Samsung's $30 SmartTags Beat AirTags to Launch

Alongside new flagship smartphones, Samsung today announced the launch of its Galaxy SmartTags, item trackers that seem to be similar in design and functionality to Apple's long-rumored AirTags that have yet to launch.


Design wise, the Galaxy SmartTags have a squircle shape with a small cutout at the top that's designed to accommodate a key ring or strap for attaching it to various items. The SmartTags measure in at 1.54 inches x 1.54 inches x 0.39 inches. Apple's AirTags are rumored to be round in shape, but we don't yet know for sure what they'll look like.

The Galaxy SmartTags are Bluetooth-enabled (using Bluetooth LE 5.0) and can connect to a smartphone to relay an item's position. Samsung is not using the more advanced Ultra Wideband technology that allows for more precise positioning information to be relayed, instead relying solely on Bluetooth. It's not entirely clear why Samsung hasn't adopted UWB for the SmartTags, because it is a feature built into newer Samsung smartphones, but Samsung does have plans for a UWB version called SmartTag+ later this year.

samsung galaxy smarttag
Apple's AirTags will feature Ultra Wideband technology that works with the U1 chip in the iPhone 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 models for more accurate tracking and to enable a rumored augmented reality item location function.

samsung smarttag luggage
SmartTags can be located in Samsung's "SmartThings Find" app, which will show the location of the tag if it is in Bluetooth range, or if it isn't, the last location. There's a ring button that can be tapped to make it easier to locate a close-by item using sound, and a map for finding items that are lost further away.

Samsung has a "Galaxy Find Network" that uses other people's Galaxy devices to locate lost items, which is similar to how AirTags will work. AirTags will be able to be located alongside iOS devices using the Find My app. Apple in iOS 13 added a Find My feature that lets lost devices be tracked even without a cellular connection by leveraging devices owned by other people, and this is also expected to work for the AirTags.

samsung smarttag app keys
With the SmartTags from Samsung, nearby Galaxy devices can scan the tag and then send info on location to the item's owner, with the app also providing a history of the locations where the SmartTag has been spotted for tracking purposes.

samsung smarttags app tracking
The SmartTags will also have smart home capabilities, which is not yet something we've heard rumored for the AirTags. SmartTags are able to control Internet of Things devices, allowing for smart home automations that can be activated when a button on the SmartTag is pressed. So, for example, if you have a SmartTag on your keys and arrive home, you can press the button to turn on all the lights inside.

samsung smarttags app home
SmartTags have a replaceable CR2032 battery, and there's been mixed information on what we'll see from Apple in terms of battery. The AirTags could have a replaceable battery, but some rumors have suggested they'll be rechargeable.

Samsung told The Verge that the SmartTags are only designed to work with Samsung Galaxy devices and are not compatible with other Android phones or iPhones.

Samsung is selling the SmartTags individually or in a two-pack, with a single tag priced at $30. We don't yet have any pricing data on AirTags, but it's quite likely that Apple will want pricing to be competitive with other item tracking tags on the market like the SmartTag from Samsung.

SmartTags can be pre-ordered from Samsung as of today and will start shipping out by January 27.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...

Top Rated Comments

az431 Avatar
59 months ago

whenever someone says "Samsung doesn't copy Apple", just point them to this and a bunch of other examples in the past.

Samsung copies Apple. Plain and simple.
Technically, it would be Apple and Samsung copying Tile.
Score: 63 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
59 months ago

It's not entirely clear why Samsung hasn't adopted UWB for the SmartTags, because it is a feature built into ('https://insights.samsung.com/2020/08/21/what-is-ultra-wideband-and-how-does-it-work/') newer Samsung smartphones, but Samsung does have plans for a UWB version called SmartTag+ later this year.
Sounds to me that these tags, in the hopes of beating Apple to the market, are a rushed product
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
59 months ago
whenever someone says "Samsung doesn't copy Apple", just point them to this and a bunch of other examples in the past.

Samsung copies Apple. Plain and simple.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
busyscott Avatar
59 months ago
I'd die pretty happy if I never heard the word squircle again...
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xnu Avatar
59 months ago
If AirTags are not $50 each, I will be disappointed.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
59 months ago

whenever someone says "Samsung doesn't copy Apple", just point them to this and a bunch of other examples in the past.

Samsung copies Apple. Plain and simple.
Which released Apple product have Samsung copied here? For all we know, Samsung may have started developing these long before Apple, but the bottom line is they beat Apple to market with them.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)