Samsung has announced the Galaxy SmartTag 3, a smaller Bluetooth tracker with longer battery life, new movement alerts and limited cross-platform support. The biggest practical change is that location information can now be shared with iPhone users, making the tag more useful in households where everyone does not carry a Galaxy phone.
The tracker will cost $29.99 for one or $99.99 for a four-pack in the United States. Samsung plans to release it in South Korea on October 7, with US availability expected in early November, according to The Verge’s September 30 report.
What changed from the SmartTag 2
The SmartTag 3 returns to a rounded-square, or “squircle,” shape. Samsung says the new model is 35 percent smaller and 33 percent lighter than the SmartTag 2. It is sold in black and white, while Samsung’s optional protective cases add more colors and an attachment loop.
That case is more important than it sounds. Unlike the SmartTag 2, the new tracker does not have a keyring hole built into its body. Anyone who wants to clip it directly to keys, luggage or a pet collar will need a case or another holder. That extra accessory cost is worth including when comparing it with other trackers.
The tracker carries an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating. That should make it suitable for everyday spills, rain and outdoor use, but IP67 is not a promise that it can withstand every type of water exposure.
A replaceable battery rated for up to 550 days
Samsung is keeping the user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell. The company rates normal battery life at up to 550 days, or as long as 790 days in power-saving mode. Samsung also says the third-generation tracker is 10 percent more power-efficient than its predecessor.
Those numbers are manufacturer estimates, not results from independent long-term testing. Real life will vary with alert frequency, nearby-finding use, network conditions and temperature. Still, a standard replaceable battery is a practical advantage over a rechargeable tracker that must be plugged in regularly.
How SmartTag 3 finding works
The SmartTag 3 uses Samsung’s Galaxy Find Network, not Google’s broader Find Hub network. Nearby Galaxy devices can anonymously help report a lost tag’s location, while compatible phones can use ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding for more precise direction and distance guidance at close range.
Samsung says supported devices can search for a tag from within roughly 200 feet under suitable conditions. Walls, radio interference and the phone being used can reduce that distance. Precise directional finding also depends on compatible hardware, so buyers should not assume every phone will offer the same experience.
New geofence alerts can notify an owner when a tag enters or leaves a chosen area. More sensitive movement alerts are designed to flag smaller shifts, and location history can show where the tag has traveled. Those tools may be useful for luggage, frequently misplaced equipment or pet accessories, although a SmartTag is not a substitute for a live GPS tracker with its own cellular connection.
What “works with iPhones” means
Samsung is promoting iOS support as a way to share finding information with friends, family members or pet sitters who use iPhones. That is a meaningful improvement for mixed-device households, but it does not mean the SmartTag 3 has joined Apple’s Find My network.
It also should not be read as confirmation that an iPhone gets every setup, ownership and precision-finding feature available on a supported Galaxy phone. Samsung has not yet clearly documented the complete iOS feature matrix, and support for non-Samsung Android phones was still unclear at announcement time. Shoppers outside the Galaxy ecosystem should wait for Samsung’s compatibility details before treating this as a fully platform-neutral tracker.
Pet activity features add another use case
Samsung is also positioning the SmartTag 3 as a lightweight pet activity monitor. Engadget reports that it can track motion and sleep activity when used with a pet. That could add useful context beyond a last-known location, but it is not a veterinary device and should not be treated as a medical monitor.
A Bluetooth crowd-network tracker also has an important limitation for pets: it depends on nearby participating devices to update a location when the tag is out of direct range. A dedicated GPS collar with cellular service is generally a better fit when continuous, wide-area tracking is essential.
Price, colors and availability
- Single SmartTag 3: $29.99
- Four-pack: $99.99
- Colors: black or white
- South Korea release: October 7, 2026
- US release: expected in early November 2026
Samsung had not published complete US case pricing or a full international rollout schedule at the time of announcement. Availability may therefore differ by market.
Who should consider it
The SmartTag 3 makes the most sense for Galaxy phone owners who want a compact tracker with a replaceable battery and who occasionally need to share location information with an iPhone user. Its smaller body, longer claimed battery life and new alerts are sensible upgrades.
The tradeoffs are equally clear: it remains tied to Samsung’s finding network, precise features require compatible hardware, and attaching it to keys now calls for a separate case. Buyers who primarily use iPhones or non-Samsung Android phones should confirm exactly which functions their device supports before ordering.
Featured image supplied by Samsung.