Kicking off Apple’s 2026 isn’t some flashy new OLED MacBook or even a sock that holds your iPhone. The Fruit Company’s first product is actually the AirTag 2 (or rather, the ‘new’ AirTag), bringing with it revamped internals that supposedly make it easier to find in a pinch. Seeing how that’s the whole point… good job, Apple.
Apple: 2Air2Tag
Handling all the important bits — like helping you find whatever it’s clipped to — is Apple’s new Ultra Wideband chip, which you’d find inside the latest iPhone, Watch Ultra 3, or Watch Series 11, and supposedly makes it easier to locate. The upgraded Bluetooth capabilities also lends itself to this by expanding the possible range, though Apple doesn’t get overtly specific here. You’ll have to make this purchase on its word.
Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip… powers the new AirTag, making it easier to locate than ever before,” Apple said. “Using haptic, visual, and audio feedback, Precision Finding guides users to their lost items from up to 50 percent farther away than the previous generation.”
Read More: Apple’s rumoured AI Pin will pick up where Humane left off
Arguably, the most important upgrade is the one made to the speaker. Apple claims that it’s 50% louder than the first-generation AirTag, which is no small feat for such a little body. It’s even got a whole new chime — possibly to remind customers that this is a new AirTag, actually. Because from the outside, it looks much the same.
Apple’s new wallet-finder became available to pre-order today, with plans to launch later this week. As for when (or even if) South Africa will get a turn to play remains to be seen, though we think it will, considering the first-gen’s history. It still carries a $30 price for a single AirTag, while the four-pack sets buyers back $100, which means SA’s roughly R700 and R2,500 prices, respectively, will still hold.
