Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3 adds iPhone support and sharper tracking
Samsung is shaking up the smart tracker market. For the first time, the Galaxy SmartTag 3 works with iPhone. That's a direct shot at rivals. Now, both Android and iOS users can track their stuff with one tag.
The SmartTag 3 supports Bluetooth LE with a maximum range of up to 120 meters, making it one of the longest-range consumer trackers currently available.
Precision tracking and device compatibility
Inside, the SmartTag 3 gets Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding and a built-in UWB chip. This unlocks Compass View mode. It can find lost items with centimeter-level accuracy up to 60 meters away. According to an official Samsung announcement, UWB kicks in when you're close, narrowing the search to as little as 20 meters. That's a big jump. The range is three to four times greater than before. But there's a catch. High-precision tracking only works with certain Samsung phones: Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy S26 Ultra, and Galaxy S26 Plus. Samsung says more devices may get support later. For now, only these models get the full experience.
Battery life is better too. The SmartTag 3 still uses a CR2032 coin cell. Efficiency tweaks mean up to 550 days in normal mode and 790 days in power-saving mode. Gadgets 360 confirms these numbers. There's a new aluminum button. You can use it to find your paired phone or trigger SmartThings routines. The tag is IP67 rated for water and dust. It's built to last.
iPhone support and feature limitations
iPhone users finally get in on the action. The SmartTag 3 works with the updated SmartThings Find app. You get basic tracking and family sharing. But Samsung keeps some features for its own phones. Compass View, phone calling from the tag, and forgotten item alerts are only on Samsung devices. Reviews show that on iOS, you only get basic tracking and sharing. Compass View, Ring Phone, and Left Behind Alert don't work on iPhone. That may frustrate some. Still, it's a step toward real cross-platform tracking.
Availability, pricing, and colors
Samsung has clarified that Compass View and Bluetooth Channel Sounding features are currently restricted to select Galaxy models, and are not fully available on iOS devices. This means that while SmartTag 3 offers basic cross-platform tracking, advanced directional finding remains exclusive to recent Samsung flagships.
Samsung's move to open SmartTag 3 to iPhone users is a clear strategy. The hardware leap and cross-platform support will draw more buyers. But the best features stay with Samsung phones. That's no accident. For anyone who wants a tracker that works on both platforms and lasts a long time, the SmartTag 3 raises the bar. Full feature parity isn't here yet. But the gap is closing.
