Samsung’s next item tracker may be getting smaller, sleeker, and a little harder to attach to the things you actually want to track.
New Galaxy SmartTag 3 images published Sept. 11 show a redesigned tracker without the large built-in attachment loop found on the Galaxy SmartTag 2. If the leaked images reflect the final product, attaching Samsung’s next tracker to keys, backpacks, luggage, or other belongings could require a separate case or attachment.
It’s an unusual trade-off for a device whose entire purpose is staying attached to something you don’t want to lose.
Galaxy SmartTag 3 leak shows a major design change
High-resolution images published by SamMobile show what appears to be the Galaxy SmartTag 3 in black and white, with Samsung replacing the SmartTag 2’s elongated design with a more compact rounded-square shape.
The biggest change isn’t the shape. It’s what’s missing: The Galaxy SmartTag 2 has a large metal-lined opening built directly into the tracker, allowing owners to attach it to a keyring, strap, or carabiner without covering the device in another accessory.
The leaked SmartTag 3 design appears to eliminate that opening entirely. Leaked accessory images also show cases with their own attachment points. According to Android Authority, leaked materials show a cover with an attached carabiner that may be included with the SmartTag 3, along with other accessories such as bumper, silicone, and leather cases.
That would make Samsung’s approach more similar to Apple’s AirTag, which also lacks an integrated keyring hole and generally requires an accessory to attach it to keys, luggage, or a bag.
For SmartTag users, that could turn a previously built-in feature into another accessory to keep track of, although it remains unclear whether Samsung will include an attachment case with every tracker.
The change isn’t official yet. Samsung has not announced the Galaxy SmartTag 3 or confirmed the leaked design, accessories, pricing, or release date. However, there is stronger evidence that the tracker itself is real. An FCC equipment authorization issued Aug. 24 identifies Samsung model EI-T5900 by name as the “Galaxy Smart Tag3” and certifies it as an ultra-wideband transmitter.
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What the SmartTag 3 redesign could mean for Galaxy users
For Galaxy users, whether the redesign is an upgrade may depend less on what’s inside the SmartTag 3 and more on where they plan to put it.
The leaked design appears smaller and more compact than the SmartTag 2, potentially making it easier to slip into a wallet, pouch, backpack pocket, or other small space.
Samsung is also keeping ultra-wideband technology, which enables more precise nearby finding on compatible Galaxy phones than Bluetooth alone. The FCC documentation provides evidence that UWB will be part of the new device.
The tracker also arrives as Samsung continues to compete for long-term Galaxy users across its wider device ecosystem. TechRepublic recently compared Samsung and Google’s software support to examine how long buyers can expect their devices to remain supported.
But the mounting change matters because trackers aren’t used like most gadgets. Their usefulness depends heavily on where owners can put them.
A smaller tracker might work better inside luggage or a backpack. On a keyring, pet collar, camera bag, or other item where the tracker needs to be physically secured, removing the integrated attachment point could make the new design less convenient than the model it replaces.
It would also eliminate one of the practical differences between Samsung’s tracker and Apple’s AirTag. That distinction matters because item trackers increasingly compete on more than their ability to locate lost belongings. The surrounding network, battery life, size, compatibility, attachment options, and cost of accessories all affect how useful a tracker is in everyday use.
TechRepublic recently examined several of those trade-offs in its guide to the best AirTag alternatives, where compatibility and physical design can be just as important as the tracking technology itself.
For current SmartTag owners, the leak also gives them a reason not to assume the newer model will automatically be the better fit. That’s a familiar calculation for Galaxy users as Samsung’s hardware ages, including owners affected by the end of updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3.
If you primarily attach your tracker to keys, bags, or other gear, the SmartTag 2’s built-in loop could remain the more convenient design. If you keep a tracker inside luggage, a backpack, or another enclosed space, the SmartTag 3’s apparently smaller footprint may be more useful.
Anyone considering an upgrade should therefore wait for Samsung to confirm the final design, what’s included in the box, and whether an attachment case costs extra. Those details could determine whether the SmartTag 3 simplifies everyday tracking or adds another accessory users need to carry.
Until Samsung officially unveils the device, the final design, accessory requirements, price, and release date remain unconfirmed. But for Galaxy users, the early takeaway is clear: don’t judge this upgrade by size alone. How you actually use your tracker may matter more.
Related reading: Considering another Galaxy accessory upgrade? See TechRepublic’s picks for the best Wear OS smartwatches of 2026, including options from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.