consumers, the key takeaway is a more capable tracking tool that integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. The ability to locate items from a greater distance and hear them more clearly makes the device more useful for a wider range of scenarios, from finding keys in a large house to locating a backpack in a noisy café.