Apple’s second‑generation AirTag claims a dramatic boost in Ultra‑Wideband (UWB) reach – from roughly 15 metres on the original model to as much as 50 metres in real‑world use. The c’t 3003 video test, conducted at Heise Verlag, puts those numbers to the test against the legacy AirTag and Motorola’s Android‑compatible Moto Tag.
In practice the new AirTag delivers the kind of “game‑changing” performance its marketing promises. When the tracker is hidden about 50 metres away, an iPhone 15 (or any device equipped with Apple’s U2 chip) picks up the UWB signal and displays a directional arrow well before the older AirTag or the Moto Tag can do the same. The result is a far smoother “find‑my‑thing” experience, especially in larger homes or office spaces where Bluetooth alone often falls short.
What the test showed
The c’t 3003 team placed three trackers – the original AirTag (released 2021), the new AirTag 2 (released 2024), and Motorola’s Moto Tag – at a distance of about 50 metres from the tester’s iPhone 15. The iPhone’s “Find My” app reported:
- AirTag 2: first UWB connection at 23 metres, arrow visible up to ~50 metres.
- Original AirTag: no UWB connection until within ~15 metres; the arrow appeared only at that range.
- Moto Tag: no UWB arrow at all with the tester’s Pixel 9 (Bluetooth‑only). The tag could only be located by sound, and the sound was faint.
Inside the Heise office the same pattern repeated. The AirTag 2 began reporting a distance of 24 metres, dropping to 13 metres as the tester moved closer, while the original AirTag stayed “far away” until the tester was practically on top of it. The Moto Tag only became audible after the AirTag 2 had already guided the user to the vicinity.
Technical background
Apple’s press release for the second‑generation AirTag explains that the new device ships with a U2 chip, an evolution of the U1 chip introduced with the iPhone 11. The U2 chip expands the UWB antenna array, allowing the device to both emit and receive pulses over a wider area. Apple’s own specifications list a “UWB range up to 50 metres” – a claim that the c’t 3003 measurements corroborate.Apple newsroom, 2024‑09‑12
Motorola’s Moto Tag, announced in 2023, also uses UWB for “precision finding”, but it requires a handset with a UWB chip that supports the Android Find‑My‑Device ecosystem. Only Google’s Pixel Pro models (Pixel 6 Pro onward) include such a chip; the standard Pixel 9 used in the test lacks UWB, which explains the missing directional arrow.Motorola Moto Tag product page
Price and availability
Apple has kept the price of the AirTag 2 identical to the original model: $35 (≈ €39) per unit in the United States and Europe respectively.Apple AirTag product page The packaging still includes a CR2032 coin cell that lasts about a year, and the battery is user‑replaceable.
The Moto Tag retails for about $49 (≈ €45) in the United States, with a slightly higher price in Europe. It ships with a similar CR2032 battery, but the Android app requires manual activation of “Find‑My‑Device” sharing for the tag to be reported to the network.Google Find‑My‑Device help
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Feature | AirTag (1st gen) | AirTag 2 (U2) | Moto Tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWB chip | U1 | U2 (new antenna array) | UWB (requires Pixel Pro) |
| UWB range (tested) | ≈ 15 m | ≈ 50 m | ≈ 15 m (no arrow on non‑UWB phone) |
| Bluetooth range | ≈ 30 m | ≈ 30 m | ≈ 30 m |
| Price (US) | $35 | $35 | $49 |
| Supported phones | iPhone 11 + (iOS 14.5+) | iPhone 15 + (iOS 17+) | Pixel 6 Pro + (Android 12+) |
Why the longer UWB range matters
UWB’s ability to calculate “time‑of‑flight” makes it far more precise than Bluetooth RSSI‑based proximity estimates. For everyday users, this translates into a clear visual cue – the arrow in the Find My app – that points toward the tag from a much greater distance. In large apartments, office corridors, or outdoor settings (e.g., a parked car), the extra 35 metres can be the difference between wandering aimlessly and locating the item in seconds.
Apple’s ecosystem also benefits from the “crowd‑sourced” network: any nearby iPhone that detects the AirTag can anonymously relay its location to the owner’s iCloud account. This feature works regardless of the UWB range, but the longer reach reduces the reliance on intermediate devices, making the experience perceive more self‑contained.
What’s next for UWB tracking?
Apple’s introduction of the U2 chip suggests that future accessories – such as the rumored “Apple Key” for car unlocking – will also enjoy the extended range. Motorola has indicated that firmware updates may bring better compatibility with non‑Pixel Android phones, but no official timetable has been announced.Android UWB developer guide
For now, the c’t 3003 findings confirm that the AirTag 2 lives up to Apple’s promises: a noticeable jump from roughly 15 metres to 50 metres in practical UWB searching. Users who already rely on AirTags for everyday item tracking will notice the improvement immediately, while Android users may need to upgrade to a UWB‑capable handset to enjoy comparable precision.
What do you suppose about the new range? Have you tried the AirTag 2 in your own space? Share your experience in the comments and let us know whether the longer UWB reach changes how you organize your belongings.
