Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 Is Full of Hidden Changes

[MacRumors]

Apple has made a series of notable internal changes with the second-generation AirTag, according to a teardown video by Joseph Taylor.

Externally, the second-generation AirTag itself is effectively indistinguishable from the original and continues to use a standard CR2032 coin cell. The only visual differences are slight changes to the text on the back, which is now all in capital letters and lists IP67 water and dust resistance, as well as NFC and Find My support.

The main PCB inside the second-generation AirTag is visibly thinner than that of the original model. The battery connectors are positioned at a different angle and the new board includes additional test pads that are likely related to manufacturing or diagnostics. Taylor also noted new markings inside the battery compartment, including a QR-code-like graphic.

The speaker assembly also sees changes. The speaker coil embedded in the plastic shell appears slightly larger than in the first-generation AirTag, while the speaker magnet is more firmly secured. In the original AirTag, the magnet could be removed relatively easily, which enabled relatively easy modifications. In the second-generation model, the magnet is more firmly secure and requires noticeably more effort to remove.

Taylor speculated that the increased use of adhesive could be related to anti-tampering efforts. Despite the removal of the speaker coil and magnet, the device was still able to connect to his iPhone, indicating that Apple has not introduced a firmware-level lockout or alert triggered by physical modifications.

After pairing the device to an iPhone, the sound the AirTag emits is a "slightly higher pitch" compared to the original. A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

Apple has also updated the AirTag's packaging, using a redesigned box with a narrower overall shape and updated front artwork. The printed text on the new box appears slightly raised via UV printing, and it now features paper adhesive pull tabs. Inside the box, the cardboard insert containing the AirTags is now simpler, with a single paper latch holding a lid over the tray of AirTags, which now sit as a row of four. In the original packaging, the AirTags sat in a doubled over folio in rows of two.

Article Link: Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 Is Full of Hidden Changes

 

[Mike Wolf]

Personally, I’m waiting for Apple to roll out a software update to change that Find My chime on Apple devices to also be in the note of G.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I smell a conspiracy. Where is the space for the 5G chip they removed at the last minute?

 

[jarman92]

Despite the removal of the speaker coil and magnet, the device was still able to connect to his iPhone, indicating that Apple has not introduced a firmware-level lockout or alert triggered by physical modifications.

Weird, I wonder why? Seems like a no-brainer.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I like how something that MUST be due to anti-tampering efforts absolutely doesn’t affect tampering. 🙂

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Personally, I’m waiting for Apple to roll out a software update to change that Find My chime on Apple devices to also be in the note of G.

It already is on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, has been for a number of years

 

[Mike Wolf]

It already is on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, has been for a number of years

You’re right. I got curious and did some testing. The iPhone and iPad is G5, the Apple Watch is G6, the new AirTag is G7, and the old AirTag is F7. I don’t have a Mac to test but for parity I’ll assume G5 as well.

 

[Mike Wolf]

Weird, I wonder why? Seems like a no-brainer.

Maybe in a future software/firmware update?

 

[CarAnalogy]

They need to update the sound it makes. It varies in pitch and volume which unnecessarily makes it harder to find.

 

[surfzen21]

I hope they start to sell customized tones at 0.99 cents per tone 🙃

 

[Veinticinco]

Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 Is Full of Hidden Changes​

After pairing the device to an iPhone, the sound the AirTag emits is a "slightly higher pitch" compared to the original. A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

Apple has also updated the AirTag's packaging, using a redesigned box with a narrower overall shape and updated front artwork. The printed text on the new box appears slightly raised via UV printing, and it now features paper adhesive pull tabs. Inside the box, the cardboard insert containing the AirTags is now simpler, with a single paper latch holding a lid over the tray of AirTags, which now sit as a row of four. In the original packaging, the AirTags sat in a doubled over folio in rows of two.

Revolutionary stuff. Sorry, is this a parody article?

 

[Veinticinco]

This product release really epitomises what a developmental wasteland Apple has become.

Imagine you’re a hardware engineer assigned to the AirTag team. After 5 long years of sweat, blood and tears, finally you give birth to this Mk2 version. It’s laughable.

 

[Beeneeord]

> A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

LOL. Also to someone only loosely related to music these feel a lot like Dr Evil air quotes.

 

[headlessmike]

You’re right. I got curious and did some testing. The iPhone and iPad is G5, the Apple Watch is G6, the new AirTag is G7, and the old AirTag is F7. I don’t have a Mac to test but for parity I’ll assume G5 as well.

A few more AirTag updates and we’ll have an entire scale!

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Weird, I wonder why? Seems like a no-brainer.

Speakers are incredibly power intensive components because they have to physically move. In order to implement speaker detection in any meaningful way would probably come with significantly decreased battery life.

 

[jarman92]

Speakers are incredibly power intensive components because they have to physically move. In order to implement speaker detection in any meaningful way would probably come with significantly decreased battery life.

How so? Seems like they could do exactly what they do with the MacBook camera—power the board and speaker in series so if the speaker is gone/doesn’t have power then neither does the board.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I’m glad they kept the same size for the sake of accessories

 

[JeziLondon]

The text on the back of the new AirTag is not all in caps!!

 

[svish]

Always good to see these teardown videos. With regard to packaging, Apple will be making changes to achieve the 2030 goals.

 

[Nozgog]

Nice teardown but what Bluetooth chip is inside?

 

[M-Life]

A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

Jan 28th and we already have a candidate for MacRumors quote of the year.

 

[Howard2k]

I was on the fence, but now that it's upgraded from F to G I think I'm going to go for it. This seems like a worthwhile and important upgrade.

 

[NCPine]

The audio "tune" it plays sounds cool, but it is not ideal for spatial location of an item. A simple beeping at a constant interval and the same frequency would make them easier to locate.

 

[Zenman12]

I’m wondering what Bluetooth version. Ugh. So frustrating.

 

[klasma]

Orchestras using AirTags for tuning will be caught off-guard.