The wait is over. Five years after redefining the item tracker market, Apple has released the 2026 AirTag. On the surface, nothing has changed – it’s the same white puck that scratches easily and lacks a keyring hole. But inside, it is a completely different beast.
We have analysed the specs, the privacy updates, and the “Apple Tax” to tell you if the upgrade is worth your $29 (approx. KES 3,800).
The Good: UWB 2 is a Game Changer
The 2026 AirTag retains the exact design of its predecessor – white plastic, stainless steel, and no keyring hole. However, the internals have been completely overhauled with a focus on three failure points: range, volume, and wrist navigation.
- The UWB Boost: At the core is a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, shared with the new iPhone 17 family, iPhone Air, and Apple Watch Series 11. Apple claims this extends Precision Finding range by up to 50%. While exact metre figures weren’t shared, the upgraded Bluetooth chip also boosts general detection on the Find My network.
- Precision Finding on the Wrist: In a major usability fix, Precision Finding is now officially supported on Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and newer. Users can now see directional arrows, distance readouts, and receive haptic feedback directly on their wrist, eliminating the need to hold a phone while searching for luggage or keys.
- Louder Audio: The speaker is 50% louder, capable of being heard from twice the previous distance. Apple also added a “distinctive new chime” to cut through ambient noise. While marketed for finding lost items, this is largely a response to stalking concerns – ensuring hidden tags are easier to locate when an unwanted tracking alert triggers.
- Battery: the same User-replaceable CR2032 coin cell (rated for “more than a year”).
The Bad: The “Hole” Tax Continues
Let’s be critical: Apple’s refusal to add a simple keyring hole is user-hostile design.
- The Cost: While the AirTag costs $29 (approx. KES 3,800), you cannot actually use it on many things without buying a holder.
- The Reality: This pushes the functional price to over KES 4,500. Competitors like Samsung, Chipolo and Tile include a hole for free. This is a deliberate choice to sustain a lucrative accessory ecosystem.
The Critical: Safety vs. Theft
The new speaker is 50% louder.
- For Stalking: This is excellent. If an unwanted tracker is in your bag, the “Anti-Stalking Chime” is now piercing enough to be heard in a busy matatu or café.
- For Theft: This is a double-edged sword. A louder speaker makes it easier for a thief to locate and discard an AirTag hidden on a stolen motorbike or laptop.
Ecosystem: Airline Integration & “Lock-In”
Apple is turning the AirTag into airline infrastructure. The device fully integrates with the iOS Share Item Location feature. Over 50 airlines have partnered to accept secure tracking links, potentially standardising self-service baggage recovery. We are yet to confirm which carriers servicing African hubs (like JKIA) are on this list.
Conversely, the “walled garden” remains high. There is still no native Android app beyond the basic “Tracker Detect” for safety. While Apple and Google collaborated on cross-platform unwanted tracking alerts (now standard in iOS 17.5+ and Android 6.0+), the AirTag remains an iOS-first citizen.
Buying Advice: Should You Upgrade?
| Feature | AirTag (2021) | AirTag (2026) |
| Chip | U1 (1st Gen) | UWB 2 (2nd Gen) |
| Range | Standard | +50% Improved |
| Audio | Standard | +50% Louder |
| Watch Support | No | Yes (Series 9+) |
| Hole? | No | No |
The Verdict:
If you have an iPhone 15 or older, the new AirTag offers marginal gains. But if you have upgraded to an iPhone 16, 17, or Apple Watch Ultra, the improved range and wrist-based tracking make the 2026 AirTag the only tracker worth buying – despite the frustrating design.
Price: $29 (KES ~3,800) | 4-Pack: $99 (KES ~12,900)
Note: Local pricing may vary due to VAT/Duties.
