Tech Talk

In our world of tech giants, two of the biggest and most widely known are Samsung and Apple. So when each has announced a new smart tracker, it's natural to question if you should get the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ or the Apple AirTag.When Samsung first announced its Galaxy SmartTags back in January 2021, the version that caught most fan's eye was the SmartTag+. This was due to the inclusion of UltraWide Band (UWB) technology for pinpoint tracking, among other features. Apple, as not to be outdone, has a tracker of its own on the way called the AirTag. Utilizing the same UWB technology in its own U1 chip, Apple is making a push of its own to help users find their lost items. Samsung may have been first, but is it best?

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ vs. Apple AirTag: Always within reach

With today's busy lifestyles, it is easy for things to slip our minds. From car keys to luggage and a whole lot more, things can get misplaced. For a few years now, Tile Bluetooth trackers have been one of the most widely known best Bluetooth trackers on the market. While Bluetooth has done a great job at ushering in a more wireless world, technology has evolved, and the new hotness is UWB. This is the tech that both Samsung and Apple utilize to make their trackers more precise and feature-filled.

While both relatively small in stature, the AirTag does manage to come out on top. The disc-shaped tracker is about a quarter of an inch smaller overall while also being thinner, and while this may seem like a minute difference when you attach it to a set of keys — less is more. Should you lose those keys where they may get rained on, you'll have IP67 weather resistance to make sure your AirTag can still help you find them.

On the other hand, Samsung does manage to take advantage of the extra space within the SmartTag+ by integrating smart home controls into it. Samsung has one of the best smart home hubs with support for thousands of products, and allowing you to control those devices remotely with a click of your SmartTag+ can be helpful. While Samsung's tracker does have some water resistance with an IP53 rating, it won't withstand as much weather as the AirTag will.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ vs. Apple AirTag: Tracking your stuff

Both the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag+ use Bluetooth LE and UltraWide Band technologies to offer the best location services for finding what you've lost. UWB allows for very low-power signal pulses to communicate with devices that support this. These signals create a very accurate range for finding the tracker — as in within a half-inch.

Speaking of compatible devices, as with most Apple products, to get the most of them, you'll need one of its products. For the AirTag, you'll need to be using an iPhone 11 or newer, as it is the only device supporting UWB at the moment. On the SmartTag+ side, currently, the only hardware supporting UWB is the Galaxy S21 series of phones.

Apple is using its Find My network to handle the task of locating your AirTag via Precision Finding. The app will attempt to tell you how far from the tracker you are and guide you to its location and tell the AirTag to make a sound to help find it. The caveat here is that the Find My app is only available on Apple devices.

Should you be out of the physical range of your AirTag, other iPhones, iPads, and Macs whose users have opted into the Find My program will be used to anonymously help locate and send you the whereabouts of your lost item. Another feature that can be helpful is the built-in NFC that is used should someone find your AirTag. That person can scan the tracker and find your info, should you choose to provide it, to contact you — but this feature leans heavily on the goodness of the person who finds your AirTag.

On the other side, Samsung puts its SmartThings name behind its tracking app with the recently announced SmartThings Find initiative. Similar to how the Find My app works with the AirTag, you'll be shown your device on a map. As you get closer, your SmartTag+ can begin ringing, with your phone will help guide you using augmented reality. While the SmartThings app is available on Android and iOS, the SmartThings Find portion is currently only available on Galaxy devices.

Another area where Samsung may have pulled one over on the Apple designers when it comes to the SmartTag+'s design is in the built-in loop. This lets you attach a key ring, a clip, or other means of connecting the tracker to your belongings.

At launch, if you want to attach your tracker to something, you'll need to purchase one of the Hermès branded accessories — starting at $299. Though assuredly there will be third-party accessories in the future for the Apple AirTag, you'll need to fork over extra money either way.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ vs. Apple AirTag: Which does more with your phone?

Like most things when it comes to Apple vs. Android and the products available for each, it mostly boils down to the ecosystem you're in. If you're all-in on Apple, then the AirTag will be a better fit, whereas the opposite is true for the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+. Apple has a larger network of devices compatible with the Find My app, and the AirTag is a bit cheaper and more weather resistant.

However, Samsung is quickly expanding the availability of the SmartThings Find network to work with more devices. Currently, you can use it to locate your phone, Galaxy Tablet, Galaxy Buds Pro, and Galaxy Watch 3, with more coming. The SmartTag+ does an excellent job of adding functionality out of the box with a built-in loop for attaching items and smart home control. In the end, both are going to be great products, but only if you use the correct devices.

Doing more

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

Find it and use it

Available in the coming weeks for $40

From pinpoint tracking to smart home controls, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ can help you in more ways than one.

Design at its core

Apple AirTag

Simple and effective

Pre-order April 23 from $29 at Apple

The Apple AirTag is compact and powerful. With precision location technology and an expansive network to assist in finding your tracker, your items won't be lost long.