Apple’s much-anticipated entry into the smart tracker market is finally here with the AirTag. This compact device is designed to help you keep track of your frequently misplaced items, and it boasts a wide range of use cases, from securing your backpack to safeguarding your bicycle or handbag. Keys and wallets, often atop the list of items we frequently misplace, can also benefit from the AirTag’s tracking capabilities.
The development of the AirTag has been a topic of speculation for over two years, signaling Apple’s commitment to crafting a product that truly delivers on its promises.
Apple has placed a strong emphasis on privacy in the design of the AirTag. We’ll delve deeper into this aspect shortly.
The AirTag excels in its primary role: accurately tracking your belongings. While it’s not a casual purchase, requiring certain accessories and an iPhone, it offers many impressive features. Nonetheless, it faces competition from Tile, a well-established brand in the lost-and-found community. In this review, we’ll determine whether the AirTag is a worthwhile investment.
The Apple AirTag showcases a design reminiscent of a compact coin, albeit with a slightly thicker profile that prevents it from slipping into your wallet with ease. Despite its thickness, it impressively weighs just 11 grams, making it exceptionally lightweight for a tracking device. The AirTag’s top side features a sleek silver finish adorned with an engraved Apple logo, as well as other essential details such as “Designed by Apple in California,” “AirTag,” “Bluetooth LE,” “Ultra-Wideband,” and “Assembled in China.” Apple has meticulously etched and polished this silver covering, enhancing its appeal.
The opposing white side of the AirTag remains unmarked, resembling a large coat button, with a simplicity that is both elegant and functional. Removing the AirTag is a breeze, and replacing the battery is a straightforward process.
The AirTag boasts compact dimensions, measuring just 1.26 inches in diameter and a mere 8mm in thickness. This form factor bears a striking resemblance to the five-rupee coin in India, offering a sense of familiarity. However, in terms of overall size, the AirTag slightly surpasses the dimensions of the new Rs 20 coin.
Upon closer inspection, the AirTag evokes the image of a rounded spaceship, with a size akin to Ant-Man, a character from the Marvel Universe. Interestingly, the design also draws inspiration from Apple’s architectural masterpiece—the “spaceship” campus known as Apple Park, located in Cupertino. The AirTag’s design reflects Apple’s commitment to combining form and function in an elegant manner.
The Apple AirTag comes equipped with a CR2032 battery, a common battery unit used by numerous devices, ensuring convenient and accessible replacements for users. This user-friendly feature allows individuals to replace the battery themselves, eliminating the need for specialized assistance.
The AirTag’s design comprises three integral components. The primary tracker resides within the shiny silver housing, while the internal placement holder and the white cover complete the trio. The silver housing hosts the U1 processor, known for its precision tracking capabilities for users with iPhone 11 and above models. Additionally, it accommodates a compact speaker responsible for emitting ping alerts.
While the AirTag boasts a well-thought-out design, there is one feature that some users may find missing—a lanyard hole. The absence of a lanyard hole limits the attachment options for the AirTag. However, a wide range of third-party accessories are now available to address this issue, offering users greater flexibility.
Apple provides a selection of official AirTag accessories, including the AirTag Loop priced at Rs 2,990. However, the challenge lies in the pricing of these official accessories, which often approach the cost of a single AirTag unit, priced at Rs 3,190. To address this concern, users can explore alternative, cost-effective options on platforms like Amazon, which offers a variety of affordable alternatives, ensuring a more budget-friendly experience.
Apple has incorporated IP67 water and dust resistance into the AirTag, enhancing its long-term durability. However, despite this ruggedness, the device’s shiny silver side is susceptible to scratches. A day of sharing pockets with coins and keys resulted in noticeable scratches. Users must understand that the AirTag’s primary purpose is to locate lost items, so minor scratches may not be a significant concern.
The AirTag sets a remarkable standard for the setup process, showcasing a user-friendly and straightforward approach. Activating the AirTag is as simple as removing it from the box, pulling out the battery tab, and placing it near an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14.5. The AirTag is also compatible with iPod touch and iPad.
When the AirTag is brought near the compatible iPhone, a pop-up appears on the screen, allowing users to tap “Connect” and follow the on-screen instructions. Users can select from a list of pre-filled item names, such as backpack, bike, camera, and more, or customize the name or use an emoji. Once configured, the AirTag is linked to the user’s Apple ID.
Apple has taken precision finding to the next level compared to competitors like Tile. The AirTag leverages ultra-wideband technology for proximity finding, offering users with iPhone 11 or later devices access to the Precision Finding feature. This feature calculates distance and provides users with precise visual, haptic, and audio directions to guide them to their lost items. The ultra-wideband technology enhances the tracking experience.
In India, Apple utilizes TomTom’s open street map in the Find My app, recognizing the limitations of Apple Maps in the region. During testing, the Find My app efficiently located the AirTag within the home environment. In the event of losing an AirTag, the app displays the last known location until Lost Mode is activated.
Apple’s AirTag relies on the Find My network to enhance tracking efficiency. The AirTag emits a secure Bluetooth signal that is detected by devices within the Find My network. When received by any iPhone, iPad, or Mac belonging to the network, these devices send the AirTag’s location to iCloud, resulting in a seamless and secure tracking process. Users receive notifications when their AirTag is found, enabling them to view its location on a map through the Find My app.
In conclusion, the Apple AirTag excels as a compact and lightweight tracking device with an easy setup process. Its IP67 water and dust resistance make it durable, although its shiny side is prone to scratches. The precision finding feature, leveraging ultra-wideband technology, sets it apart from competitors, offering exceptional accuracy in locating lost items. The Find My network enhances tracking efficiency, and the seamless setup process further elevates the user experience. Despite minor limitations, like the cost of original accessories, the AirTag is a valuable tool for those looking to keep track of frequently misplaced items while maintaining privacy and security.
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