How Samsung’s Bluetooth SmartTag trackers work (and how to buy them)

This story is part of THESE, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the hottest gadgets from fully virtual CES 2021.

Samsung hosted its first Unpacked event of the year on Thursday, where, in addition to a trio of new Galaxy S21 phones, the company also introduced the SmartTag and the SmartTag Plus. The products are direct competitors to Tile, the small Bluetooth trackers that help locate lost items such as keys, your phone, pets, and anything you regularly lose or want to attach the tag to. Samsung offers a free SmartTag with Galaxy S21 pre-orders.

There are several things to know about the new product. For starters, SmartTags connect to SmartThings Find, a service already built right into Samsung Galaxy phones – SmartThings is Samsung’s hub for smart home devices. There are also two different types of SmartTags, which makes things confusing from the start (don’t worry, we’ll explain below).

Here’s everything we know about Samsung’s SmartTag so far (and what we don’t), from the price and how it works, to how to figure out which SmartTag to buy.

Samsung SmartTag: what does it do?

Samsung’s SmartTag is a small, battery-powered device that you can attach to things like a wallet, backpack, or even your pet. It is not known what type of SmartTag battery is using, how long it lasts, or how to replace it. We asked Samsung for more details.

Once set up and linked to your Samsung account, the beacon can be found using the SmartThings Find app on your phone.

How do you use a SmartTag to find a lost item?

After realizing that you have lost an item, open the SmartThings Find app on your smartphone. Then you press the Find map, choose the device you want to locate and wait for it to charge.

If you’re close to the lost item, you use the on-screen gauge to show how far away the item is. The fuller the gauge, the closer you get. To help you find the tag, you can make it play a sound.

If the beacon is not near you, don’t worry, it can still be found. Other Samsung devices near the beacon will locate it anonymously for you and then tell you where it is, all without the owner of the device doing anything. This is done in the background and is encrypted to ensure privacy.

Why are there two different types of SmartTags?

In a classic Samsung movement, there are two different types of SmartTags. The first, which is available with the Galaxy S21 range, uses Bluetooth Low Energy as the connection standard. The other version, called SmartTag Plus, will use ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity.

There are two versions of SmartTags because not all Samsung Galaxy phones support UWB, but they all support BLE. Only the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra support UWB.

What is the difference between the two SmartTags?

By using the SmartThings Find app to locate beacons equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy, you will not be able to see the exact location of a beacon, but an estimate of its distance or proximity. This is the same type of technology that is used to stream music from your phone to your wireless headphones or to allow your phone to act as a key with a smart lock.

With ultra broadband, your phone and the tag can talk to each other and estimate a more precise location, down to a few inches. Using a series of short pulses, a UWB device can communicate by measuring the time it takes for one of the pulses to be received and responded to by another UWB device. In short, UWB is much more accurate than BLE.

We are looking for more information on the expected distance difference between the two. We have a much more detailed explanation here what exactly UWB is, how it works, and other ways it can be used.

Will both Bluetooth and UWB SmartTag models be available at the same time?

Samsung is launching the standard SmartTag first, with the UWB SmartTag Plus version later. The company didn’t say when, just that it was going to happen. Since a SmartTag comes with Galaxy S21 pre-orders, we’re assuming the BLE version is what’s included.

How much do SmartTags cost?

The SmartTag available for the Galaxy S21 launch is $ 30 for one, $ 50 for two, and $ 85 for a four-pack. The UWB version will launch at $ 40 for one and $ 65 for a two-pack.

What is this bundle deal with a Galaxy S21?

If you pre-order a Galaxy S21, you’ll get a free SmartTag, as well as a credit ranging from $ 100 to $ 200, depending on which S21 model you order.

Will both beacons work with all Galaxy phones?

No. Currently, last year’s Galaxy S21 Plus, S21 Ultra, and Note 20 Ultra support UWB SmartTag technology. All other Galaxy phones only support the BLE version of the SmartTag.

What else do I need to know?

UWB’s added features mean you can use a dedicated augmented reality mode in the SmartThings Find app that will help you locate a beacon in the real world, instead of using a gauge that fills up as you go. approach it.

Using AR, you’ll be able to hold your phone and see exactly where the tag is, using a combination of your phone’s camera and an in-app graphic to see the world around you.

The battery life is expected to last for months, but it is not known if the battery is replaceable. We’ve asked Samsung for more details and will update when we know more.

Once we get our hands on SmartTags and the S21, we’ll update this article with more information. Until then, be sure to check out our first impressions of the S21 Ultra. If you want to pre-order an S21, here is all you need to know. We are also interested in the S21 Ultra S Pen Capabilities.