Long gone are the days when we had to sift through countless objects to find a misplaced wallet. Thanks to technology, it's now rare for us to lose track of an item or two.Over the last few years, smart tags have emerged as a popular trend in the realm of tech accessories. These gadgets, resembling keychains, boast a plethora of highly practical features, particularly catering to frequent travellers and individuals prone to misplacing their belongings, such as luggage and wallets. For those considering to own a smart tag, the extensive array of choices available on the market can appear quite overwhelming. From pricing considerations to a comprehensive breakdown of their functionality, this guide serves as a detailed overview of how to choose the right smart tag in 2023. Brands like Tile have been making smart tags for a while. However, the market suddenly surged when Apple announced its own smart tag AirTag, and then, other OEMs like Samsung followed the trend by launching the Galaxy Smart Tag. Smart tags can be broadly classified into two different types. A simple, Bluetooth-enabled smart tag, and then a high-precision smart tag that can talk with other devices in the network to offer accurate tracking. In terms of design and form factor, there isn't much difference between the two. Similarly, a simple Bluetooth-based smart tag is also a lot more affordable, in fact, one can get a cheap smart tag for around Rs 500 on Amazon. The functionality of a simple smart tag includes an anti-lost tag alarm, a smartphone camera shutter button, and a search function without Bluetooth range. These can also be used as a keychain, can be attached to bags and wallets, and can also be used to track pets. The limitation of this product is the range, depending on the Bluetooth version, they usually stay functional for around 10 meters of distance. Unlike most electronic gadgets, even the simplest of smart tags offer great battery life, where most of them can last for over a year with just a single button style battery, which is also highly affordable. On top of that, you also get these in multiple colour options. JioTag is one such option, which is now available for around Rs 750. If you are looking for a premium smart Tag that works with both Android and iOS devices, then Tile is the brand to consider. Do note that the Tile smart tags such as Tile Pro do cost a lot more than Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag 2, which was recently launched along with the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. The advantage of choosing a Tile smart tag is its compatibility factor. However, when it comes to features, despite being the expensive offering, these can't match the ones offered by OEM. If you are an iPhone user, there is no better smart tag than the AirTag, which can be bought for less than Rs 3,000. AirTag by Apple is clearly one of the most advanced smart tags in the market and when combined with the iPhone network, it also becomes a great tracker, which can accurately map an object or a pet. Apple AirTag is also one of the most gorgeous smart tags out there, with its circular design, it mimics a fancy pebble, and there are plenty of accessories, including leather cases, which turn it into a premium keychain that can be easily carried around. With the latest update, Apple added a lot of new features, including the ability to share AirTag (review) details with friends and family members. For Samsung smartphone users, the newly launched Galaxy SmartTag 2 is a great option, which now comes with new features and capabilities, including a compass view, IP67 dust and water resistance rating, and up to 500 days of battery life. Again, it can also be used as a remote camera shutter button and also doubles as a buzzer when the device goes out of range.
