Samsung currently offers two trackers in its Smarttag lineup: the base Galaxy Smarttag and the premium Galaxy SmartTag+.
The main difference between the two tracking devices is that the classic SmartTag relies solely on Bluetooth Low Energy. The SmartTag+ pairs it with Ultra-wideband (UWB) for more precise location tracking.
Let’s delve deeper and find out the rest of the key factors that set them apart.
Galaxy SmartTag vs Galaxy SmartTag+: 5 key differences
Galaxy SmartTag is a small, Bluetooth-enabled tracking device designed to help you locate lost or misplaced items. You can attach it to your keys, backpack, or any other item you frequently misplace and then use your smartphone to locate the SmartTag when needed.
- Long battery life and easy-to-replace battery
- You can attach it to your keys, backpack, or any other item you frequently misplace
- Offline finding mode that uses nearby Galaxy smartphones to locate lost items even when they're out of Bluetooth range
| Feature | Galaxy SmartTag | Galaxy SmartTag+ |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0 or higher, 2GB RAM, Bluetooth 5.0 | Limited to Galaxy S21 Plus, Note 20 Ultra, and S21 Ultra with UWB support |
| Size | 1.54 x 1.54 x 0.39 inches | 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 inches |
| Pricing | $29.99 | $39.99 |
| Ultra Wide Band | No | Yes |
| AR Finder | No | Yes |
What devices can SmartTags connect to?
You can pair the Galaxy SmartTag with any Galaxy Phone that:
- Runs on Android 8.0 or higher.
- Has a minimum of 2GB RAM.
- Is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0.
The Galaxy SmartTag+ only works with a small number of Galaxy devices. Those include the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S21 Plus and Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra, S23 Plus and Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Fold 2, 3, 4, and 5.
That’s because it needs UWB to work for the ultra-precise tracking and AR mode.
Size differences
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag+ share an almost identical design but differ in size.
SmartTags are compact devices measuring 1.54 x 1.54 x 0.39 inches, while SmartTag+ is slightly larger at 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 inches.
Price differences
As expected, the more advanced Samsung tracker comes at a higher price.
The Galaxy SmartTag+ costs $10 more than the Galaxy SmartTag, with a price tag of $39.99 compared to $29.99.
The $10 difference is small, but when you have to buy multiple SmartTags, the cost quickly adds up.
Tracking tech
As mentioned earlier, Galaxy SmartTags+ comes with UWB tech, allowing them to track to within inches. This helps when you have to track items in multi-floor buildings or if you’re tracking a pet.
Normal SmartTags only use Bluetooth, which has a lower range and also isn’t able to track in
AR Finder
Samsung AR Finding is only compatible with devices that support UWB. You can open the SmartThings app and get an augmented reality view that guides you to your missing SmartTag+.
This feature overlays virtual graphics onto the camera view to indicate the location of misplaced items.
You can find similar tech in the latest AirTags, which are supported on the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14.
Galaxy SmartTags are for different users
While Samsung’s base model Galaxy SmartTags are perfect for tracking things around your house, the SmartTag+ has more utility. The downsides are the additional cost of each tracking chip and the premium Galaxy smartphones needed to use them.
Both will help you keep track of your keys, pets, or even your car. It’s worth noting that Samsung is gearing up to release the SmartTag 2 next month, so maybe hold off on purchasing for now.
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