Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range, louder speaker and improved Precision Finding

Apple has announced a new generation of AirTag, which offers improved findability through expanded connectivity range, more powerful Precision Finding and a significantly louder built-in speaker.

The updated item tracker continues to work with Apple’s Find My app and Apple says it is designed exclusively for tracking objects, not people or pets.

The first generation AirTag was first introduced in 2021 and it has become one of Apple’s most popular accessories, commonly used to keep track of everyday items such as keys, bags, bicycles and luggage.

Apple says users worldwide have relied on AirTag to recover misplaced belongings, including lost musical instruments and luggage containing critical medication. In Malaysia, an AirTag was used to recover a stolen car.

Second generation AirTag pricing in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the new second generation AirTag will be priced at RM129 for a single unit and RM429 for a four-pack.

Apple also offers free personalised engraving available via its online store and the Apple Store app.

At the time of writing, the new AirTag is still not available for purchase in Malaysia yet. However, its AirTag FineWoven Key Ring accessories is currently available for RM179 each.

Longer range and improved item tracking

The new AirTag is powered by Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, which Apple says is the same chip used in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.

With the new upgrade, Precision Finding can now guide users to their AirTag from up to 50% farther away than the previous generation, using a combination of haptic, visual and audio cues. Apple has also upgraded the Bluetooth chip, which expands the AirTag’s detection range.

For the first time, Precision Finding is also available on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, allowing users to locate their AirTag directly from their wrist.

Apple has also redesigned the internal acoustics, making the new AirTag 50% louder than before. According to Apple, this allows the sound to be heard from up to twice the distance, helping users locate items hidden under furniture or buried inside bags.

The new AirTag still retains IP67 rated dust and water resistance.

Find My Network and shared item location

If an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range, it can still be located through Apple’s Find My network, which relies on nearby Apple devices to anonymously relay the AirTag’s approximate location back to its owner. Apple says the process is encrypted end-to-end and privacy-protected.

The AirTag also integrates with Share Item Location, an iOS feature that allows users to temporarily share the location of a misplaced item with trusted third parties, including airlines. Apple says it has partnered with more than 50 airlines to support this feature.

Quoting data from SITA, airlines that have used Share Item Location have reported 26% reduction in baggage delays and 90% reduction in unrecoverable or “truly lost” luggage.

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