Samsung Galaxy tag. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus review

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus makes finding lost items a snap

Laptop Mag Verdict

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag Plus tracker uses a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wide Band communications to help find lost items with a dash of augmented reality effects for good measure.

Pros

• Ultra-Wide Band and Bluetooth tracking
• Hole for keyring or luggage tag
• Augmented reality special effects
• Lots of customization potential

Cons

• – Ultra-Wide Band tracking requires recent Samsung phone
• – Bigger, heavier and more expensive than other tags
• – Short battery life

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Size: 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.4 inches Weight: 0.5 ounce Range: 105-feet Battery: Replaceable CR2032

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus performs magic for the forgetful among us by tracking where the tag and your stuff end up. By employing a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technologies, the tag’s app can direct you to where the lost item is, show it on your phone’s screen, and it has the bonus of an augmented reality view when you’re close enough to touch it.

But at 40 each, the SmartTag Plus is more expensive than the competition, has a short battery life, and requires a recent Samsung phone to use the UWB effects. Still, the SmartTag Plus devices are a good way to track missing tagged items, regardless of whether they’re under a bed, stuck in a couch or left at a restaurant.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus pricing and availability

Samsung’s SmartTag Plus is available online at a variety of stores for 40 for a single tag or two for 65. They come in Black and Denim Blue. Samsung also sells the original SmartTag that uses Bluetooth (but not Ultra-Wide Band) technology to locate lost items; these sell for 30 each. You can compare that to the Apple AirTags which cost 29 each or four for 99. Tile products cost between 25 (for the Mate) and 35 (for the Pro).

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus design

Like the original Galaxy SmartTag, the SmartTag Plus is square-shaped with rounded corners, but is slightly larger at 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.4 inches. The tags are roughly twice as large as the coin-sized Apple AirTags and much thicker than the Tile Mate tags.

At half an ounce, the SmartTag Plus is also heavier than the competition with the AirTag weighing in at 0.39 ounces, which is 22% lighter. Still, the SmartTag Plus easily fits into a along with a set of keys, but it’s likely too thick for stashing in a wallet.

Made of polycarbonate plastic, the SmartTag Plus’s case has a textured surface, but lacks the flash of the AirTag’s mirror-like finish. Its matte surface and muted colors are aesthetically pleasing if a little understated. It’s not a fashion statement like the AirTag, which means you can’t engrave images or initials into it. However, that matte, textured surface should be more scratch-resistant.

Similar to its predecessor, the SmartTag Plus has a corner hole for attaching a keyring or an easy-to-lose umbrella. While you might need to supply a ball chain or carabiner to attach the tag to a bag or umbrella, it won’t spawn the accessory ecosystem necessary for the AirTag.

The SmartTag Plus has something that AirTags don’t: a button on top. This allows the SmartTag Plus to signal a lost phone, trigger home automation devices, and even send an emergency text alert.

Like the AirTag, the SmartTag Plus uses a CR2032 battery, but rather than Apple’s claim of a year of use, Samsung says the same battery should last only five months. That adds up to more than twice as many annoying battery changes during its life. As you’ll soon see, when I was setting up a SmartTag Plus, its battery was nearly dead and I needed to replace it to continue configuring the device. The replacement battery only cost a few dollars and took a minute to change, but it was an annoyance I would rather have avoided.

With an IP53 rating, the tag is more susceptible to damage from water or dust than the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 I used, which carries an IP68 rating. It should be OK to take the SmartTag Plus out in the rain or to the beach, but it can’t stand up to being submerged in water. In other words, leave it onshore when swimming. By contrast, the AirTag’s IP67 rating means it can survive being submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus: How it works

The SmartTag Plus joins Apple’s AirTag as the only trackers that use a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology to uncover your tag (and attached gear). Close up, the tag is located using ultra-precise UWB transmissions but as you get farther away from the tag, Bluetooth takes over.

The SmartTag Plus is powered by a disposable CR2032 battery that Samsung rates to last 5 months of typical use. That’s less than half as long as Apple’s AirTags that use the same battery. In other words, plan on spending some time changing the SmartTag Plus’s battery. Happily, it takes less than a minute to change the battery. Here’s how.

Start by prying open the case with a dime or flat blade screwdriver.

Next, pop the old battery out. It might take a pencil point to pry it out.

Finally place the new battery in the slot with the “” side up. When the electrical connection is made, the tag plays a tune.

Finish by squeezing the SmartTag Plus’s case between your fingers to snap the case shut. All done.

A key update to the Samsung SmartThings Find interface overlays the live output of your phone’s video camera on top of the direction-finding interface. This can make finding the tag easier. Each phone can track up to 200 SmartTags, which seems like overkill; iPhones are limited to tracking 16 AirTags.

Just as AirTags require an iPhone 12 to use UWB technology, the SmartTag Plus’s UWB technology requires a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, Note 20 Ultra or S21 phone. Otherwise, the phone relies exclusively on the tag’s Bluetooth signal for location finding. Future Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets will likely have UWB tracking. By contrast, AirTags can also work with a MacBook, although only in Bluetooth mode. Neither Apple nor Samsung can touch the variety of consumer devices that have integrated Tile modules, like the HP Elite Dragonfly and SkullCandy earbuds, making them nearly impossible to lose.

Even though the SmartTag Plus transmits over public airwaves, the data is encrypted similar to the AirTag. This can prevent a hacker from using another phone to track you and your tag. The tag’s encryption key is periodically shuffled to prevent opening a security hole in the tag and your phone. What’s missing is compatibility between Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy SmartTag devices. You can neither track an AirTag with a Galaxy phone, nor the other way around.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus setup

Starting with a fresh tag next to my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra phone, I scrolled to the Find part of the SmartThings app. After pressing the SmartTag Plus’s button, the tag made a trilling sound and the “New Device Found” window popped up.

I tapped “Add Now” and agreed to Samsung’s software license, followed by tapping “Start”. The phone connected with the SmartTag Plus and registered it with my Samsung account. I finished by attaching it to my keychain and naming the tag: “keys”.

Next up, the tag wanted to update its firmware, but its battery was nearly dead. Luckily, I had a fresh CR2032 cell and quickly swapped it out (see “Swapping a SmartTag Plus’s Battery”). Later, I set up a second tag for my briefcase (aka “bag”), which I have been known to leave all over Manhattan. I encountered no problems.

When finished, the Find’s map shows the tag’s location. Start to finish, including the unanticipated battery change, it took 10 minutes for both tags.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus performance

I spent two weeks using a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra phone and the SmartTags to play lost and found with tagged items. After stashing one in an obscure place in my house, yard or car, I would hunt for it. There was no need to simulate losing things because the SmartTag Plus ecosystem twice helped bring my lost keys back from a parallel universe. The tags were reliable and lowered the frustration level in my life.

As was the case with the original SmartTag, the SmartTag Plus has an exceptional range. In my 100-year old house, it stayed in contact with my Note 20 Ultra phone for 105-feet, five feet short of the original SmartTag’s 110-foot range, but more than three times farther than the AirTag’s 29-foot range. This translates to the SmartTag Plus being able to start finding a tag from just about any place in my house. The AirTag’s shorter range means that I needed to know what part of the house to start my search.

Whenever the phone and tag are within range, I got the tag to play its annoying tune, helping locate it and my stuff. In addition to two volume settings, SmartTag Plus has the choice of 10 tunes that are the equivalent of early ringtones. AirTags have neither of these options.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus search nearby

Like the Tile Mate and Apple AirTag, the SmartTag Plus has short and long-range modes that automatically kick in. The UWB-based Search Nearby mode took over at a distance of about 20-feet from the tag, although Samsung engineers say that it works as far as 49 feet depending on obstructions, like walls. Beyond that, the tag relied on Bluetooth location finding. It uses the original SmartTag’s green horseshoe indicator that filled in clockwise as I was getting hotter and displayed the distance on the top. At any time, I could have started the tag’s annoying music to help find it.

As I moved the phone around, it responded with helpful location hints, like “Signal Getting Stronger.” As the UWB technology took over from Bluetooth, it prompted me to try turning left or right to calibrate the sensors to help get a bead on the tag.

That’s just the start because the app can integrate video using augmented reality technology. After tapping the app’s “Find Using Camera” button, the camera’s view of the search area was overlaid with a helpful arrowhead pointing to the tag. The phone also provided haptic pulses that got more intense as I got closer to the tag, though it’s not as precise as the AirTag’s right and left pulses.

When I was a few feet away, the app went bonkers with an augmented reality show. Green dots swirled around the screen celebrating that the tag was within reach. It’s a nice demonstration of the technology and a treat but tends toward a showy overindulgence.

The SmartTag Plus has a couple more tricks up its digital sleeve that AirTag devices can’t touch. Press the SmartTag Plus’s button twice and the phone it’s connected to plays a tune. This came in handy when, unbeknownst to me, my phone fell under the car seat on a road trip. After freaking out, I let my keychain SmartTag Plus ping it, making the phone easy to find.

Samsung’s tags can send a prewritten text alert from your phone, making it the equivalent of an emergency beacon for the disabled or elderly. It can also turn home automation devices, like light bulbs and power outlets on or off.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus offline finding

Similar to Apple and Tile technology, once your phone is out of Bluetooth range, crowdsourcing takes over. It works with any owner of a recent Samsung Galaxy phone who has registered and agreed to help find the tags of others. Like AirTags, if there’re no responding phones in the area, you’re out of luck.

I started by enabling Offline finding in the phone’s Biometrics and Security screen; there’s also a way to do it from the SmartThings Find interface. That way, when a stranger’s phone encounters the tag’s signal, its location is securely sent to Samsung’s servers without them ever knowing about it. The data is then relayed to my phone where it shows up on the Find map with the explanation “Spotted by a nearby Galaxy device.”

To try it out, I “accidentally” left my tagged keys on a bench at a local train station and watched from afar. Within three minutes, the tag registered on the SmartThings Find’s map as “Spotted by a nearby Galaxy device.” I zoomed in on its exact location and retrieved the tag. If I were farther away, I could have used Google maps to navigate me there.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus security

Tag tracking involves a lot of data flying back and forth. Fortunately, Samsung has built security in from the start. The tags not only encrypt the location data so nobody can tap into the SmartTag Plus’s data stream, but the app randomizes the ID and encryption keys every 15 minutes for an additional layer of safety.

On the other hand, if a stalker drops a SmartTag Plus into your bag or car, they might have the ability to see where you are and have been. The recently added Unknown Tag Search part of the SmartThings app allowed me to scan the area for tags that aren’t registered to me. This effectively creates a creep shield.

It took a minute for the app to scan for foreign tags and it couldn’t find any at my home. Later, while out, it did find one nearby, though it was not surreptitiously left in my car to track me. The software is still in beta and included with the SmartThings interface.

Unfortunately, the SmartTag Plus stops short of lifting the owner’s information (if it’s entered) by using the Near Field Communications (NFC) abilities of a phone and there’s no requirement that the tag periodically reconnects with its host phone. AirTags do both of these security-related tasks.

Bottom line

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag Plus is a big step up from the original SmartTag tracking devices. It incorporates Ultra-Wide Band communication to help locate the tag and shows it on a phone’s map. Perfect for keys, a flash drive or luggage, the SmartTag Plus can be directly attached to a keyring or object so you won’t need to buy expensive accessories. The SmartTag Plus offers more customization options, the ability to ping your phone if it gets lost, and integrates video while searching. It also rewards you with augmented reality special effects when you find your tag.

As good as the SmartTag Plus is, it is not only bigger and heavier than both Apple’s AirTag or Tile’s Mate. And the SmartTag Plus’s IP53 durability rating falls short of the AirTag. Then, there’s the battery, which Samsung says should last for five months compared to Apple’s 1-year estimate for the AirTag’s battery. Finally, the UWB technology only works with recent Samsung phones: the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Note 20 Ultra or S21 models. Older models can only use Bluetooth location.

At 40 each, the SmartTag Plus costs 10 more than an AirTag, but it’s worth it if you have a recent Samsung Galaxy phone and you’re the forgetful type. The SmartTag Plus has given me the peace of mind that comes with the ability to quickly lay my hands on any tagged item.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is a handy-dandy Bluetooth tracker that keeps track of your stuff

Tom’s Guide Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is an excellent way to keep the important items at your fingertips.

Pros

• Compact size
• Connects to Samsung SmartThings app
• Can control other Smart devices and routines
• Long battery life

Cons

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Price: 29.99 Listed Range: 390 feet Tested Range: 225 feet Water resistant? IP53 Battery: Replaceable CR2032ea Colors: Black, white Size: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 0.3 ounces

If you consider yourself a forgetful type, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag might just be the godsend you’ve been waiting for. From wallets to keychains to finicky pets, we all lose stuff from time to time, and Samsung has your back with its smarter-than-average key finder, which uses a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chip to keep all your valuables under your thumb — or at least nearby.

At 29.99 per SmartTag, the entry fee may well be worth the price of future-you getting locked out of your apartment after rushing from one social activity to the next, or losing your backpack while you’re out on the town. (Once you’ve been fully vaccinated, of course.)

Our Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review reveals a long-lasting tracker that ranks among the best key finders thanks to its extended range and compact design.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review: Price

At 29, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag falls right in the middle of what you’d pay for a key finder. The discount Tile Mate costs less, at 25; the class-leading Tile Pro is more expensive at 35. The new Apple AirTag also costs 29.

It’s worth noting that Samsung makes two Galaxy SmartTag devices. It’s the Galaxy SmartTag Plus that includes Ultra Wideband connectivity to go with Bluetooth, and it use your phone’s rear-facing camera to help guide you to your SmartTag; you will need to use a Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold2 with the SmartTag Plus, which costs 10 more than the standard model.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review: Design and features

Measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.4 inches, the Galaxy SmartTag is the perfect size for a skipping stone (especially with those sleek rounded edges), but at just 0.4 ounces, you may want to keep it on your keychain instead. Or on your backpack clip. Or a dog collar. Or a purse handle. Or even inside your wallet, if you feel like channeling your inner George Costanza.

Samsung’s gadget comes in black or white, unlike the Tile Pro, which now has five color choices total. Like the Tile Pro and the Apple AirTag, Samsung’s tracker uses a CR2032 battery, which Samsung says will last about a year before you need to replace it.

The Galaxy SmartTag has an IP53 rating for water resistance, which means it can handle the occasional splash if you get caught in the rain. In my testing, such drippage never affected the tracker’s performance.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review: Set up

Getting started with the Galaxy SmartTag reminded me of just how robust Samsung’s ecosystem has become over the past decade. It took less than 10 minutes to pair my new bluetooth tracker with the Samsung SmartThings app on my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This included downloading the complementary Find app, which unlocks the primary functionality of this device.

If you encounter a glitch, or want to pair the SmartTag to a new phone, you can perform a quick reset by first removing the device from your SmartThings app, and then removing the battery from the SmartTag.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review: SmartThings App

How Smart can a Bluetooth tracker get, exactly? To answer that, look no further than the aforementioned SmartThings app, which is designed to streamline accessibility between all of your Smart home devices. By default, you’ll find your new SmartTag tracker in the app’s On the Go section as you scroll down. From here, you can change the ringtone and volume of the SmartTag; check the device’s battery status; and set up various automations for when you press or hold down the SmartTag’s lone button. You can rename your SmartTag, too, which is handy if you have several trackers to keep. err, track of.

To try out the automation feature, I set up my SmartTag to control my Smart lights; I have a Philips Hue lamp in my living room named “Me.” So now, when I press and hold the SmartTag button, I can turn Me on and off at will. (Which isn’t quite the same as shouting, “Hey Google, turn Me on!” when I need some extra light, but still equally useful.) I have a few Smart plugs around my home, too, so I plan on using the SmartTag to control my air conditioner this summer.

When you desperately need to find your stuff, though, the SmartThings Find app also happens to be where it’s at. From here, you can ping your SmartTag (using one of 10 different tones); search for the tracker nearby (the app lets you know if the Bluetooth signal is weak or strong); and even navigate to it via Google Maps.

The “Search nearby” button is useful if you’ve misplaced your SmartTag around the home; a circular gauge lets you know if you’re getting warmer or cooler as you hunt around. In my testing, all of these features worked well, and the SmartTag’s ringer is loud enough; I tossed my keys under a pile of laundry in my bedroom, and I could clearly hear it beeping from across my apartment. In general, if your phone is close enough to pick up a Bluetooth signal, you’ll probably be close enough to hear your SmartTag.

For an additional layer of security (and privacy), you have the option of encrypting your phone’s offline location when it’s sent to Find My Mobile by other devices, and only you can decrypt it.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag: How it performs

I clipped the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag to my keychain, and used it for a month. As a (hyperactive) freelance writer in New York City, I have an exceptionally eclectic lifestyle, and am constantly using mobile tech to lifehack my workday. It’s easy to misplace stuff in my apartment or around the city.- sometimes for good.- and losing my keys is one of my pet peeves. (My super doesn’t love it, either.) Plus, as a longtime Samsung Galaxy user, adding another Samsung device to my increasingly smarter home just makes sense. Which is good, since SmartTags are only compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones, Android OS 8.0 or higher.

My apartment has roughly 800 square feet of living space, and as I tested out the SmartTag, my phone never had a problem picking up a Bluetooth signal in the often-cluttered abode. I’m constantly misplacing my keys or phone (or both) throughout any given day, but now, since either device can find the other, I honestly have more peace of mind knowing my stuff is nearby and easy to find, even if it’s out of eyesight. A quick double-squeeze on the SmartTag activates the default alarm on your phone until you find it, and this worked flawlessly in my testing, similar to the Tile Pro.

Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is pretty darn good at keeping track of anything it’s tethered to. My keys are attached to a rock climbing carabiner, and once I added the SmartTag to the mix, locating my backpack at a moment’s notice was easy, too.

Over the past month, the SmartTag truly saved my bacon on two specific occasions. During the first, I had my keys inside a running pouch during a bike ride; the pouch slipped out of my and onto the street as I biked around Brooklyn one afternoon. By the time I realized the running pouch was gone, I was roughly a mile away from it.

I only knew that because of the SmartTag, which helped me retrace my steps via the SmartThings Find app, even though by then, my phone had lost the Bluetooth signal entirely. Sure enough, and much to my relief, I found the running pouch on the side of the street, within three blocks of where it originally lost my phone’s signal. My Apple Airpods Pros were in that running pouch, too, by the way, so I was pretty overjoyed to get all my possessions back.

Another time, I left my keys on the cashier’s counter at a local deli, and didn’t realize my error until I was literally standing in front of my apartment building 20 minutes later with empty s where my keys normally are. Fortunately, I remembered that my keys are attached to technology now. Whew!

When I pulled up SmartThings Find on my phone, I quickly discovered that my SmartTag had been “Spotted by nearby Galaxy device,” which means it piggybacked off a nearby Galaxy user who happened to have their Bluetooth on at the same deli counter. And while this feature is great in major metropolitan areas for scatterbrained space cadets who leave their keys at deli counters, it’s still a solid use of the gadget’s encrypted tech.

To test out the SmartTag’s general Bluetooth range, I took it to Prospect Park and hung it on a fence as I walked across an open field. As I strolled away, I kept an eye on the SmartThings Find app to see when my phone lost the SmartTag’s signal, which was at around 250 feet. (The longer my keys stayed in one place, the more stable their signal appeared on the app.) This is far short of the rated 390-foot range, but similar to the Tile Pro’s 200-plus-foot range. Unless you’re a narcoleptic groundskeeper, this digital perimeter should help you find your valuables in a flash.

Samsung SmartTag review: Verdict

If you’re a Samsung Galaxy phone user and your train of thought is perpetually leaving the station, having a SmartTag (or two, or three) around your home is a great way to keep track of your keys, phone, and other easy-to-lose valuables.The 30 Samsung charges is a small price to pay for the extra piece of mind, and if you already have a variety of Smart devices connected to your phone, the ability to trigger home routines at the touch of a button is an extremely practical touch.

In short, there’s a lot to like about the simplistic Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, and who knows? It might come in handier than you think.

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Samsung Galaxy SmartTag review

Samsung introduced the SmartTag and SmartTag at the start of the year. Now they’re here, how do they stand up to their main tracker rivals? We find out.

Cons

• Requires specific Samsung Galaxy phone models
• Weaker battery than rivals
• No separation alerts

Our Verdict

An easy buy for entrenched Samsung Galaxy users, but a tougher sell for those willing to consider the wider tracker market; not to mention a no-go for those with iPhones or other Android phones.

Samsung extended its long-standing SmartThings IoT platform in late 2020 to include SmartThings Find, opening up new location-based finding possibilities for compatible Galaxy-branded products; from phones to earbuds and wearables. Fast-forward to the introduction of the Galaxy S21 range during the first half of 2021 and we also met the company’s new SmartTag line – a duo of trackers that let you leverage the full might of the ever-growing SmartThings Find network, with both general and precise finding abilities, as well as richer interaction with other elements of the SmartThings ecosystem.

Designed to take on trackers from established rivals such as Tile and newcomers from Apple, Samsung’s SmartTag and SmartTag serve up varying degrees of finding ability to help you keep tabs on your prized possessions, pets or people (with their permission, of course). It’s worth stating right at the outset that the SmartTag works only with Samsung phones. That’s just like the AirTag: it’s useless if you don’t have an iPhone. So if you don’t own a Samsung phone, you’ll need to read our guide to the best Bluetooth trackers to find an alternative.

Design build

Both SmartTags take the form of rounded, pillowed diamonds, with a hole at one corner to allow for the likes of a keyring, lace or clip (making them more convenient to attach to things than Apple’s AirTags out-the-box).

The lightly textured plastic finish isn’t too slippery but acquires visible scuffs more readily than expected. Their dimensions render these the thickest and heaviest trackers in comparison to their main rivals – Apple’s AirTag and the Tile Pro (even if we’re only talking by a millimetre or so here and a gram there).

When bought individually, both the standard and Plus models come in black, as well as Oatmeal (light brown) and Demin (light blue), respectively. However, the standard SmartTag four-pack also includes one pink and one Mint (pale green) tracker too.

These muted tones make sense in the context of not wanting to draw the attention of thieves who’ve unwittingly nabbed gear that you’re actively able to track, but if it’s just a matter of having misplaced your keys, that fact that they don’t stick out makes them tricky to pick out from a visual scan alone. As such, consider which colour tracker to use on which valuables, relative to the type of finding you’re more likely to need for each (i.e. theft versus loss).

IP53-certification means they lag (slightly) behind their hardier rivals (the Tile Pro is IP55-certified and the AirTag is IP67-compliant), but they’re still protected against the elements to some degree; provided you’re not planning on taking them swimming and they don’t accidentally end up in your washing machine.

You can open the SmartTag up too, although it requires a coin or screwdriver and a fair amount of coercion to pry the back cover off, revealing the user-replaceable battery. This fundamental feature took rival Tile a while come around to implementing on its trackers, so its inclusion here grants the SmartTags much greater long-term use and a greener environmental profile compared to trackers that rely on an integrated cell.

While it’s not immediately obvious, a firm press on the Galaxy SmartTag logo reveals that Samsung’s trackers also feature a physical button, which is used during setup and pairing, along with a few additional situations – more on those later, however.

Network compatibility

Regardless of the hardware at play, location-based trackers are only as robust as the networks they rely upon and the SmartTags lie locked within Samsung’s walled garden.

This in and of itself isn’t terrible; in terms of a robust network to help find your SmartTagged items, Samsung claims that its SmartThings Find network is now comprised of “more than 70 million helper devices,” all poised to help place your personal effects, while the actual pairing, management and finding of SmartTags has to take place via a compatible Galaxy phone (or tablet).

It’s important to note that turning your device (i.e. your smartphone) into a node for the SmartThings Find network is an opt-in process, by default, which is great for security and privacy but hinders the growth of the network, relative to the number of compatible devices Samsung sells.

For comparison, Tile claims to have sold around 35 million trackers, with its network further bolstered by the 30-something industry partners ( companies such as HP and Fitbit, as well as support from Amazon Sidewalk in the US) that help flesh out the infrastructure; its trackers and app are also iOS and Android-compatible.

Apple, meanwhile, has been working on its Find My network far longer than Samsung has and with more devices ( “hundreds of millions”, according to the company) keyed into it, has the potential to be the most reliable of the three main players in this space.

It’s also important to consider the market you’re in, geographically speaking. Stateside, Apple rules supreme, whilst Samsung holds more influence in its homeland of South Korea, across Europe and sits near the top in terms of market share in Africa.

While most recent Samsung Galaxy smartphones running Android 8.0 or newer should work with the Bluetooth finding features baked into either SmartTag model, the more precise UWB (ultra wideband) finding that’s exclusive to the SmartTag only works with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra (being the only Samsung Galaxy phones to feature UWB tech at the time of writing).

While a direct comparison between network sizes is useful, the walled garden effect created by the SmartThings Find network also applies to Apple’s trackers too; with an iPhone 6S or newer needed to use an AirTag and an iPhone 11 or newer needed to use the tag’s UWB-powered AR finding chops; all nestled within the company’s own exclusive Find My network.

Software features

Although Samsung’s SmartThings app can be found across both the Google Play Store and Apple’s iOS App Store, as already touched upon, when it comes to the SmartTags themselves, compatibility is limited to Samsung’s own Galaxy mobile devices – and those running Android 8 and up, more specifically.

Setup

Setup should be relatively easy, although initially having Nearby Device Scanning (under Connection Settings) switched off and Flight Mode turned on, both hindered the setup process during review. Flipping the both of these on and off respectively helped kick off the setup/pairing experience as described in the SmartTag’s instructions; with a card popping up on-screen featuring the relevant tracker, once it’s brought in range of a compatible phone.

You can assign SmartTags a category relating to the item they’re attached to, with the SmartThings app offering up a selection of likely items – like keys, bags and pets – or ‘other’ if you decide to get more creative with your usage.

Pairing via the QR code on the SmartTag’s packaging is also an option.

Management

Once you’ve logged into the SmartThings app with your Samsung account and connected your SmartTags, you can view each tag’s location on a map, change the tone and volume that the tags emit when signalled from within the app and setup automations, all with relative ease.

So long as your SmartTag is in range of your connected smartphone, you can fire off two different commands, by either pressing or long-pressing the button built into the tracker’s front. Options include controlling SmartThings-compatible Smart home products or running predefined scenes – the functionality of which serves as the ace up the SmartTag’s sleeve, compared to its direct rivals.

Tracking finding

When it comes to using the SmartTag’s tracking features, the map view gives the best overview of where all of your tracked items are located.

Tapping on a tag in the app will tell you where and when it last checked in with the SmartThings Find network, as well as the ability to navigate to and ring each one, independently.

The Search Nearby option is ideal for when you know you’re within a few feet of an elusive SmartTag, serving up a signal strength gauge that updates in real-time (with distance divided into 0.1-metre increments) as you move around; accompanied by written prompts stating whether you’re getting close or not.

From this screen, you can again make your SmartTag ring and if you’re using the SmartTag, you also have the option to tap the ‘Find using camera’ button.

The additional finding power afforded to the SmartTag by way of its UWB tech is wholly impressive when put into practice; with an augmented reality overlay atop your phone’s camera feed.

Flashing green arrows direct you to face – and move in the direction of – a nearby SmartTag, accompanied by haptic pulses as you move closer, while a Cloud of green particles floating over the area one should be located shows up once you draw near.

The ability to then ring the tag once again pops up when your phone thinks you’re right on top of it.

For most users, it should prove a simple and self-explanatory experience, with the additional benefits of the SmartTag best suited to those who are considering a tracker because they’re prone to losing things themselves, more so than trying to find a stolen item.

Safety privacy

While the feature didn’t exist at announcement, Samsung was quick to roll out an Unknown Tag Search feature (similar to the AirTag’s feature), meant to assuage concerns of stalking or location tracking by way of a covert SmartTag placed upon your person without your knowledge/consent.

The feature is built into the SmartTag help menu within the SmartThings app and – once you find it – is well laid out and easy-to-use, with a local unknown tag search only taking a minute to perform and able to be executed in the background; with a notification letting you know whether the search pulled anything up.

On the flip side, a feature that Apple has already promised to AirTag users with the release of iOS 15 and is already part of Tile’s paid Premium service under the guise of ‘Smart Alerts’ is separation alerts – notifications letting you know when your phone moves out of range of a connected tracker.

Right now, Samsung’s remained silent on the implementation of such a feature and as it currently stands, this represents one of the biggest weaknesses of the SmartTags’ feature set compared to the competition.

Performance

Long-distance finding is wholly dictated by the fidelity of the SmartThings Find network your SmartTag is missing within. Built-up and more populated areas are likely to increase your chances of finding your tagged item, as there are more points within the local network to bounce off of.

The density of the network affects not only the precise location (on the macro scale of the map view) but also the frequency at which the tag can post its location to the SmartThings Find network.

From a tag worn on a train into central London, to one placed within a car moving around rural Sussex, both trackers held up well in terms of consistent visibility within the SmartThings app.

On a micro level, it’s hard to knock even the basic gauge-based finding available to the standard SmartTag tracker, let alone the camera-based AR finding of the UWB-enabled SmartTag; especially when paired with the reassuringly-loud integrated buzzer.

Samsung quotes a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) range of up to 120 metres, which skirts up alongside the Tile Pro’s quoted max range and surpasses that of AirTag’s promised 100 metres. Of course, the caveat to this is that these are perfect condition figures, which can vary wildly in practice if your device’s Bluetooth has to also contend with passing through building materials like glass, wood and brick or dense woodland, so temper your expectations accordingly.

Battery

As with Apple’s AirTag and Tile’s most recent trackers, both the Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag rely on removable CR2032 coin cell batteries as their power source.

In the case of the standard SmartTag, Samsung quotes a life span per battery of 300 days, however, the UWB-tech inside the SmartTag nearly chops that figure in half, to only 165 days.

The SmartThings app thankfully provides battery level indicators for your connected trackers, making it easier to tell when it’s coming time to swap the battery out, however, the on-paper figures do place both of Sammy’s tags at the bottom of the pile; compared to their biggest rivals, which promise a year of use per charge.

Price availability

In markets including the UK, Europe and the US, both versions of Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTags are now on sale, however, availability of the SmartTag, as well as two and four-packs of trackers, does vary by region.

The standard SmartTag is priced at £29/ US29.99/ €29.90 for a single tracker and (for example) in the UK can also be purchased in a two-pack for £49 (making each tracker £4.50 cheaper) or a four-pack for £89 (knocking £6.75 off the cost of each tracker).

Meanwhile, the SmartTag (which isn’t available in certain markets that the standard tracker is, including Spain) costs £39/ 39.99/ €39.90 for a single tracker and £69 for a two-pack (which again results in a £4.50 discount per tracker).

For comparison, the £29.99 Tile Pro is most like the standard SmartTag, while Apple’s £29 AirTag is more closely related to the SmartTag, with both alternatives also available in multi-packs (a £49.99 two-pack and £89.99 four-pack for the Tile Pro and only a £99 four-pack for Apple’s AirTags).

Verdict

Now that Samsung’s SmartThings Find network is up and running, the SmartTag and SmartTag offer a notably different proposition to the company’s lesser-known precursor (the LTE-based SmartThings Tracker from 2018, which was significantly more expensive, came with the recurring cost of a cellular contract and required far more frequent recharging).

The user experience feels refined from the offset and save for the omission of separation alerts and weaker dust and water protection compared to their top competitors, Samsung has produced a pair of well-made, easy-to-use and seemingly reliable trackers.

The more advanced SmartTag fuses the convenience of the Tile Pro’s design with the advanced UWB finding technologies found in Apple’s AirTag and until Tile’s rumoured UWB rival emerges, Samsung’s own-brand option is really the best and only choice for Samsung Galaxy users (with a compatible smartphone).

As for the standard SmartTag, if you’re already tied into Samsung Galaxy ecosystem and/or use SmartThings Find with other compatible products like the Galaxy Watch 3 or Galaxy Buds Live, then it’s an easy choice. If you’re not brand loyal to Samsung, however, Tile’s trackers might make for a more sensible purchase, as they’re compatible with a far wide range of Android devices and work with iPhone too.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag: Specs

• Bluetooth (BLE 5.0)
• Integrated keyring loop
• Max BLE range = 120 metres
• UWB/Ultra-wideband support (SmartTag only)
• User replaceable CR2032 battery
• Battery life: Up to 300 days (SmartTag) | Up to 165 days (SmartTag)
• SmartTag dimensions: 39.1 x 39.1 x 10.4 mm
• SmartTag dimensions: 40.9mm x 40.9mm x 9.9 mm
• Weight: 13 grams (SmartTag) | 14 grams (SmartTag)
• IP53 certified
• Unknown SmartTag detection
• Built-in speaker (up to approximately 100dB)
• SmartTag colours: Black, Oatmeal, Mint, Pink
• SmartTag colours: Black, Denim Blue

Samsung Galaxy tag

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Samsung’s next-generation Bluetooth tracker could be one step closer to launch. Following the alleged features of the Smart accessory that were leaked in April, it recently appeared in a certification that confirmed it will carry the Galaxy Smart Tag 2 moniker alongside Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

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For reference, the original Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag tracker relied on Bluetooth LE 5.0. The South Koreans later introduced a Plus version of the Galaxy Smart Tag that featured Bluetooth 5.1 and included UWB (ultra-wideband) technology which enabled finding nearby objects in AR view like Apple’s guided navigation in its Find My app for the AirTag (review).

Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag 2 features

As spotted in Bluetooth SIG, the upcoming Samsung tracker which is labeled as the Galaxy Smart Tag 2, has been fitted with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity standard that has a few notable improvements over the older version. These include higher power efficiency for a longer battery life as well as lower latency and better reliability when used within range, which could all be introduced in the Bluetooth tracker.

Although the listing revealed very little about the Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag 2, it was reported earlier it will support unwanted tracking, which is a cross-platform feature that both Apple and Google plan to ship later this year. However, it remains unclear if compatibility with Android’s Find My Device network or the ability to pair the tracker to a different app will be added instead of using Samsung’s SmartThings.

Additionally, the tag could also include a louder speaker which allows it to be easily located via sound. At the same time, it could very well feature an improved Samsung Smart home ecosystem integration that would enable more functions like having a scene trigger using a series of presses.

Samsung is expected to announce the new tracker on July 26 where it will also debut the foldable Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. There are no details yet about how much the Galaxy Smart Tag 2 would cost, although it could be priced between the 29 for the Standard model and 39 for the Plus model.

Apple AirTag

Prefer an Apple AirTag? Order one from Amazon.

What new features would you like to see in the Galaxy Smart Tag 2? Share your thoughts in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев.