Choose based on the phones and finding network you use: SmartTag3 works through Samsung SmartThings Find and adds support for Galaxy and iOS devices, while AirTag (2nd generation) is set up and managed with an iPhone or iPad through Apple’s Find My network. Their advertised range figures are not directly comparable: Samsung gives a conditional distance for one nearby-finding feature, while Apple describes an improvement over the previous AirTag without giving a matching meter figure.
Compatibility: which phones can use each tracker?
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3
Samsung describes SmartTag3 as its first Galaxy SmartTag with cross-OS compatibility for Galaxy and iOS through SmartThings Find. Samsung says supported iOS users can check and share a tag’s location and use supported Search Nearby functions. This is SmartThings Find support, not access to Apple’s Find My network. Because supported functions can vary by phone and feature, confirm the current SmartThings Find compatibility details for the specific device you plan to use.
Nearby Compass View has narrower requirements than the headline cross-OS support. Samsung Canada says it works on Galaxy devices running Android 12 or later that support UWB or Bluetooth Channel Sounding. That page lists Bluetooth Channel Sounding support on Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus, and says availability varies by country, region and device.
Apple AirTag (2nd generation)
Apple’s product page lists an Apple Account and an iPhone with iOS 26.0 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26.0 or later, for setup. Apple Support says AirTag (2nd generation) requires iOS 26.2.1 or later. For the current generation’s Precision Finding requirements and supported devices, see Apple Support’s Use AirTag and Find My to keep track of your personal items.
#1 Best Overall
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only
An Android phone does not pair with or manage an AirTag as its owner. Apple’s Android compatibility in this context is for unwanted-tracking alerts; a finder can also tap an AirTag with an NFC-capable phone to access Lost Mode information.
Nearby finding: what the range figures actually mean
SmartTag3 and AirTag both support nearby finding, but the manufacturers publish different kinds of range claims. They do not establish a head-to-head range winner.
Rank #2
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
| Feature | SmartTag3 | AirTag (2nd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby precision finding | Samsung advertises up to 60 m for Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding under line-of-sight conditions, with no obstacles. Walls, other obstructions and nearby electronics can reduce detection range and direction or distance accuracy. Compass View can become more precise at closer range with UWB. | Apple says Precision Finding reaches up to 50% farther than the previous AirTag generation. Apple also says the updated Bluetooth chip expands the range at which an item can be located, but its reviewed materials do not give a matching meter figure. |
| Other Bluetooth figure | Samsung Canada lists up to 120 m Bluetooth LE connectivity for signal-strength checks and settings. This is a separate specification, not a guaranteed locating radius. | A comparable absolute Bluetooth distance is not stated in the reviewed Apple materials. |
| Compatible watch | Samsung’s cited materials do not state a comparable watch-based Precision Finding capability. | Apple says Precision Finding is supported on Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later with the specified software. |
These are manufacturer specifications, not results from a controlled comparison. Treat the 60 m and 120 m SmartTag3 figures as feature-specific claims, not dependable everyday distances. Nearby performance depends on surroundings, obstacles and supported hardware.
Finding an item after it leaves Bluetooth range
When the tag is too far away for a direct connection, each product relies on its own crowd-finding network. Nearby participating devices can detect a tag and relay an approximate location to its owner; neither tracker is described here as having its own GPS or promising a fixed update interval.
Rank #3
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
| Network | Manufacturer’s stated scale | What that means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Find Network | Samsung says more than 900 million participating Galaxy devices can serve as finding nodes. | A location update depends on participating devices being nearby, as well as network conditions, settings and region. |
| Apple Find My | Apple says Find My can leverage more than a billion Apple devices. | Apple describes secure Bluetooth relays and approximate tag locations reported to the owner. Updates depend on nearby devices and conditions. |
The larger stated network count does not by itself predict which tracker will find an item sooner in a particular place. Consider the devices commonly carried by people around you and the areas where you expect to use the tag.
Alerts, sharing and recovery features
SmartTag3
Samsung lists Place Notification for configured areas, location history retained for up to seven days, Movement Detection Alert, Left Behind Alert and NFC Lost Mode. The global announcement describes Place Notification as a trial feature. Samsung says its displayed place can differ from the tag’s actual location. Movement alerts rely on nearby Galaxy devices participating in Offline finding and might not trigger in some surroundings; left-behind alerts depend on the direct device connection and can be affected by interference. NFC Lost Mode lets a finder view contact information registered by the owner.
Rank #4
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
AirTag (2nd generation)
Apple’s Lost Mode can display contact information to someone who finds the tag. Apple also supports temporary item-location sharing with trusted parties, including participating airlines; sharing ends when the item is recovered or after seven days. Apple says location communication is encrypted and relayed devices are anonymous.
Apple says iPhone and Android phones can alert someone when an AirTag separated from its owner is traveling with them, and the tag can emit a sound. These are manufacturer descriptions of safety and privacy features, not an independent security audit. Apple describes AirTag as designed for tracking objects, not people or pets.
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- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, activates your compatible IoT devices and stays powered for up to 500 days or even up to 40% more on Non-Power Saving Mode
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something. Switch on Search Nearby and get guided instructions to your item's location via Compass View; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- Type of battery needed: replaceable CR2032 1 ea Lithium battery (not included)
Battery, water resistance and attachment
| Consideration | SmartTag3 | AirTag (2nd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery claim | Samsung states up to 550 days under standard use, or up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode. Samsung bases the estimates on internal lab testing and modeled typical-use consumption with a pre-release unit and the in-box CR2032. Actual duration varies; Power Saving Mode disables some functions, including Compass View and volume or ringtone settings. | Apple says the replaceable CR2032 battery lasts more than a year. |
| Water and dust resistance | IP67. Samsung warns resistance may diminish over time. | IP67 under IEC 60529: up to 1 m for 30 minutes in controlled conditions. Apple warns resistance may diminish over time. |
| Attachment | Samsung lists separate silicone and keyring and loop cases. | Apple offers key rings and other accessories. |
The battery figures use different assumptions and are manufacturer estimates, not a tested lifetime comparison. Both use a CR2032 replacement battery; check the exact product listing and compatibility when buying a replacement. IP67 is a defined test rating, not a promise that either tracker is waterproof in every condition; follow the maker’s care instructions.
U.S. availability and announced prices
As of October 4, 2026, Samsung’s U.S. announcement says SmartTag3 is due by early November 2026 at $29.99 for one or $99.99 for four. Samsung says the rollout begins in Korea on October 7, with the U.S. following and more markets planned for 2027. These are announced U.S. prices and timing, not confirmation of current retail stock.
Apple’s January 26, 2026 announcement lists U.S. prices of $29 for one AirTag or $99 for four and said it was available to order. Prices and stock can vary by retailer and market.
Quick Recap
Which tracker should you choose?
- Choose SmartTag3 if SmartThings Find and the Galaxy Find Network suit your household, or you want its newly announced SmartThings support for Galaxy and iOS devices. Check that the functions you need work on your particular phone, especially Compass View.
- Choose AirTag if you use an iPhone or iPad and want the tracker integrated with Apple Find My, including Apple’s item-sharing and unwanted-tracking alert features.
- For a mixed-phone household, compare the supported functions on each person’s phone rather than assuming cross-OS support makes the two ecosystems interchangeable. SmartTag3’s iOS support is through SmartThings Find; it does not join Find My.
- For finding items in a particular region, weigh the devices likely to be nearby and the places you visit. Network size claims are not guarantees of coverage or update timing.
- For a tag that needs to attach to keys or a bag, include the cost and availability of a compatible case or holder. Both makers sell or list attachment accessories.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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