Motorola’s latest tracker makes AirTags look downright archaic

On the ongoing CES consumer electronics trade show for 2026, Motorola has taken the wraps off its much-anticipated Moto Tag 2 monitoring peripheral. Serving because the quick successor to the original Moto Tag from 2024, this second-generation improve brings a number of notable enhancements and enhancements to the desk over its predecessor.

Beginning off with inside upgrades, the Moto Tag 2 retains the unique era’s ultra-wideband (UWB) assist, whereas making the soar from Bluetooth 5.4 to the newer Bluetooth 6.0 standard. The {hardware} package deal is extra energy-efficient, too, with a single 3V CR2032 button-style battery cell capable of energy the gadget for as much as 500 days — a 35 p.c enchancment in stamina when in comparison with the unique Moto Tag.

Externally, the Moto Tag 2 retains the identical bodily chassis as earlier than, all the way down to an identical dimensions and an unchanged design language. The multi-purpose button for pairing / resetting / remotely snapping photographs / making your telephone ring remains to be current right here, however the water resistance has been upgraded from IP67 (permitting for submersion into contemporary water of as much as 3.3 toes (1 meter) for as much as half-hour) to a more robust IP68 rating (permitting for submersion into contemporary water of as much as 4.92 toes (1.5 meters) for as much as half-hour) this time round.

“Whether or not customers are frequent flyers, day by day commuters or full-time college students, they’ll rely upon the tag’s Extremely-Wideband and channel-sounding know-how to assist discover misplaced gadgets, IP68 water and dirt resistance for defense in opposition to the weather, and greater than 500 days value of battery life,” says Motorola.

The addition of Bluetooth 6.0 is supplemented with Channel Sounding assist for improved monitoring prowess, which works hand-in-hand with UWB to theoretically make the Moto Tag 2 probably the most correct tracker out there on Android. In fact, to make the most of UWB, you may want an Android telephone suitable with the know-how, which limits the out there choices to high-end flagships from Google, Samsung, and, in fact, Motorola.

In the interim, the Moto Tag 2 has solely been showcased in a single laurel oak colorway, which seems to be to be a beige-esque impartial hue. There is no official phrase on pricing or availability, however Motorola says extra particulars will arrive “within the coming months.” Whereas the corporate hasn’t outright said that there is no Apple Find My integration for iPhone compatibility, it is probably that the product will comply with in its predecessor’s footsteps and work solely throughout the Android ecosystem.

Motorola one-ups the competitors

Apple’s AirTag, in the meantime, is beginning to really feel lengthy within the tooth

The unique Moto Tag was an enormous deal when it launched, because it was the primary mainstream monitoring gadget for Android that shipped with UWB connectivity. In fact, it is taken a while for Android’s Find Hub platform to catch up and assist UWB, however subsequent updates from each Google and Motorola have unlocked the more advanced tracking know-how in current months. With the precise Android telephone, the Moto tag can now supply far more exact distance and site estimations than it may when it relied solely on Bluetooth at launch.

With the Moto Tag 2, Motorola is popping up the warmth with considerably higher battery life, state-of-the-art connectivity integration, and a extra rugged construct. Actually, when it launches, the Moto Tag 2 will beat the pants out of Apple’s AirTag tracker for iPhone, which has lengthy been heralded as probably the greatest tracker merchandise within the enterprise. For comparability, the AirTag has an IP67 water and dirt resistance score, with a battery life of roughly a 12 months.

Rumors have long been swirling a few second-generation AirTag launch from Apple, and I reckon the corporate higher spring into motion now that opponents like Motorola should not solely catching up, however exceeding the AirTag’s efficiency metrics and specs. Whereas it is true that Google’s Discover Hub for Android has skilled some teething pains in terms of deployment, and that not as many Android telephones assist UWB as iPhone fashions do, I am simply glad Motorola is keen to step up and supply a tracker that may do all of it — as long as you are keen to pay for the value of entry.