Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Choose the tracker that matches the phones and devices likely to be nearby. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3 works with supported Galaxy phones and, for core finding and sharing, iPhones through SmartThings—but some features are unavailable on iOS. Apple AirTag (2nd generation) is designed for Apple devices and Find My. Both use replaceable CR2032 batteries; their manufacturers publish different battery-life estimates that are not directly comparable test results.
SmartTag3 vs. AirTag at a glance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3 | Apple AirTag (2nd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible devices | Galaxy devices running Android 12 or later, and iOS devices running iOS 17 or later; SmartThings app required. Samsung specifies Galaxy devices for Android support. | iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or iPad with iPadOS 26 or later; Apple Account required. |
| Out-of-range location network | Samsung Galaxy Find Network, which uses participating Galaxy devices as finding nodes. | Apple Find My network, which uses nearby Apple devices to detect the tag and report an approximate location. |
| Nearby-finding figures | Samsung lists Bluetooth LE connectivity up to 120 m, Bluetooth Channel Sounding guidance up to 60 m under line-of-sight conditions, and UWB up to 20 m. Support and features depend on compatible Galaxy hardware and region. | Apple says Precision Finding works from up to 50% farther away than on the previous generation; it does not give an absolute distance in the cited announcement. |
| Battery | Replaceable CR2032. Samsung estimates up to 550 days in standard use or up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode, with some features disabled in that mode. | Replaceable CR2032. Apple says more than a year; actual life varies with use and conditions. |
| Water and dust rating | IP67; Samsung states up to 1 m for up to 30 minutes and cautions that resistance can diminish over time. | IP67; Apple states up to 1 m for up to 30 minutes and cautions that resistance is not permanent. |
These are manufacturer specifications and claims, not results from an independent head-to-head test. A tracker’s network performance depends on participating devices being nearby, settings, network conditions and location.
Does Samsung SmartTag3 work with iPhone?
Yes. Samsung says SmartTag3 supports iOS 17 or later through the SmartThings app, including core finding and sharing. That does not mean the iPhone version has feature parity with a supported Galaxy phone: Samsung says Compass View, Ring Phone and Left Behind Alert are unavailable on iOS.
SmartTag3 is therefore a possible choice for a household that uses both Galaxy and iPhone devices and wants SmartThings-based sharing, provided iPhone users can live without those features. Check that the app and device requirements are met before buying; support and availability can vary by region.
#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
Can I use AirTag with Android?
The AirTag (2nd generation) is built around Apple’s Find My system. Apple lists an iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26 or later, and an Apple Account as requirements. The cited Apple materials do not establish Android as a supported setup for using AirTag as your everyday tracker, so choose a tracker designed for your phone platform if you primarily use Android.
Which has better tracking, SmartTag3 or AirTag?
There is no evidence here to declare one universally faster or more reliable. The practical choice is the finding network whose participating devices are more likely to be near the lost item: SmartTag3 reports through Galaxy Find Network, while AirTag reports through Find My.
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.
Out-of-range finding
Samsung says more than 900 million participating Galaxy devices worldwide can act as Galaxy Find Network nodes. Apple describes Find My as comprising more than a billion iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. Those are each company’s published network-scale figures, not independent counts of active nearby devices, and they do not guarantee an update interval or coverage in a particular place. Do not use them alone to predict which tracker will locate an item first.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Finding an item nearby
Samsung’s up-to-60-m Bluetooth Channel Sounding guidance is qualified by line of sight; walls, other obstacles and nearby electronics can reduce range and accuracy. Samsung lists support at announcement for Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, S26 Ultra and S26 Plus, with regional availability also applying. Compass View likewise requires supported Galaxy hardware.
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
Apple describes the second-generation AirTag’s Precision Finding as working from up to 50% farther away than the prior generation, but that relative improvement cannot be compared directly with Samsung’s meter figures. Apple’s announcement gives no absolute distance for the claim.
How long does the SmartTag3 battery last?
Samsung estimates up to 550 days under standard usage, or up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode, from the included replaceable CR2032 battery. Samsung says these figures come from simulated internal testing of typical-use scenarios with a prerelease unit. Actual life varies with use, surroundings, battery manufacturer and other factors.
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
Power Saving Mode extends the stated estimate by disabling or limiting features, including Compass View, volume and ringtone settings; basic Bluetooth LE finding remains. It is not a like-for-like estimate of the standard feature set.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →How long does an AirTag battery last?
Apple says the second-generation AirTag lasts more than a year on a standard replaceable CR2032 battery. Apple notes that actual life varies with usage, environmental conditions and replacement battery manufacturer. This company estimate and Samsung’s simulated day counts use different published descriptions, so they do not establish a precise battery-life winner.
Best Value
- 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)
Which one should you choose?
- Choose SmartTag3 if your household uses supported Galaxy devices, or you want SmartThings core finding and sharing across Galaxy and iOS devices and accept the iOS feature restrictions.
- Choose AirTag if you use current Apple devices and want a tracker integrated with Find My.
- For either one, consider which participating devices are likely to be near the places where you might lose an item; vendor network-size figures do not predict local coverage.
Availability as of October 3, 2026
Samsung said SmartTag3 availability in Korea would begin October 7, 2026, followed by the U.S., with additional markets scheduled for 2027. The first Korea sale date had not yet arrived on October 3, and Samsung did not give an exact U.S. date in its announcement. Apple announced AirTag (2nd generation) as available on January 26, 2026. Availability may differ by market.
Quick Recap
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.
