Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 review

The Galaxy SmartTag 2 is Samsung’s latest Bluetooth device to keep track of your most important things. It has a new design, and better technology to track what you want to keep an extra close eye on.

This tag shares many similarities with Apple’s AirTag, but instead of working with Apple’s ecosystem, this one only works with Samsung’s.

Design and Features

Getting started with the SmartTag 2 is a breeze. Open the box, pull a tab to activate the battery and follow the instructions that appear on your Galaxy mobile phone.

The tag has a button that you can set to do two different things in the SmartThings app (press or hold). These can be things like switching on certain lights, notifying a user or running a selected routine – very useful if you use SmartThings for your smart home.

Samsung

SmartTag 2 works best with newer phones that support ultra-wideband (according to Samsung: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Z Fold 3, Z Fold 4 or Z Fold 5 at the time of writing). Android 11 or later is also a requirement.

It is powered by a CR2032 battery that should last up to 500 days in standard mode and up to 700 days in power saving mode – a significant improvement over its predecessor.

The design is updated, but there is still a built-in metal ring that you can use to attach the tag to something. An advantage over the AirTag, which is a round little button you need to buy accessories for if you want to attach it to something.

Tracking and Precision

Samsung has redesigned the experience in the SmartThings app to make it easier to see where your devices are. There’s a full-screen map and you can easily shortcut to the right place on your home screen.

The SmartTag 2 might sound a little quiet if you’ve dropped it deep under the sofa cushions, but it’s easy to navigate to it with the app (and the sound to back it up). If you have the right mobile phone, you get very precise instructions thanks to ultra-wideband technology. We haven’t been able to test the compass mode, as it’s called, but the experience should be similar to what we tested with the iPhone 15 Pro and an AirTag. You get arrows on the screen for direction and number of metres to the tag.

SmartTag 2 only works with Galaxy devices, but if you lose something and activate the lost and found mode, any NFC mobile phone with a web browser can help make sure you get your property back. You set up a message with a way to contact you that they get when they scan the tag when you activate the feature in the SmartThings app.

Samsung

In my experience, Samsung’s network isn’t quite as “dense” as Apple’s. Where I live, my SmartTag 2 is not found quite as often as my AirTag by other devices. This isn’t necessarily a problem since I’m usually the one looking for my keys or cat, but if something gets stolen, it might be harder to follow a SmartTag 2 than an AirTag.

Price and Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 costs $29.99/£34.99. You can buy it from Samsung, Amazon and Best Buy in America, and Samsung, Amazon and Currys in the UK. It comes in two colours (black and white), and many stores also offer multipack options should you want to tag numerous items.

If you live in a household where both Android and iOS are used, I would recommend Tile which works with both ecosystems and has equivalent tags. Apple users should choose AirTag and Galaxy users now have an equally good tag with the SmartTag 2.

You can find these options (and more) in our chart of the best Bluetooth trackers.

This article has been translated and localised for Tech Advisor. You can read the original review over on M3.

Specs

Product: Samsung Galaxy Smarttag 2
Manufacturer: Samsung
Tested: November 2023
System requirements: Samsung Galaxy mobile phone
Connection: Bluetooth LE 5.3
Range: 120 metres
Dimensions: 28.8 x 52.44 x 8 millimetres
Weight: 13.75 grams
Replaceable battery : Yes