An original-generation Galaxy SmartTag, photographed in 2021. This archival image does not show the newly announced SmartTag3. Photo: Havok / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Samsung is widening the audience for its item trackers with Galaxy SmartTag3, announced September 30. The device will reach the United States by early November at $29.99 for one or $99.99 for four, according to Samsung’s US announcement.
The most useful change may be support for iPhones. Compatible Galaxy and iOS devices can check and share a tag’s location and use Search Nearby through SmartThings Find. But Samsung’s footnotes say iOS misses Compass View, Ring Phone and Left Behind Alert. Before buying for a household with different phones, check the functions each person actually needs.
What changes when you are searching
Samsung says the new tag is about 35% smaller by volume and 33% lighter than its predecessor. It also advertises Compass View guidance from up to 60 meters using Bluetooth Channel Sounding, with UWB providing closer-range precision. The maximum distance assumes a clear line of sight and a supported Galaxy phone. Walls and other obstacles can reduce it.
That distinction matters. A tracker’s headline range does not describe every search through a crowded home or baggage hall. Compatibility, physical obstructions and the distance between the phone and tag all deserve attention alongside the product’s size.
Bluetooth SIG’s technical explanation, published in 2024, describes Channel Sounding as a way for Bluetooth devices to measure their separation more accurately. It combines phase-based ranging with round-trip timing. In practical terms, that is a more specific question than simply asking whether a device is nearby.
A meaningful change for sharing
For context, Samsung’s SmartTag2 launch material from October 2023 tied the earlier model’s full finding experience to compatible Galaxy hardware. It already offered directional guidance and a power-saving mode. Buyers should therefore distinguish familiar tracker functions from the new cross-platform access.
For a shared suitcase or set of keys, access from both phone platforms could be more useful than a specification bump. The practical buying question is whether everyone who borrows that item can use the finding tools they expect. The launch information provides a starting point; real-world testing will be needed to judge reliability.
