Imagine: you lose your keys once a week, and that's exactly why you bought the Galaxy SmartTag 2 — a small rectangle with a hole where you can conveniently attach a keychain. The next model seems set to take away that convenience. A device with model number EI-T5900 passed radio certification in South Korea on August 21, signaling the approaching launch of SmartTag 3 — and according to Pinpoint News, the new tracker will have a completely different design.
A round button instead of a convenient slot
Samsung is abandoning the elongated form of the SmartTag 2 in favor of a compact body with rounded corners and a large circular button in the center. It looks more modern, but there's a catch: based on the leaks, the new device will lose the built-in mounting for keys. To attach the tracker to your bag, bicycle, or wallet, you'll need a separate case, strap, or holder — essentially an additional purchase right after buying the main product.
This decision seems odd given that Apple, with its second-generation AirTag, bet on practicality — better sound and longer range, not redesign for redesign's sake. Google took a different approach altogether: the Pixel Tag comes with UWB and battery life of up to a year right out of the box, without unnecessary experiments with form.
What remains unchanged
The technological features of SmartTag 3, by all accounts, will be preserved: Bluetooth Low Energy, Ultra-Wideband for precise tracking, and integration with Samsung's Find network, which operates through millions of Galaxy devices worldwide. This is Samsung's main competitive advantage — the size of its network, not the shape of the box.
The question isn't whether SmartTag 3 will find your keys — it's whether you'll want to pay for an additional accessory to attach them to it.
The presentation is expected in September–October. If Samsung truly removes the mounting without providing an adequate alternative in the package, this could become an example of how a design decision undermines the functionality of a product that competes specifically in the "just attach and forget" space.
