True they don't contain a GPS chip.I don't think AirPods have GPS.
I don't think even the smallest GPS module is bigger than an AirPod not counting the antenna, also not considering the power requirements or that you'd need a GPS module in each AirPod because finding only one is pointless.
After that he lost me.
But you can activate "lost" mode in the "Find My" app on your phone and when the Airpods are then connected to a different phone, their location will be shown.