Samsung Galaxy SmartTag has debuted at the Galaxy Unpacked 2021 flagship event along with the much-anticipated Galaxy S21 smartphone series and Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds. The Bluetooth controller is designed to help you locate easily lost items, such as keys, bags, or even your pet. You can also access Samsung’s SmartThings Find service to use the Galaxy SmartTag to find things that aren’t in the realm of built-in Bluetooth technology. This will all be familiar to you if you have already used the Tile Bluetooth controller. However, Samsung seems to be making the competition tougher for Tile and giving Galaxy smartphone users a native choice. The company has also announced the Galaxy SmartTag + which will come later this year with Ultra Wideband (UWB) support for keeping a close eye on lost items.
Price Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, Galaxy SmartTag +
The price of Samsung Galaxy SmartTag was set at $ 29.99 (around Rs. 2,200). You can also get it in a pair of two devices at $ 49.99 (around Rs. 3,700) or a pack of four at $ 84.99 (around Rs. 6,200). The Galaxy SmartTag is currently available for pre-orders in a few markets including the UK and US, with availability available for January 29. By comparison, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag + will be available later this year at $ 39.99 (around Rs. 2,900) for its single unit or $ 64.99 (around Rs. 4,700) for a two-unit package. Pricing and accessibility information for the Galaxy SmartTag and Galaxy SmartTag + has yet to be announced.
To give you a little insight, the Tile Mate controller is currently available at $ 24.99 (around Rs. 1,800), while its Pro version that comes with a 400-foot Bluetooth range is at $ 34.99 ( around Rs. 2,600).
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag specifications
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is based on Bluetooth Low Energy v5.0 (BLE) technology that allows you to find objects within a range of 120 meters. It has a built-in speaker that makes a sound when you push the button from your phone to easily find a tagged item in your home or office. However, you can use the Galaxy SmartTag to go beyond finding lost items and you can accelerate it to even find your pet using the Galaxy Find Network via SmartThings Find service.
Samsung has also released a button on the Galaxy SmartTag that allows you to control Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the SmartThings app. This means you can turn on a connected light through the Galaxy SmartTag – without taking out your phone or pushing any switch in your room.
Samsung SmartTag provides location retrieval of lost items through the SmartThings app
Photo credit: Samsung
Just like any other Bluetooth device, the Galaxy SmartTag needs to be paired with your smartphone. The pairing happens through the SmartThings app. However, it is important to clarify that the controller is currently designed to work with Samsung Galaxy devices only and is compatible with Galaxy devices running on Android 8.0 Oreo or later with 2GB Minimum RAM. This is unlike Tile detectors that work with a range of Android and iOS devices.
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag includes a rechargeable CR2032 battery and is said to last for months. The device has a size of 39.11×39.11×9.9mm and a weight of 50.80 grams.
Samsung’s move to bring the Galaxy SmartTag exclusively to Galaxy smartphones comes amid rumors that Apple is developing the development of AirTag detectors. These tend to be compatible only with selected iPhone models.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag + Specifications
Unlike the regular Galaxy SmartTag, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag + will be available with Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for detailed analysis of lost location. This provides spatial accuracy and management capabilities. Samsung will also introduce enhanced virtual reality (AR) capabilities on the Galaxy SmartTag + to let you find your business along with on-screen guidance.
Specifications of the Galaxy SmartTag + are still being announced.
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