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For most Galaxy owners buying a tracker today, choose Galaxy SmartTag2. The original Galaxy SmartTag is a basic Bluetooth tag, SmartTag+ is the first-generation version with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) precision finding, and SmartTag2 is the newer redesign that combines UWB with a longer advertised battery life, IP67 protection, NFC Lost Mode and a more practical attachment opening.
Before buying, confirm that your phone is a compatible Samsung Galaxy device. SmartTags are not general-purpose iPhone trackers, and none of these models has independent GPS.
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At a glance: which SmartTag is which?
| Feature | Galaxy SmartTag | Galaxy SmartTag+ | Galaxy SmartTag2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | First | First | Second |
| Radio | Bluetooth Low Energy | Bluetooth Low Energy plus UWB | Bluetooth LE 5.3 plus UWB |
| Nearby finding | Bluetooth and sound | UWB precision finding on compatible phones | UWB precision finding, including Compass View-related features, on compatible phones |
| Battery | Replaceable CR2032; life varies by model documentation | Replaceable CR2032; life varies by model documentation | Replaceable CR2032; up to 500 days typical use, according to Samsung |
| NFC Lost Mode | Not established in Samsung sources cited here | Not established in Samsung sources cited here | Yes |
| Water and dust rating | Do not assume IP67 | Do not assume IP67 | IP67-rated |
| Best buying situation | Only when substantially cheaper | Only when discounted and UWB is required | Default choice for a compatible Galaxy owner |
Samsung identifies SmartTag+ as a UWB-equipped first-generation model, not as a generation newer than SmartTag2. SmartTag2 is the actual second-generation product, announced in October 2023. See Samsung’s launch announcement and support information.
SmartTag versus SmartTag+: the first-generation choice
What the regular SmartTag does
The original Galaxy SmartTag uses Bluetooth Low Energy. When it is nearby, SmartThings can make the tag ring and help you search for it. When it is away from your phone, its reported location can be updated by Samsung’s Galaxy Find Network when participating Galaxy devices pass within Bluetooth range.
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- 📱 Global Cloud Positioning – Works with both Google's Find Hub (Android Only,Not for GPS & ios)
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- 🔋 Far Superior Battery Life – Up to 2 years battery life on Android
- 💧 IP65 Waterproof – It provides protection against rainwaterand splashes
- 👮 Data Encryption – With the help of Google's technology, all location information is encrypted
What the plus sign adds
SmartTag+ adds UWB hardware to that same first-generation concept. On a Galaxy phone with UWB, nearby precision finding can provide directional guidance instead of only a general nearby indication. This is useful when a tag is under furniture, in a room or mixed in with similar objects. Samsung describes the UWB distinction in its SmartTag+ announcement.
UWB does not extend remote tracking distance. Far-away updates still depend on Bluetooth contact with the tag and the density of opted-in Galaxy devices around it.
SmartTag+ versus SmartTag2
SmartTag2 keeps UWB but updates the hardware
SmartTag2 retains UWB precision finding while adding a redesigned body, a larger attachment opening, NFC Lost Mode, IP67 dust and water resistance, and Bluetooth 5.3. Samsung lists dimensions of 28.8 × 52.44 × 8.0 mm, a weight of 13.75 g, a speaker, one button and a replaceable CR2032 battery on its US product page.
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Samsung rates SmartTag2 for up to 500 days under typical use and says Power Saving Mode can provide up to 40% more. Power Saving Mode limits the tag to basic Bluetooth finding. These are manufacturer estimates, not guaranteed lifespans; usage, environment and battery brand affect the result. Samsung’s currently retrieved material does not provide a directly comparable battery-life figure for the two first-generation models.
Rank #2
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- ENHANCED SPEAKER — With a 50% louder speaker and a new, distinctive chime, it’s easier than ever to hear and find AirTag.*
- PING FROM FAR AND WIDE — Upgraded Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth chips allow you to find your items from even farther away than ever before.*
- SHARE ITEM LOCATION — Share AirTag location access temporarily and securely with trusted contacts, third parties, or over 50 airline partners if you lose something important.
Protection and contact details
SmartTag2 is IP67-rated, meaning dust resistance and temporary immersion under specified laboratory conditions. It is not an unrestricted waterproof or submersion device. Its NFC Lost Mode lets you register a message and contact information. A finder can tap the tag with an NFC-capable, internet-connected Android phone or iPhone to read that information. NFC does not reveal a live location or provide access to your Samsung account.
Compatibility: check the phone before comparing prices
Basic and SmartThings requirements
Samsung designs SmartTags for Galaxy smartphones and tablets using the SmartThings ecosystem. Samsung’s broad SmartTag2 specification lists compatible Galaxy devices running Android 9 or later, but its feature footnotes set stricter requirements for the complete SmartThings Find experience: Android 11 or later and at least 3 GB of free RAM. Registration and management require the SmartThings app and a Samsung account. Exact supported models can change, so verify your phone on Samsung’s current product and support pages rather than treating Android 9 as a guarantee for every feature.
UWB is a separate hardware gate
Bluetooth finding can work on a wider range of compatible Galaxy devices. Compass View and other UWB precision features require a Galaxy phone that itself has UWB hardware, along with the required software. Buying a SmartTag+ or SmartTag2 does not add UWB to a phone that lacks it. Samsung’s supported-device announcement and regional product specifications explain this distinction.
iPhone and non-Samsung Android limitations
An iPhone can read a SmartTag2’s Lost Mode message over NFC when the owner has enabled Lost Mode, registered contact details and the phone is online. That is a finder feature, not owner-side compatibility: setup, tracking and management remain Samsung Galaxy/SmartThings functions. Non-Samsung Android users face the same ecosystem limitation. If you use only an iPhone, or need one tracker managed from both iOS and Android, choose a platform designed for that requirement instead.
Rank #3
- THE EVERYTHING TRACKER: Protect lost or stolen stuff and make family life easier. Attach to everyday things like keys, water bottles, or bags
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Bluetooth range, UWB and network finding are different
Bluetooth finding
Samsung lists SmartTag2 Bluetooth distance as up to 120 m without obstacles. Walls, furniture, interference and the tag’s surroundings can reduce that distance. The figure is not a guaranteed everyday radius.
UWB precision
UWB helps a compatible nearby Galaxy phone determine direction and proximity more precisely. It is a search aid after you are near the tag, not a long-distance locator.
Galaxy Find Network
When direct Bluetooth contact is unavailable, participating Galaxy devices can detect the tag and relay an updated location to Samsung’s network. Results depend on nearby Galaxy-device density, opt-in participation, signal conditions and the tag’s surroundings. SmartTag2 does not contain GPS and cannot continuously calculate and transmit its own position.
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Keys, wallets and bags
SmartTag2 is the strongest default because of its current design, attachment opening, UWB support and longer advertised battery interval. A deeply discounted original SmartTag can still work when basic Bluetooth finding is all you need and the item is kept in a dry environment.
Rank #4
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
Luggage
SmartTag2’s IP67 rating and Lost Mode are useful additions, but the tag is not a replacement for airline baggage systems or a theft-recovery guarantee.
Pets
A SmartTag can help locate a nearby pet or show a recently reported network location. It is not a live GPS pet tracker; updates may be delayed or unavailable where few compatible Galaxy devices are present.
Cars, bicycles and expensive equipment
Use SmartTag2 as an additional recovery aid, not as an anti-theft or security system. Someone can remove or shield a tag, and network updates are not guaranteed.
Existing owners
Upgrade when your older tag’s battery endurance, mounting style, lack of IP67 protection or lack of NFC Lost Mode causes a real problem. The “2” label alone is not a reason to replace a functioning SmartTag or SmartTag+.
Best Value
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
Buying decision
- Buy SmartTag2 when purchasing new, you own a compatible Galaxy device, and you want the current design, UWB, IP67 protection, NFC Lost Mode or Samsung’s latest battery estimate. Samsung’s US page has shown a $29.99 one-pack and $95 four-pack price signal; prices and stock are volatile, so recheck the live listing.
- Buy or keep the original SmartTag only when basic Bluetooth finding is sufficient and the price is substantially lower. For used or clearance stock, check battery condition, seller reliability, return terms and account-registration status.
- Buy or keep SmartTag+ when you specifically need first-generation UWB, your phone supports UWB, and the older unit is meaningfully cheaper than SmartTag2.
- Avoid SmartTags if you use only an iPhone, require mixed iOS/Android management, need independent live GPS, or need a very thin wallet-format tracker.
For multiple items, Samsung’s four-pack can reduce the per-tag price, while the official SmartTag2 Silicone Case is useful when you need extra protection or a dedicated holder. Confirm current pricing on Samsung’s product page.
Setup and troubleshooting
Initial setup
- Install or update SmartThings on a compatible Galaxy phone or tablet.
- Sign in to your Samsung account and enable Bluetooth.
- Bring the tag close to the device and accept the detection prompt.
- Register it in SmartThings Find, name it and attach it to the item.
- Test the speaker and nearby-finding function.
- On SmartTag2, enable Lost Mode and register a message and contact details if you want NFC contact information available to a finder.
Samsung notes that app screens and labels can change; use the current prompts in SmartThings and its support instructions.
If the tag is not detected
- Reseat or replace the CR2032 battery.
- Keep the phone close, confirm Bluetooth is enabled and update SmartThings.
- Restart the phone and retry registration.
If it appears offline
- Check its last reported location and move near the tag for direct Bluetooth finding.
- Allow time for a Galaxy Find Network update; an area with few participating Galaxy devices may produce no fresh location.
If Compass View is unavailable
Confirm that the phone has UWB hardware and meets the required Android, RAM and SmartThings conditions. A compatible tag cannot supply UWB capability to a non-UWB phone.
If sound or NFC does not work
- For a quiet speaker, check the battery and remember that dense materials and surrounding noise can mask the sound.
- For NFC Lost Mode, verify that Lost Mode is enabled, contact details are saved, the finder’s phone supports NFC and it has an internet connection.
Bottom line
SmartTag2 is the right default for a compatible Samsung Galaxy owner. SmartTag is sensible only as a much cheaper basic Bluetooth option, and SmartTag+ makes sense mainly as a discounted first-generation UWB tag. If your phone is an iPhone or you need live GPS or cross-platform ownership, choose a different tracker category.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
