Samsung Galaxy SmartTag: Bluetooth tracker put to the test


Mislaid keys and other missing items are not only annoying, they usually trigger stress or even panic. Often you want a function that tells you where the object you are looking for is. For some time now, manufacturers such as Tile have been launching Bluetooth trackers that can be attached to a keychain, for example. With a suitable app, at least the approximate location can be determined. Apple also offers such a gadget with the Apple Air Tags, Samsung has been on the market a little longer with the Galaxy SmartTag. COMPUTER BILD has tried out in the test whether the little helper fulfills its promises.

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Galaxy SmartTag: What’s in it?

Packaging of the Galaxy SmartTag

Like the SmartTag, the packaging is kept very simple.

Samsung relies on minimalism for the Galaxy SmartTag. This is already reflected in the packaging, because apart from the SmartTag itself and brief instructions, nothing is included. He doesn’t need anything else either – a battery makes charging cables and mains plugs superfluous. The small tracker – it measures just 4×4 centimeters – comes with a hole for attaching to the desired object. But you’d better set it up beforehand! The battery (CR2032) is included and installed in the scope of delivery. Get started right after opening the packaging. All that is absolutely necessary is the SmartThings app from Samsung, which is installed on all of the manufacturer’s current devices. Alternatively, it can be conveniently downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store. However, the plastic surface also has disadvantages: when it was first attached to a key ring, it made an unsightly notch on the SmartTag. It would be better if the ring around the mounting hole was made of metal. Apart from that, it is easy to attach and no additional accessories are required – which is why Samsung doesn’t offer any. The rest of the surface did not turn out to be resistant in the scratch test either – the tracker is also not designed for a bathroom. If he gets more than one shower of rain, the technology is gone and the little helper is useless.

Easy setup of the Galaxy SmartTag?

The installation is not particularly complicated. If the app isn’t up to date, quickly update it. Then start the application and connect the SmartTag. This is done using the plus symbol at the top right of the home page. Next, tap device, then the tag can either be searched for using the “Scan environment” function or added manually using the Tag / Tracker device type. Then simply follow the instructions on your smartphone. After installation, the app remains largely clear and self-explanatory.

Setup screenshots

The Galaxy SmartTag is set up using the SmartThings app.

Galaxy SmartTag: Search and Find

The most important function of the Galaxy SmartTag is “Search and Find” – this works via Bluetooth and the SmartThings app. In the immediate vicinity, the smartphone uses the radio technology to recognize where the tracker is currently located. This also works the other way around. To determine the exact location, there are acoustic signals that are emitted by either the SmartTag or the mobile phone – depending on what you are currently looking for. That worked reliably in both directions in the test. The SmartTag search can be easily activated in the app: You select it and activate the search for the area under “Status”. Precise guidance is not possible with the SmartTag – only the Galaxy SmartTag + offers Ultrawideband. The display of the signal strength gives an approximate orientation. After activating the “Find your device with tag” function, you can search for the smartphone by double-clicking on the SmartTag – a melody will also sound here.
SmartThings Screenshot Tracking

The SmartTag can be tracked using Samsung smartphones.

The SmartThings app helps outside of the Bluetooth range. With the help of the application, Samsung users around the world should be able to help with the search – because their smartphones scan their surroundings for the SmartTags and deliver the corresponding information to the company via the app. Samsung laid the foundation for this in 2020 with “SmartThings Find”. This function can also be used to find Galaxy Buds. And does it all work in practice? Yes – that is the short and clear answer. In the test, COMPUTER BILD examined, among other things, the time period for locating in busy places. In the supermarket, it took between six and 18 minutes for the app to display a notification. Regular updates make it possible to search for a SmartTag that is currently traveling again and again. This also works for a week without direct contact with the tracker, as the involuntary long-term experiment showed. Another test point is the range of the signal, including the duration until it can be located by another smartphone. It turned out that another device may be a maximum of one meter away so that the tracker can be recognized after two minutes.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag

The Galaxy SmartTag scores with ease of use.

What about privacy?

The subject of privacy is also very important with the trackers, because nobody wants to be spied on with the little helpers. Apple is therefore installing stalking protection to protect against unwanted fellow travelers. So far, Samsung has not found this feature. In addition, COMPUTER BILD had the general terms and conditions (GTC) and the data protection provisions checked by a law firm. Samsung ended up in the middle: The company has hidden some consumer-unfriendly clauses in the terms and conditions and the experts found an ineffective clause – test grade 4 for the terms and conditions and grade 3 for the data protection provisions.

Galaxy Smart Tag: price and availability

There are different pricing options: A Galaxy SmartTag costs 34.90 euros, Samsung also offers bundles of two and four SmartTags on its own website. They then cost less in total. Two SmartTags cost 59.90 euros, and Samsung charges 99.90 euros for four. In terms of color, you have the rather modest choice between black and oatmeal (light beige).

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag on Amazon

Galaxy SmartTag: Alternative Galaxy SmartTag +?

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag + essentially offers one innovation: the search via Ultrawideband (UWB). This means that indoor locations can be located down to a few centimeters. However, by no means all Samsung smartphones support this function. If you don’t own any of the suitable devices and don’t want to buy one in the near future, the Galaxy SmartTag is the better choice – because Samsung is of course paying extra for the extra.

Galaxy SmartTag: conclusion of the test

The Galaxy SmartTag is particularly suitable for users who are already familiar with Samsung devices. Then the installation works quickly and easily. It is the slimmed-down version of the Galaxy SmartTag + and therefore does not offer the full range of functions. However, this only makes it worse to a certain extent, because thanks to the display of the signal strength, searching in the vicinity is still easy. You can also rely on the Samsung Finder Community outside of your own four walls. Weaknesses are the non-scratch-resistant material and the lack of stalking protection. If you are looking for a cheap tracker to use in the Samsung cosmos, you are well served with the Galaxy SmartTag.



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