It looks like the next generation of Samsung’s SmartTag is going to be less smart than its predecessor when it comes to its design.

SamMobile published photos of what it says is Samsung’s newest smart tracker, the SmartTag 3 and lookswise, it’s a sharp departure from the SmartTag 2. Instead of an oblong body with a generous loop to attach it to items, it’s a squircle shape, an echo of its two latest Galaxy Watch models.

Accessories may be mandatory

The new design, with no loop or even a small hole, means that for many use cases, accessories are needed, as is the case with Apple's AirTag.

Attaching it to keys, bags, pet collars, or other items would require a case of some kind, adding to the overall expense and limiting its out-of-the-box convenience.

SmartTag features and performance

A raised button is visible on the SmartTag 3. It’s likely that it will have the same type of functionality as the SmartTag 2’s button has, which can be used to find your phone or tablet, trigger smart home routines, and more.

Samsung hasn’t said anything about the SmartTag 3, but it is expected to be out by the end of the year. The SmartTag 2 was released in October 2023.

While there are no details on anything about the SmartTag 3’s performance, it should equal or better the SmartTag 2, which has an IP67 rating, a UWB chip, and up to 700 days of battery life.

A limitation of the SmartTag 2 is that it only works with Samsung phones and relies solely on them for its network when it comes to locating the tracker.

However, as my colleague Rita El Khoury, who has reviewed many trackers, pointed out, Samsung’s SmartTag 2 is the only tracker that gives location history without a subscription, the only one with smart home control, and the only one with AR that lets you use your phone's camera to help locate lost items.