GoKawiilApple is on a tear releasing new products this year, from the iPhone 17E to the MacBook Neo, but it's the Apple AirTag that could make the most impact, if only for the number of lost keys, bags and other items that get found because of it. The diminutive tracker got a second generation refresh -- but is it worth buying the new model when the first-generation tags work just fine?
Despite the physical resemblance, this new AirTag (which Apple is not officially calling "AirTag 2") includes key improvements in range, sound and functionality that you should understand before you order another set.
How much do AirTags cost?
The retail price of a second-generation AirTag is $29 or $99 for a pack of four. That has been consistent since the original AirTags were introduced in 2021.
So far, it looks like Apple and retailers are keeping the second-generation AirTags at their retail prices. However, first-generation AirTags are being sold for as little as $60 for a pack of four, depending on inventory, bringing the per-tag cost down to $17.50.
We don't know how much existing first-generation AirTag inventory is out there, so that pricing might persist for a while. It's also likely that once second-generation AirTags have been on the market for a while, they too will be discounted by third-party retailers, often around $24 for a single AirTag and $75 for a four-pack, if the pricing of the original generation remains consistent.
Do the new AirTags (2nd generation) look different?
For the most part, a second-gen AirTag looks exactly like the first-gen model, from its white plastic exterior to its shiny aluminum backplate. There is a slight weight difference: 11 grams (original) versus 11.8 grams (2nd-gen).
They're both powered by a single CR2032 coin cell battery, which is easy to find and affordable. In my experience with first-generation AirTags, the battery lasts about a year before needing replacement.
How can you identify the AirTag generations?
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