Full Breakdown
Samsung Unveils Galaxy SmartTag 3: Smaller, Longer-Lasting Tracker with iOS Support
By Drooid · · How we work
What the Galaxy SmartTag 3 Offers
Samsung announced the third-generation Galaxy SmartTag, positioning it as a direct rival to Apple’s AirTag. The device is 35 % smaller and 33 % lighter than the SmartTag 2, achieved by removing the built-in mounting loop and relying on optional cases for attachment. Samsung’s press release states the tracker uses a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts up to 550 days in normal use and up to 790 days in “Power Saving Mode.” The SmartTag 3 supports Bluetooth 6.0 with channel sounding, ultra-wideband (UWB) for centimeter-level locating, and integrates with Samsung’s Galaxy Find Network, which the company says is backed by more than 900 million Galaxy devices. A new iOS app lets iPhone users locate a SmartTag 3, though iPhone devices do not contribute to the Find Network. Pricing is set at $29.99 for a single unit and $99.99 for a four-pack, with the South Korean launch slated for October 7 and a U.S. release expected in early November.
Technical Improvements Over SmartTag 2
- Size & Weight: 35 % reduction in volume; 33 % lighter.
- Battery Efficiency: 10 % more power-efficient, extending battery life to 550 days (normal) or 790 days (power-saving).
- Range & Precision: Detectable up to three times farther than the previous model; UWB and Bluetooth 6.0 combine for precise location within 200 feet.
- Durability: IP67 rating protects against dust and water.
- Software Features: Place notifications, movement-detection alerts, location history, and a “Lost Mode” that displays contact info via NFC.
Market Position and Compatibility
The SmartTag 3 expands Samsung’s tracking ecosystem beyond its own devices, aiming to appeal to households that mix Samsung, Apple, and other Android phones. While the iOS app enables basic locating, Samsung clarified that iPhone users do not feed data into the Galaxy Find Network, leaving the tracker dependent on Samsung devices for crowd-sourced location updates. The product does not integrate with Google’s Find Hub network, which operates across all Android brands. Analysts note that the $29.99 price matches Apple’s AirTag and Google’s upcoming Pixel Tag, suggesting Samsung is targeting price-sensitive consumers who value cross-platform sharing.
Samsung’s Official Position
In its launch statement, Samsung highlighted the “smaller, lighter” form factor and the extended battery life as key differentiators.
Anticipated Impact and Availability
By enabling iPhone users to locate tags, Samsung hopes to broaden the SmartTag’s appeal without sacrificing the network advantage of its Galaxy ecosystem. The October 7 release in South Korea coincides with the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 series, and the early-November U.S. rollout will test the device’s competitiveness against Apple’s AirTag and Google’s forthcoming Pixel Tag. If adoption mirrors Samsung’s claim of a large existing device base, the SmartTag 3 could become a widely used item-tracking solution for mixed-OS households.