Apple's AirTag is finally available for pre-order, but you may want to hold off on purchasing one as many reviewers have criticized the device for its abrasiveness

The AirTag was unveiled at this week's Apple Spring Loaded event along with the iPad Pro 2021, iMac 2021, and the new Apple TV The $29 gizmo with ultra-wideband connectivity is lightweight, compact, and can be engraved with any text or emoji you like However, its plastic and chrome surfaces are susceptible to scratches and dings, so you may want to think twice before ordering

Dieter Bohn of The Verge tweeted a photo of his AirTag with numerous scratches These were on it after only "a few hours of handling" He adds that while the usage is not "excessive" and some wear and tear is to be expected, the timeframe it took for the tracker to get to this state is "pretty weird!" He adds

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee agrees, and has published a photo of his own similarly scratched AirTag with the caption "major same" The scratched AirTag can be seen below

Of course, one can opt for a case for the tracker, but the design still leaves the chrome and plastic bare Bearing in mind that some people will use the tracker on a keychain (as demonstrated in Apple's AirTag ad), scratches and scuffs from the metal will be unavoidable However, given that Apple knows the intended use of the AirTag, one might expect the unit to hold up a bit better

Considering the price of other trackers on the market, the AirTag is one of the cheapest, which is even more impressive given that it has both Bluetooth and UWB; the Tile Mate is the cheapest and has only Bluetooth connectivity; the Tile Mate is the most expensive and has only Bluetooth connectivity

Realistically, no one should expect the AirTag to remain in pristine condition for long Even more so for those who want to keep track of their pointy metal keys The case may offer some protection, but if you are considering reserving it, you need to accept the reality that you will be carrying around a battered Apple product from the start

The Apple AirTag is available for pre-order now and will be available on April 30 for $29 apiece or $99 for a four-pack