There are two types of Samsung tag. One is SmartTag, and another one is SmartTag+.
These two tags have different technology inside. The SmartTag uses Bluetooth and compatible with every Samsung phone. The SmartTag+ is only compatible with Galaxy phones that have UWB chip inside. As of writing this article, few devices such as Galaxy S20 ultra, Note 20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, etc., have this UWB chip inside.
Price of Galaxy SmartTags:
Galaxy SmartTag Price:
- 1 SmartTag $29.99
- 2 Pack SmartTag $49.99 ( Unit Count: $24.99)
- 4 Pack SmartTag $84.99 (Unit Count: $21.25)
Galaxy SmartTag+ Price:
- 1 SmartTag+ $39.99
- 2 Pack SmartTag+ $64.99 (Unit Count: 32.50)
These two tags works differently and offer different benefit. First, let’s talk about the Samsung SmartTag.
Pros of SmartTag:
Works with Every Galaxy Phones:
Galaxy SmartTag uses low energy Bluetooth BLE 5 and is compatible with every Samsung Galaxy phone with Android 8.0 and at least 2GB RAM. However, this SmartTag is not a standalone device. We need to download the latest SmartThings app (Samsung Connect) to control the SmartTag. The classic SmartThings app will not work.
Device Control:
If we have IoT devices in our house and is registered with the SmartThings app, we can control various IoT devices with the SmartTag. For example, we can turn on or off AC, TV, lights, etc. We can also open and close our garage door or home’s smart lock.
Easy to Use:
We can attach the SmartTag with keys, luggage, earbuds, pet collar, handbag, phone case, and locate them quickly with our phone if we misplace them.
This tag is beneficial, especially for travel luggage and for our pet’s collar.
Audio Notification:
The SmartTag has a built-in speaker. When necessary, we can enable a sound on the SmartTag from our Galaxy phone to locate it.
Battery Life:
The SmartTag uses a replaceable CR2032 1ea. This battery can power the SmartTag for more than several months.
IP68 rating:
The Galaxy SmartTag is IP68 rated. Thus it is waterproof and dustproof.
Galaxy Find Network:
Even if the SmartTag is out of our phone range, Samsung can securely use other Samsung phones and devices to locate the SmartTag. It is known as Galaxy Find Network.
Free Returns:
If we buy this SmartTag from Samsung online store, Samsung will give us 15 days return window.
Cons of SmartTag:
These are the cons of Samsung SmartTag.
Does not work with Non-Galaxy phones:
Like Apple, Samsung is trying to build a closed ecosystem. That’s why even though the SmartTag uses Bluetooth to communicate with a phone, it will still not work with a Non-Samsung smartphone. Please don’t buy this tag if you are an iPhone, OnePlus, LG, Xiaomi phone user.
Battery Life:
Though the SmartTag replaceable CR2032 1ea battery can last for months, unfortunately, it’s not enough. Replacing the battery every month could soon become a headache and pain point for using this device.
Note:
If you are in the US, you can purchase this SmartTag from Samsung for $29.99, but in Europe, you have to pay €34.90. Many people say that when we convert $29.99 to Euro, the price should be €24.83, but it’s not. The cost of SmartTag in Europe is higher because of EU taxes and other factors.
Pros of SmartTag+:
Many of the benefits of SmartTag+ overlaps with SamrtTag, though their internal technology is different. These are the benefits of Galaxy SmartTag+.
UWB is a Superior Technology:
Similar to WiFi and Bluetooth, ultra-wideband(UWB) is a short-range wireless communication protocol. However, there are several critical differences between UWB, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Typical Bluetooth has a 10m (33 ft) range, Bluetooth 5.0 has a range from 40m to 400m (100 to 1,000 ft), and WiFi has a range up to 100m (330 ft). On the other hand, based on IEEE 802.15.4a, UWB has a line of sight range up to 200m (656 ft).
Though both technologies have a similar range, ultra-wideband (UWB) is superior to measure distance than Bluetooth and WiFi. For example, If we want to calculate distance using a WiFi signal, our accuracy would be 5 to 15 meters, and Bluetooth’s accuracy would be 1 to 3 meters. In contrast, UWB has an accuracy of up to 10cm (3.9 inches).
Therefore, as Samsung SmartTag+ uses UWB, we can locate our belongings very accurately.
AR App:
The SmartTag+ technology allows a Galaxy phone to pinpoint it with an AR app. So, not only sound but also visually, we can find our SmartTag+.
The following pros overlap with SmartTag.
Easy to Use:
We can attach the SmartTag+ with keys, luggage, earbuds, pet collar, handbag, phone case, and locate them quickly with our phone if we misplace them.
Device Control:
If we have IoT devices in our house and is registered with the SmartThings app, we can control various IoT devices with the SmartTag+. For example, we can turn on or off AC, TV, lights, etc. We can also open and close our garage door or home’s smart lock.
Battery Life:
The SmartTag+ uses a replaceable CR2032 1ea. This battery can power the SmartTag+ for more than several months.
IP68 rating:
The Galaxy SmartTag+ is IP68 rated. Thus it is waterproof and dustproof.
Audio Notification:
The SmartTag+ has a built-in speaker. When necessary, we can enable a sound on the SmartTag+ from our Galaxy phone to locate it.
Galaxy Find Network:
Even if the SmartTag+ is out of our phone range, Samsung can securely use other Samsung phones and devices to locate the SmartTag+. It is known as Galaxy Find Network.
Free Returns:
If we buy this SmartTag+ from Samsung online store, Samsung will give us 15 days return window.
Cons of SmartTag+:
Does not work with Every Galaxy Phone:
Unlike the traditional SmartTag, the SmartTag+ does not work with every Galaxy smartphone. It only works with Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, and a select few phones. Therefore, if you don’t have these phones, please don’t buy the SmartTag+.
Battery Life:
Though the SmartTag+ replaceable CR2032 1ea battery can last for months, unfortunately, it’s not enough. Replacing the battery every month could soon become a headache and pain point for using this device.
Bottom Line:
SmartTag is very useful. If you have a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or S21 Ultra, we highly recommend you buy the SmartTag+. Though its price is higher than the SmartTag, it has superior tech and can locate belongings accurately than the SmartTag.
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