Samsung just released the Galaxy SmartTag3, its first tracker redesign since 2023, and it's made three moves that actually matter: it's radically smaller, it finally works with iPhones, and the battery life is legitimately impressive.
The size drop is the most obvious change. The SmartTag3 is 35% smaller and 33% lighter than its predecessor, ditching the built-in keyring loop entirely. Samsung now sells separate Silicone and Loop cases if you want to attach it to keys or bags. The rounded form factor makes it less bulky in a pocket or backpack than earlier models.
Battery life is the real story. Samsung rates it at 550 days of standard use, or up to 790 days if you enable Power Saving Mode. That's roughly 1.5 to 2.1 years before you need to swap the CR2032 coin cell. For comparison, the previous generation managed around a year. That's a meaningful jump—it means fewer battery swaps and less waste.
The iPhone support is significant, though limited. For the first time, iPhone users can access core tracking features through Samsung's SmartThings Find app. They can view, share, and search for a SmartTag3. Galaxy device owners get more: they keep Compass View (directional guidance up to 60 meters away thanks to Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding) and geofence alerts that notify you when a tagged item leaves a defined area. iPhones lose those features. Still, this breaks Samsung's previous all-or-nothing stance and makes cross-household sharing actually workable.
The tracker also has IP67 water and dust resistance, keeping it safe whether it's in a gym bag or attached to luggage.
The Galaxy SmartTag3 launched in South Korea on October 7 and arrives in the US by early November, priced at $29.99 for a single tracker or $99.99 for a four-pack. That matches the old pricing and keeps it competitive with Apple AirTag and the incoming Google Pixel Tag. Samsung is also running a promotional discount through October 31 for buyers of certain Galaxy devices like the Galaxy Z8 and Galaxy Tab S12 series.
The SmartTag3 doesn't reinvent item tracking. It still won't work with Pixel phones or most other Android devices—only Galaxy and iPhone get support. But the combination of a genuinely smaller form factor, cross-platform compatibility, and extended battery life makes it a better product than what Samsung shipped three years ago. If you've got a mix of Galaxy and Apple devices in your household, this is the first Samsung tracker that actually makes sense.
Sources: How-To Geek, Android Headlines, BigGo Finance, Memeburn, Pocket Lint, Gizmochina