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Five years passed between the original AirTag and its successor — long enough that most buyers assumed any update would come with a price increase. It didn’t. When Apple finally refreshed its item tracker in 2026, the new model arrived with a longer Precision Finding range, a louder speaker, and Apple Watch support, all at the exact same price as the tracker it replaced.
Here is the complete AirTag 2 release timeline, full pricing breakdown, and where to buy it today.
⚡ Quick Answer
📅 Announced: January 26, 2026
🛒 Released: January 30, 2026
💰 Price: $29 (single) / $99 (4-pack) — no increase from the original
👉 Check Current Price📋 Table of Contents
AirTag 2 Release Timeline
Apple announced the new AirTag on January 26, 2026, and it became available to order and purchase in stores just four days later, on January 30, 2026. This is a noticeably tighter announcement-to-release window than Apple uses for major products like iPhone, where weeks typically separate the keynote from launch day.
Announcement Date — January 26, 2026
According to Apple’s official newsroom announcement, the new AirTag was introduced with an expanded Precision Finding range and improved findability as the headline upgrades, alongside the new U2 Ultra Wideband chip.
Official Launch Date — January 30, 2026
AirTag 2 hit shelves and Apple’s online store on January 30, 2026, available immediately in both single-pack and four-pack configurations with no pre-order waiting period or shipping delays reported at launch.
AirTag 1 Discontinued the Same Day
Apple discontinued the original AirTag the moment the new model launched, removing it entirely from Apple’s own store. This is consistent with Apple’s usual pattern of retiring the previous generation rather than selling both side by side.
AirTag 2 Pricing Breakdown
AirTag 2 is priced identically to the original AirTag at launch, despite the hardware upgrades.
Single AirTag 2 Price
A single AirTag 2 costs $29, the exact same price Apple charged for the original AirTag from 2021 through its discontinuation in January 2026.
4-Pack Pricing and Per-Unit Savings
The four-pack costs $99, which works out to $24.75 per AirTag — a savings of roughly $4 per unit compared to buying four single packs separately. This pricing structure also carried over unchanged from the original AirTag.
| Configuration | Price | Per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Single AirTag 2 | $29 | $29.00 |
| AirTag 2 (4-Pack) | $99 | $24.75 |
Why Apple Kept the Same Price
Holding the line on price while upgrading internals is unusual for Apple, but it makes sense strategically for an accessory that depends on widespread adoption. The AirTag’s entire value proposition rests on the size of the Find My network — the more people own one, the more useful every single AirTag becomes for everyone. A price increase would have worked directly against that network effect. Keeping the entry point at $29 also pressures competitors like Tile and Samsung, who already compete largely on price.
For a full breakdown of what those internal upgrades actually are, see our AirTag 2 vs AirTag 1 differences guide.
What Happened to AirTag 1
The original AirTag is no longer sold through Apple directly, but third-party retailers and resellers may still have old stock available, sometimes at a discount below the $29 price of AirTag 2. If you are shopping a listing that looks unusually cheap, it is worth checking which generation you are actually buying — our guide on telling AirTag 1 from AirTag 2 shows the exact visual difference in seconds.
Where to Buy AirTag 2 Today
AirTag 2 is widely available through Apple’s own store as well as major retailers. Pricing has remained consistent at $29 for a single unit and $99 for the four-pack since launch, with occasional retailer promotions during sales events.
Pros and Cons of the 2026 Release
✅ Pros
- No price increase despite hardware upgrades
- Fast turnaround from announcement to launch
- Same accessory compatibility as before
- 4-pack offers real per-unit savings
❌ Cons
- AirTag 1 buyers got no trade-in discount
- No price drop on remaining AirTag 1 stock from Apple
- Requires iOS/iPadOS 26.2.1 or later to pair
Frequently Asked Questions
When did AirTag 2 release?
AirTag 2 was announced on January 26, 2026 and officially released on January 30, 2026.
How much does AirTag 2 cost?
A single AirTag 2 costs $29. The four-pack costs $99, which comes out to $24.75 per unit.
Is AirTag 1 still available to buy?
Apple discontinued AirTag 1 the same day AirTag 2 launched. It is no longer sold through Apple, though some third-party retailers may still have leftover stock.
Did AirTag 2 price go up from the original?
No. AirTag 2 is priced exactly the same as the original AirTag was: $29 for a single unit and $99 for a four-pack.
Is the AirTag 4-pack worth it over buying single units?
Yes, if you need more than two AirTags. The four-pack saves roughly $4 per unit compared to buying four singles separately, and most households end up using at least three or four trackers across keys, bags, and pets.
Do I need to update my iPhone to use AirTag 2?
Yes. AirTag 2 requires iOS or iPadOS version 26.2.1 or later to pair and locate, regardless of which iPhone model you own.
Are there any other AirTag colors or sizes at different prices?
No. AirTag 2 launched in a single design and size, matching the original AirTag’s approach of offering one universal model rather than color or size variants at different price points.
Final Verdict
Apple’s decision to hold the price at $29 while delivering genuine hardware improvements makes AirTag 2 one of the more straightforward upgrade decisions in tech this year. There is no premium tax for the better chip, louder speaker, or Apple Watch support — you get the 2026 model for the same money the 2021 version cost on day one. If you are buying your first tracker or replacing a lost one, there is no reason to seek out the discontinued original.
Md Masud Rana — Tech Reviewer & Gadget Specialist
Masud has hands-on experience testing consumer electronics, tracking devices, and everyday gadgets. He founded Honest Picks to cut through marketing noise and deliver real, unbiased product reviews that help readers make smarter purchase decisions.
Last Reviewed: June 2026