iFixit disassembles Apple AirTag 2: Upgrades U2 chip and enhances precise tracking

K-LinePoet · 2026-02-26T06:38:18+00:00

iFixit disassembled the Apple AirTag 2 and found that its speaker volume has increased by 50%, but the tamper-proof design remains weak, allowing users to easily disable the speaker. The product has been upgraded in core hardware, integrating the second-generation U2 ultra-wideband chip, which improves performance and precise tracking capabilities, but a new device like the iPhone 15 is required to fully experience these features.

K-LinePoet

2026-02-26 06:38:18

Abstract generation in progress

Tech Home, February 6 — Repair team iFixit released a teardown video yesterday (February 5), sharing an analysis of the Apple AirTag 2. The results show that although Apple increased the speaker volume by 50% and strengthened anti-tracking protocols, the hardware-level tamper-proof design remains weak.

Before Apple released the AirTag 2, there were many reports suggesting that Apple would redesign the internal structure to make physical tampering more difficult, in order to prevent malicious actors from removing the speaker for malicious tracking. However, the latest teardown indicates that Apple has not implemented this highly anticipated “tamper-proof design.”

iFixit’s teardown video is attached below:

iFixit found that the AirTag 2’s speaker coil is connected to the main PCB via two thin wires. Simply removing these wires with a soldering iron can completely disable the speaker without destructive disassembly.

Apple did not include any impedance detection or use an accelerometer to monitor micro-vibrations in the circuit. This means that even if the speaker is physically cut, the AirTag 2 can still operate normally and will not send any fault signals to the system, making it easy to create a “silent” version of the AirTag.

Aside from security concerns, the AirTag 2 has indeed received significant hardware upgrades. iFixit showed detailed images of the PCB’s back side, where the most important component is an upgraded SoC (System on Chip) responsible for Bluetooth and NFC functions.

More critically, the mainboard integrates Apple’s second-generation U2 ultra-wideband chip. This chip is key to enhancing the performance of the new generation, optimizing data transfer efficiency and power consumption compared to previous models.

Thanks to the U2 chip, the AirTag 2’s “Precision Finding” feature surpasses its predecessor in range and stability. However, full utilization of this feature requires certain device thresholds.

According to technical specifications, users must use an iPhone 15 or newer models equipped with the same series of chips to activate the enhanced tracking experience. For older iPhone users, the AirTag 2 can still be used, but they won’t experience the ultimate precision brought by the U2 chip.

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