The early morning chill bit at my exposed fingers. I crouched low, scanning the tangled undergrowth for a flash of white fur. Not a lab, mind you. A terrier mix named Pip, notorious for disappearing during his morning constitutionals. This time, however, I wasn’t just relying on honed intuition. I was testing the new SmartTag2.

My professional life revolves around animal behavior, and frankly, a lot of that hinges on tracking. Lost pets? A constant headache. So, I approach these Bluetooth trackers with a healthy dose of skepticism, tempered by the desperate hope they actually work. The original SmartTag, bless its heart, felt a little…clunky. Battery life was mediocre, and the range was, shall we say, optimistic. This iteration, however, is a different beast altogether.

Immediately, the setup impresses. Seamless integration with Samsung’s SmartThings app is a breeze. That’s crucial; ease of use is paramount when you’re fumbling in the dark, chasing a rogue dachshund. The stated Bluetooth range is significantly improved too. (I’m using a Galaxy S23, and the connection is rock solid.) I noticed the subtle design tweak right away, a metal loop replacing the plastic one. Sturdier, definitely a good call. The new SmartTag2 also boasts IP67 water resistance. Pip loves a good puddle.

Of course, no system is perfect. The battery life, while improved, is still a consideration. Samsung claims up to 700 days, but that’s under ideal conditions. Realistically, you’ll probably get closer to a year. However, the replacement battery is a standard CR2032, readily available. Stock up, and it’s a non-issue, really. The real beauty of these trackers, the thing that sets them apart from simpler GPS options, is the crowd-sourced network. When Pip decides to embark on his latest adventure, and he’s outside of my immediate Bluetooth range, the other Galaxy devices in the vicinity become part of the location-finding process. Genius.

Compared to the Apple AirTag, the SmartTag2 gets a slight edge in my book, purely because of its cross-platform compatibility – the AirTag, obviously, is locked to the Apple ecosystem. Now, if you’re deeply invested in Samsung’s suite of devices, you’ll find the SmartThings integration a dream. Non-Samsung users might get a slight usability bump going with a Tile tracker, which supports a broader range of devices.

For the average pet owner, however, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is a solid investment. So, for the Pip-owning, easily-distracted individual? Go for it. And maybe invest in a longer leash, too.