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The second-generation ‌AirTag‌ arrives 5 years aft the original, bringing improvements to tracking range, talker output, and interior plan portion retaining the aforesaid outward plan and accessory compatibility. At the aforesaid time, first-generation AirTags stay disposable from immoderate retailers astatine reduced prices, raising the question of whether the newer exemplary is worthy choosing implicit the original, oregon whether the earlier ‌AirTag‌ inactive makes consciousness arsenic a lower-cost option.
The examination beneath outlines each quality betwixt the 2 generations, including Apple-announced diagnostic upgrades and hardware changes identified done teardowns. While some models execute the aforesaid halfway relation of tracking items done the Find My network, determination are immoderate tiny differences worthy noting:
| First-generation Ultra Wideband chip | Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip |
| Shorter Precision Finding range | Up to 50% farther Precision Finding range |
| Precision Finding connected iPhone only | Precision Finding connected ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch (Series 9 and aboriginal and Ultra 2) |
| Earlier Bluetooth implementation | Upgraded Bluetooth with accrued range |
| Bluetooth identifiers rotate astatine modular intervals | Bluetooth identifiers rotate much frequently |
| Standard talker volume | Up to 50% louder speaker |
| Chime enactment successful F | Chime enactment successful G |
| Works connected earlier supported iOS versions | Requires iOS 26.2.1 oregon later |
| Reset without a required hold betwixt artillery removals | Reset requires artillery retired for astatine slightest 5 seconds each cycle |
| 11g weight | 11.8g value (around 7% heavier) |
| Back substance listing "Assembled successful China" and "Designed by Apple" | Back substance successful all-caps listing IP67, NFC, and ‌Find My‌ |
| Thicker main PCB | Thinner main PCB with revised artillery connectors, and further trial pads and markings |
| Smaller talker coil | Slightly larger talker coil |
| Speaker magnet much easy removable | Speaker magnet much firmly secured and harder to remove |
| Wider container with level printed substance and integrative propulsion tabs | Redesigned narrower container with updated artwork, raised UV printed text, and insubstantial propulsion tabs |
| Folio-style interior tray holding up to 2 rows of 2 AirTags | Redesigned interior tray with simpler plan holding up to 4 AirTags |
For buyers choosing betwixt the 2 ‌AirTag‌ models, the determination depends little connected basal tracking and much connected however and wherever an ‌AirTag‌ is typically used. Both generations trust connected the aforesaid ‌Find My‌ web for long-distance determination updates, connection akin artillery life, and enactment with the aforesaid accessories, truthful neither exemplary is considerably amended for wide point tracking.
The second-generation ‌AirTag‌ is apt to payment users who often trust connected Precision Finding alternatively than approximate location. The extended Ultra Wideband scope makes it easier to find the circumstantial determination of items, portion the louder talker improves audibility successful noisy spaces oregon erstwhile an ‌AirTag‌ is buried wrong a container oregon suitcase. Support for Precision Finding connected compatible Apple Watch models besides makes the newer ‌AirTag‌ much convenient for users who often permission their ‌iPhone‌ behind.
The first-generation ‌AirTag‌ remains a applicable enactment for the overwhelming bulk of usage cases, specified arsenic tracking keys, backpacks, oregon household items that are usually misplaced wrong abbreviated distances. If disposable astatine a meaningful discount, it whitethorn connection amended worth for users who bash not request Precision Finding astatine extended range, bash not usage an Apple Watch for point location, oregon simply privation basal ‌Find My‌ functionality astatine the lowest cost.
For existing ‌AirTag‌ owners, determination is surely nary pressing request to upgrade. For caller buyers, the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ simply offers the astir implicit diagnostic acceptable and greater flexibility going forward, acting arsenic a mean specification bump implicit the erstwhile model.
Tag: AirTag
This article, "AirTag 1 vs. AirTag 2 Buyer's Guide: All 15+ Differences Compared" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com
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