AirTag 2 review: subtle improvements to find your stuff even faster

The AirTag 2 has received a few minor improvements, but are they enough to replace your old AirTag? Read it in our AirTag 2 review!

AirTag 2 review: subtle improvements to find your stuff even faster

When you read the improvements to the AirTag 2 you quickly think “Is that all?”, because the tracker looks almost the same on the outside. But on the inside, a few parts have been upgraded that will certainly come in handy. You can read exactly what has changed in this AirTag 2 review!

The AirTag 2 in short

• AirTag 2 has a larger search range;
• 31.9mm diameter, 8.0mm thick, 11.8g (slightly heavier than AirTag 1);
• IP67 (dust/water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes)
• CR2032 coin cell, replaceable;
• Speaker is 50 percent louder;
• Equipped with the U2 chip;
• Accurate search with your Apple Watch;
• Cheaper price (€34.99);

AirTag 2: the most important improvements

Let’s start with the most important thing: the biggest upgrade with the AirTag 2 is the second generation Ultra Wideband chip. That means Precise Search now works better. You use this function if you are near the tracker, but do not yet know exactly where it is. An arrow in the Find My app then indicates where you should walk.

According to Apple, the feature is up to 1.5 times better. We tested this at home and we were able to use the function up to about 30-40 meters away. This allowed us to check from outside where the tracker was located (approximately) inside. But how well it works depends of course on the location.

In addition, Accurate Search can now also be used on the Apple Watch. But for this you need an Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2 (or newer). Please note that you must also have a recent version of watchOS and iOS.

By the way, the improved version of Precise Search only works on an iPhone 15 or newer. iPhones from the iPhone 11 onwards support Precise Search, but not the improved version.

Better (and louder) speaker

The AirTag 2 also makes itself heard a lot more clearly. Apple says the speaker is about 50 percent louder. Very useful if you have lost your keys somewhere in the house for the umpteenth time.

That improved speaker is also included due to a privacy issue. AirTags have been abused to track people in the past, and Apple wants to make that more difficult with AirTag 2. The better speaker makes it easier to detect them if an unknown AirTag moves with you. In addition, the speaker has been modified in such a way that it is more difficult to remove, to prevent misuse. We have not tested whether the speaker is better mounted, but it is certainly more audible.

Other functions of the AirTag

Many things about the AirTag 2 have also remained the same. The design is almost the same and you can still choose only one color for the device. In addition, the AirTag 2 has an IP67 rating. This means that the AirTag 2 can be submerged in water up to one meter deep and for up to thirty minutes. However, the advice remains that it is better to avoid water.

The dimensions of the AirTag 2 are also the same as the AirTag 1. So you can continue to use all your accessories from the AirTag 1 without any problems, the new version of the AirTag fits in perfectly.

The tracker still contains a CR2032 button cell and you can replace it yourself. Make sure you buy the correct variant. There should be no protective coating on the battery. You should replace the battery about once a year. We regret that Apple has not made any changes to the battery. The battery life is the same and that’s fine, but a rechargeable battery would have been a nice step for the AirTag 2.

AirTag 1 vs AirTag 2: Should You Upgrade?

Already have an AirTag 1? And should you buy an AirTag 2 right now? No. The AirTag 2 looks a lot like its predecessor. For the most important function (tracking your stuff), the AirTag 1 is still fine.

But if you often lose things indoors, the improvements to the Accurate Search function are a nice addition. In addition, you can now also use Precise Search via your Apple Watch. But please note that you must have a recent Apple Watch or iPhone for this.

Furthermore, the louder beep is useful, but it was already quite okay with the AirTag 1. This is therefore not really a reason to switch.

But if you don’t have an AirTag yet and you want to buy one, the AirTag 2 is definitely preferable. Especially because the AirTag 1 had a suggested retail price of 39 euros. The AirTag 2 costs slightly less, namely 35 euros.

Conclusion AirTag 2 review

The AirTag 2 is still the best tracker you can have as an iPhone user. The new version is certainly not a revolutionary upgrade, but the improvements are certainly welcome.

Do you have to immediately replace your old AirTags? No. But if you are going to buy a new AirTag soon, check whether you have the new version. We wouldn’t buy an AirTag 1 now unless you can get it a lot cheaper. That chance is small, because Apple has lowered the prices of the AirTag 2.

On iPhoned we test the latest iPhones and other Apple products. The editorial team (just like all other content on the website) compiles the reviews with a lot of time, care and attention.

This way you as a reader know exactly what to expect from the tested smartphone (and other products). In the reviews we go into depth, but in an understandable way. After all, we want everyone to understand the story and ultimately know how good (or bad) the tested device is.