Apple's new AirTag tracker is better, but not upgrade-worthy

"By Chris Welch, Bloomberg Apple Inc.'s new second-generation AirTag is basically a slightly better do-over of the original. At $29 for a single item tracker or $99 for a four-pack, it also costs the same. Upgraders can expect slightly better wireless range, a louder chime and the ability to pinpoint an item's location with their Apple Watch: no iPhone necessary."

"The AirTag is the rare Apple item that you're never supposed to think about. Having been an early adopter of the original $29 device, I've kept the tiny circular tracker on my keychain, tucked it away in my backpack, and hidden it in my guitar case. And for most of that time, the AirTag has dutifully (and uneventfully) served its purpose, continually pinging nearby iPhones, Macs and other devices in Apple's vast Find My network to report its whereabouts."

"The new device's improved loudness an increase of 50%, according to Apple is the biggest improvement. Whereas I sometimes struggled to hear the original AirTag emit its location in a crowded restaurant or on a city street, this one cuts through clearly in those environments. If someone were to covertly plant one of Apple's trackers on me for nefarious purposes, the louder chime makes it easier to pinpoint and disable."

Second-generation AirTag keeps the same $29 single and $99 four-pack pricing while providing modest hardware upgrades. The tracker delivers slightly improved wireless range, a 50% louder speaker and Precision Finding ability directly on an Apple Watch without requiring an iPhone. The CR2032 coin cell continues to provide about a year of battery life. The device uses Apple's Find My network to continuously report locations and remains reliable and unobtrusive in everyday use. The louder chime makes audible detection easier in noisy environments and helps locate or disable covertly planted trackers. Overall usability, placement options and core functionality remain largely unchanged.

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