Samsung’s item tracker might be getting its most interesting redesign yet. According to SamMobile, Samsung is actively developing the Galaxy SmartTag 3, and it’s ditching the pill shape of its predecessor for something a bit more stylish.
The SmartTag 3 appears to sport a squircle shape, that rounded-square look that Samsung has been pushing across its One UI icon design and newer smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 9. It’s a smart move. Keeping the design language consistent across your ecosystem makes everything feel more intentional, and Samsung has clearly been working toward that kind of visual cohesion for a while now. The first SmartTag had a rounded-square form, the SmartTag 2 went pill-shaped, and now it looks like Samsung is landing on something that actually fits its current design identity.
There’s also a visible button in the center, similar to the original SmartTag. That button should let you ping a connected Galaxy phone when you’ve misplaced it, and a double-press could trigger automations through Samsung’s Modes and Routines. Simple, useful, no complaints there.
But here’s the part that’s going to annoy people. The SmartTag 3 doesn’t appear to have a built-in lanyard hole. That means if you want to clip it to your keys or a bag, you’ll probably need to buy a separate case. For a tracker that’s literally designed to help you not lose things, leaving out a basic attachment point feels like a weird step backward. It’s the kind of decision that makes you wonder who signed off on it.
On the specs side, expect the usual lineup:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise location tracking
- IP67 or IP68 dust and water resistance
- Samsung Find integration
There’s also hope that the SmartTag 3 could jump to Bluetooth 6.0, which would meaningfully improve location accuracy. Battery life is another area that needs attention. Samsung hasn’t exactly wowed anyone with longevity on previous models, so an upgrade there would go a long way.
Item trackers have become a serious market. Apple’s AirTag is still the benchmark for iPhone users, and Tile has been around forever. But for Galaxy phone owners, the SmartTag line has real advantages, especially with UWB support and deep integration into the Samsung ecosystem. A design refresh and a potential Bluetooth 6.0 bump could make the SmartTag 3 genuinely competitive, not just a default choice for Samsung loyalists.
As for timing, Samsung could announce the SmartTag 3 before the end of 2026, likely alongside the Galaxy S26 FE and the Galaxy Tab S12 series. No pricing details yet, but if Samsung keeps it in the same range as previous models, it should land somewhere around the $30 to $40 mark. We’ll be watching closely.