REVIEW: Galaxy SmartTag 2, Samsung tracker that rivals AirTag

O Galaxy SmartTags 2 is the new generation of digital tracker from the Korean brand that can be attached to any everyday object and accessory, including being able to be used on your pet's collar. The smart device promises long battery life and water resistance.

Design

With design produced by spigen, a Spanish case manufacturing company, Galaxy SmartTags 2 It's thinner and more discreet than its older brother, and its appearance is now much more reminiscent of a keychain.

O Galaxy SmartTags 2 It has the shape of a flat cylinder with a rounded base and top and a hollow circle at the top. They are just over 5 centimeters high, 3 centimeters wide and half an inch deep. This makes the digital tracker a lightweight product that is easy to attach and hide anywhere.

His older brother has the problem of being chubbier and having a much more peculiar shape, a diamond, making him less adaptable to tight spaces and less discreet. Now the Samsung seems to have tried hard to get around the problem.

The body is predominantly composed of matte plastic in white and graphite colors, and has a metal ring in the hollow circle used to fit the Galaxy SmartTags 2 in everyday objects. I received the product in graphite color — in my opinion the most beautiful version of the device, which can also be found in white.

Still in the circle region, you can find a small insert similar to cell phone SIM card trays, which when you insert a sharp object, opens the CR2032 battery tray located at the bottom. Even with the opening, the SmartTag 2 is a device with IP67 certification against water and dust.

Overall, my first impressions were positive, I really liked the choice and the change in design compared to the first version of the Galaxy Smart Tag which, as previously stated, was impractical as it was more robust and coarse.

O SmartTag 2 It fits well in the palm of the hand and camouflages very well anywhere, a more than positive point since the intention is not to draw too much attention.

Features

Another positive highlight of the new tracker is the presence of connections Bluetooth 5.3 BLE low consumption (latest version of technology), NFC (proximity field communication) and the Ultra Wideband (UWB) sensor, ultra-wideband technology that allows communication between wireless devices with greater precision and speed, in addition to improving the location service essential for the SmartTag 2.

The digital tracker is only compatible with devices Galaxy (smartphones and tablets) with Android 9 or higher, and cannot be used in iPhone or in any other Android from a competing brand even with the application SmartThings installed. Believe me, I tried.

And an addendum: to use Compass View, where you can track the exact distance and direction as you approach the locator (similar to AirTags Precise Search), you must have one of the following Galaxy smartphones compatible with UWB technology and Android 11 or superior:

• Note20Ultra
• S21+ and S21 Ultra
• S22+ and S22 Ultra
• S23+ and S23 Ultra
• ZFold2
• ZFold3
• ZFold4
• ZFold5

That said, the connection between SmartTag 2 and cell phones or tablets Samsung it happens super quickly. And it's cool how even over long distances it doesn't get lost or even wobble, I took advantage of the device to attach it to my water bottle, my everyday companion, my house key and my sister's college bag, the The device traveled around the city a lot and I knew exactly where it was at all times.

SmartThings app

O Galaxy SmartTag 2 is connected to the devices Samsung through the app SmartThings, which integrates the brand's and partners' smart devices.

The application is usually already installed on tablets and smartphones Samsungbut can be downloaded from Play Store.

After installing the application, open the SmartThings and login with your account Samsung. in the menu Gadgets you will find the option add device in the upper left corner. You can also select the signal + at the top right corner.

Then, click Add on the menu Samsung devices and then search the list for Tag/Tracker.

The application will give you the option to add the device for a unit’s QR code, if applicable and just point the camera.

But if like me you don't have or can't find the unit’s QR code, no problem, just select the option Add without QR code at the bottom of the screen.

The app will automatically search for smart devices nearby — remember to leave the Bluetooth enabled.

Select the device you want to connect, in my case the Galaxy SmartTags 2, follow the on-screen instructions and wait for it to complete.

With SmartTag 2 connected to SmartThings It is possible to edit the use by defining the environment, room, changing the tracker name, location and, of course, tracking via the map or by proximity.

You can also configure the device to find your cell phone and notify you when the tracker Galaxy is forgotten (when you get too far away from it). Additionally, you can check your location history to retrace your own steps.

It was my first time using the SmartThings connected to a smart device and found it practical and intuitive to use. It's easy to set up and customize the experience if you have more than one Smart Tag or other devices at home and want to centralize them all in the same application for management.

As previously stated, I didn't have any problems with connection or tracking, even from far away the application recorded each step of the tracker.

To find the Galaxy SmartTags 2 we can ring an alarm in the app or use the camera and proximity sensors. When I rang the alarm for the first time, I confess that I expected it to be louder, which SmartTag 2 has a beeping sound that can be customized among several audio options provided by the Samsung, but all remaining at the same volume, lower than the alarm on an analog clock and louder than that on an electronic toy.

If I'm upstairs in my house and the tracker Galaxy in the room, it takes a while for me to find it through the sound. Depending on the case, it is better to look for it by location.

Speaking of location, don't expect futuristic technology that identifies which room the device is in, you can know that it's close to you, but where exactly, at least not yet.

Battery

The battery of the Galaxy SmartTags 2 It's a 3V Lithium model CR2032, one of those round ones that can be easily found on the internet or in electronics stores.

The brand promises 500 days of duration, I was not able to determine the exact duration due to the short time I spent with the device, but I certify that I had more than enough during the entire use.

Conclusion

In addition to upgrading the Bluetooth 5.1 protocols for 5.3 which offers more efficient power consumption, greater stability and signal range and the major design changes that were very welcome, the Galaxy SmartTags 2 Get ahead of your brother when we talk about technology UWB extension, which as previously stated makes the location service more accurate.

O Galaxy SmartTags 2 It is an excellent advance and a response from the company to consumers, which I believe is on its way to becoming Apple's main competitor in the digital trackers and tags market. These changes from the first to the second generation may seem small, but they represent a lot.

With this new device, users gain more comfort, practicality and usability in everyday life. Certainly the Galaxy SmartTags 2 It's a product I want to keep in my life.

The tracker is being sold by R $ 314,10 in Magalu in black and white colors.

Technical specifications

What did you think of Galaxy SmartTags 2? Do you already know or have a digital tracker? Tell us!

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