Samsung has a new item tracker, and for the first time it works with iPhones too.
On September 30, 2026, Samsung announced the Galaxy SmartTag3. It costs $29.99 for one tag or $99.99 for a four-pack, the same as the SmartTag2. It went on sale in South Korea on October 7, and Samsung says it will be available in the U.S. by early November 2026, in White and Black.
The big changes are a smaller body, longer battery life and longer-range finding. Here is how it stacks up against the SmartTag2 and Apple's AirTag (2nd generation).
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Galaxy SmartTag3 announced | September 30, 2026 |
| SmartTag3 on sale in South Korea | October 7, 2026 |
| SmartTag3 in the U.S. | By early November 2026 (no exact day yet) |
| More markets | 2027, per The Gadgeteer |
| AirTag (2nd generation) announced | January 2026 |
Specs compared
| Galaxy SmartTag3 | Galaxy SmartTag2 | AirTag (2nd gen) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. price | $29.99 / $99.99 four-pack | Launched at the same price | $29 / $99 four-pack |
| Size | 31 x 31 x 8.2mm | 28.8 x 52.4 x 8mm | Same as first AirTag |
| Weight | 9.15g | 13.75g | Not covered in our sources |
| Battery | CR2032, up to 550 days (790 in Power Saving) | CR2032, up to 500 days (about 700 in Power Saving) | CR2032, replaceable, no gain over first AirTag |
| Water and dust | IP67 | IP67 | Not covered in our sources |
| Long-range guidance | Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding, up to 60m | Bluetooth 5.3 | Upgraded Bluetooth chip |
| Close-range precision | UWB | UWB | Second-gen UWB, up to 50% farther than before |
| Works with | Galaxy phones and iPhones (limited on iPhone) | Galaxy phones only | iPhone only |
| Finding network | Galaxy Find Network (900M+ Galaxy devices) | Galaxy Find Network | Apple Find My |
| Keyring hole | No, sold with optional cases | Yes, built-in loop | No |
All battery figures are the makers' own claims from internal tests, not our measurements.
What's new in SmartTag3
It is much smaller. Samsung says it is about 35% smaller by volume and 33% lighter than the SmartTag2. It is now a small rounded square instead of the SmartTag2's long shape with a built-in loop. To hang it on keys, Samsung sells new cases: a Silicone Case with a keyring and a Loop Case.
The battery lasts longer. Samsung rates it at up to 550 days of standard use, or up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode. The SmartTag2 was rated at up to 500 days. Like before, it uses a CR2032 coin cell you can swap yourself. The Gadgeteer notes that Power Saving Mode turns off some features, including Compass View.
It can guide you from farther away. Compass View now uses Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding to show distance and direction from up to 60 meters. Samsung says that is about three times farther than the SmartTag2. As you get closer, UWB takes over for more precise guidance.
There is a catch. At launch, Channel Sounding only works with the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, S26 Ultra and S26 Plus, according to The Gadgeteer. Other Galaxy phones with UWB still get close-range guidance, but not the longer 60-meter range. The 60-meter figure is also a best case, with a clear line of sight.
It works with iPhones, but only partly. Through the SmartThings app, iPhone users can check and share a tag's location and use Search Nearby. This is useful when, say, a family member with an iPhone borrows your suitcase. But Compass View, Ring Phone and Left Behind Alert do not work on iOS. And the tag still uses the Galaxy Find Network, not Apple's Find My network.
There are new alerts. Place Notification (a trial feature) tells you when a tag enters or leaves an area you set, such as a pet leaving the garden. Location History keeps up to seven days of where the tag has been. Movement Detection Alert can tell you when the tag moves after it disconnects from your phone. Samsung also says the Galaxy Find Network now updates a lost tag's location faster.
Remember that none of these tags is a live GPS tracker. They have no cellular connection. They only update when a nearby phone on the network picks them up.
Where each one wins
- Galaxy SmartTag3 wins for Galaxy owners. It is smaller, lighter and lasts longer. With an S26 Plus, S26 Ultra or Z Fold8, it can point you to your item from much farther away than any SmartTag before it.
- Galaxy SmartTag2 wins if you need a tag now. It works with Galaxy phones running Android 11 or later, it has UWB and IP67, and it has a built-in loop, so you do not need to buy a case.
- AirTag (2nd generation) wins for iPhone owners. It uses Apple's Find My network and works fully on iPhone. Its Precision Finding reaches up to 50% farther than the first AirTag, per Apple, and Macworld measured about 40% more in its own test. The speaker is 50% louder. You need an iPhone 15 or later (not the iPhone 16e) for the longer UWB range.
Which should you buy?
- You have a Galaxy S26 Plus, S26 Ultra, Z Fold8 or Z Fold8 Ultra: wait for the SmartTag3. You get the full 60-meter Compass View.
- You have an older Galaxy phone and lose things often: the SmartTag3 is still worth waiting a few weeks for, mainly for the smaller size and longer battery life.
- You need a tracker for a trip this month: buy the SmartTag2. It works well today and costs about the same.
- You use an iPhone: get the AirTag (2nd generation). The SmartTag3's iPhone support is mainly for sharing a tag with Galaxy users in your family.
- Your family uses both Galaxy and iPhone: the SmartTag3 is the first tag that lets both check the same tag, but the Galaxy user gets the most features.
- Wait: Samsung has not given an exact U.S. date. If you are not in a hurry, wait for the launch and see if holiday sales bring the price down.
Check Galaxy SmartTag2 price on Amazon
For more tracker picks, see our best Bluetooth trackers guide, or line up phones and gadgets side by side in our compare tool.
Other tech news this week
- Apple holds its home launch on October 13. Reports point to a home hub, a new HomePod mini and an Apple TV 4K. See our Apple October 13 event preview.
- Microsoft puts the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 13 with Snapdragon X2 Plus on sale October 13. Read our Surface Pro 12 and Laptop 13 article.
- Amazon has a new Fire TV Stick 4K at $59.99 that runs Vega OS. Read our Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) vs 4K Max article.
Sources
- Samsung Newsroom: Galaxy SmartTag3 Makes It Easier to Keep Track of What Matters
- The Gadgeteer: Should you buy the Galaxy SmartTag3? Check your phone first
- Droid Life: Samsung SmartTag 3 available in November for $30
- Macworld: Apple AirTag (2nd gen) review
- MacTrast: Apple unveils second-generation AirTag
- Telstra: Galaxy SmartTag2 specs
Image: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3 with its new cases, via Samsung Newsroom.
