Samsung's SmartTag 3: Great for Galaxy, less for iPhone

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3, priced at $29.99, enhances tracking capabilities with turn-by-turn guidance up to nearly 300 feet away, a threefold increase over its predecessor. This third-generation tracker introduces an improved battery efficiency, lasting up to 550 days, extendable to 790 days in power-saving mode. Notably, the design has been updated to a more compact puck shape, though it omits the integrated loop for keychains, requiring an additional accessory purchase.

While the SmartTag 3 now supports iOS devices running iOS 17 or later, its precision-finding features, like Compass View, are exclusively available on compatible Galaxy phones. iPhone users can only see a pin on a map, lacking the directional guidance offered to Android users. The device also carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, outmatched slightly by the Tile Pro's IP68 rating.

The tracker utilizes Samsung's vast Galaxy Find network for out-of-Bluetooth-range location updates. For nearby items, it uses Bluetooth 6.0 and ultra-wideband technology. Alerts for leaving items behind, detecting movement, or arriving at designated places are available through the SmartThings app, providing a safety net for users.

Samsung includes safety features such as Unknown Tag Detection to mitigate stalking concerns, though it only identifies trackers within the SmartThings Find network. Location data is encrypted across the Galaxy Find network, ensuring user privacy. The SmartTag 3's chime volume, while improved, is still less powerful than competitors like the Apple AirTag 2 and Tile Pro.