Reviews
Best Bluetooth Trackers 2024: Locate Lost Items with Ease
This article provides a detailed review of various Bluetooth trackers designed to help locate lost items. The author, Rick Broida, tested five different trackers from Tile, Eufy, Apple, Chipolo, and Pebblebee. Here’s a summary of the key points for each tracker:
Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker
Purchase on Amazon
Pros:
- It works well with both the iPhone and Android.
- Easy setup.
- Two-way tracking for finding your phone.
- “Scan-if-found” QR code on the back for easy identification.
Cons:
- Relatively more expensive.
- Tiny QR code can be challenging to scan.
- Some features limited without a subscription.
Eufy Security SmartTrack Link
Purchase on Amazon
Pros:
- Budget-friendly.
- “Scan-if-found” QR code on the back.
- Works with Apple Find My.
Cons:
- Not compatible with Android.
- Tiny QR code and text may be hard to read.
Apple AirTag
Purchase on Amazon
Pros:
- Very easy to set up and use.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB) capabilities.
- Notify When Left Behind feature.
- Compass feature for precise tracking.
Cons:
- No case or clip included (additional accessory cost).
- Range not as good as some other trackers.
- Poorly implemented “left behind” feature.
- One-way tracking.
Chipolo One Spot
Purchase on Amazon
Pros:
- Louder than AirTag.
- Includes a keyring hole.
- Good printed instructions.
Cons:
- Not compatible with Android.
Pebblebee Clip Rechargeable Item Tracker
Purchased on Amazon
Pros:
- Rechargeable battery.
- Flashing LEDs for visual tracking.
- Crowd-sourced tracker location (similar to Apple and Tile).
- It works with both the Apple Find My and Pebblebee apps.
Cons:
- A relatively small network of Pebblebee users.
- The virtual fence feature may not be practical.
The conclusion emphasizes that while Bluetooth trackers are not foolproof, they offer an affordable solution for locating lost items. It suggests that users need to manage expectations regarding the range of these trackers and notes that iPhone users have an advantage in leveraging Apple’s Find My network.
Design
Dimensions (Unfolded): 161.2 x 144.7 x 6.9 mm
Dimensions (Folded): 161.2 x 72.6 x 13.5 mm
Weight: 299 grams
Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) when folded and unfolded, aluminum frame
Colors: Black, White
Display
Type: AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (peak brightness)
Main Display (Unfolded): 7.85 inches, 2296 x 2000 pixels, ~388 ppi density
Cover Display (Folded): 6.42 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, ~431 ppi density
Screen-to-Body Ratio: ~88% (main display), ~90% (cover display)
Touch Sampling Rate: 240Hz
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Performance
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ (4nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Mali-G710 MC10
Operating System: Android 13, HiOS Fold
Memory
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage: 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Expandable Storage: No (no microSD card slot)
Cameras
Rear Camera Setup:
- 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
- 50 MP (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
- 13 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2
Camera Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video Recording:
- 4K@30/60fps (main camera)
- 1080p@30/60fps
- Gyro-EIS (electronic image stabilization)
Front Cameras:
- Cover Display: 32 MP, f/2.5
- Main Display (Unfolded): 16 MP, f/2.0
Front Video: 1080p@30fps
Battery
Type: Li-Po, non-removable
Capacity: 5000mAh
Fast Charging: 45W wired fast charging
Reverse Charging: 10W
Network & Connectivity
SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Network:
- 5G: Supported
- 4G LTE: Yes
- 3G: Yes
- 2G: Yes
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band)
Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
GPS: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFC: Yes
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG support
Audio: Stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Proximity sensor
- Compass
Audio
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Audio Features: 24-bit/192kHz audio
No 3.5mm Jack: USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter may be required
Software & Features
Operating System: Android 13 with Tecno HiOS Fold UI
Special Features:
- Multi-tasking with split-screen mode
- Flex Mode support (optimizes apps for the foldable screen)
- AI-enhanced photography and videography features
- HiOS customizations for foldable displays
Battery Life
- Talk Time: Up to 30 hours on 4G
- Standby: Up to 400 hours
- Music Playback: Up to 90 hours
Charging Time
- Wired Charging: 0 to 100% in about 55 minutes
Price Range (Expected)
- 256GB Storage Model: $1,200
- 512GB Storage Model: $1,400
Availability: Expected release in selected markets by Q4 2024
Design and Build
Dimensions:
Luxe Marble: 163.72 x 75.00 x 7.49 mm
Flamboyant Orange: 163.72 x 75.00 x 7.99 mm
Weight:
Luxe Marble: 185 g
Flamboyant Orange: 190 g
Back Material: Vegan Leather (Flamboyant Orange)
Colors Available: Luxe Marble, Flamboyant Orange
Build: Glass front, plastic frame, glass back (Luxe Marble), or vegan leather back (Flamboyant Orange)
SIM Type: Dual Nano-SIM (Dual Standby)
Display
Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+
Size: 6.77 inches (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution: 2392 x 1080 pixels (~388 ppi density)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Brightness: 4500 nits (peak)
Protection: Schott Xensation glass
Touch Screen: Capacitive multi-touch
Performance
Chipset: Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Adreno 720
Operating System: Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14 (Up to 2 major Android upgrades)
Memory and Storage
RAM Options: 8GB, 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB UFS 3.1 (non-expandable)
Battery
Capacity: 5500 mAh (typical) / 5390 mAh (minimum)
Type: Li-Ion, non-removable
Charging: 80W wired fast charging (50% in 21 minutes), 7.5W reverse wired charging
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
Main: 50 MP Sony IMX883, f/1.79, OIS
Ultra Wide: 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ field of view
Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video Recording: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS
Front Camera:
Single: 16 MP, f/2.45
Video Recording: 1080p@30fps
Photography Modes:
Rear: Photo, Portrait, Night, Video, 50 MP, Panorama, Ultra HD Document, Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Supermoon, Pro, Dual-view, Live Photo
Front: Photo, Portrait, Video, Dual-view, Live Photo
Connectivity
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG supported
GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Network Support
2G GSM: 850/900/1800 MHz
3G WCDMA: B1/B5/B8
4G LTE (FDD): B1/B3/B5/B8/B28B
4G LTE (TDD): B38/B40/B41
5G: n1/n3/n5/n8/n28B/n40/n77/n78
Sensors
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: Optical
Accelerometer: Yes
Gyroscope: Yes
Proximity Sensor: Yes
Ambient Light Sensor: Yes
E-Compass: Yes
Audio
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Audio Jack: No 3.5mm jack (USB Type-C audio)
Additional Information
Build Quality: IP54 rating for dust and water resistance
Country of Origin: India
Design and Build
Dimensions: 164.31 x 74.47 x 7.9 mm
Colors: Rock Black, Moving Titanium, Violet Garden
Build: Curved-edge design with Gorilla Glass 5 protection (front and back)
Water and Dust Resistance: IP54 (Splash and Dust resistant)
Display
Type: Curved AMOLED, 1B colors
Size: 6.78 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels, (~388 ppi density)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: 1300 nits (peak)
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Performance
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra (6 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3×3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU: Mali-G610 MC6
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5 + 12GB virtual RAM
Internal Storage: 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Expandable Storage: No
Operating System: Android 14, XOS 14.5
Camera
Rear Camera:
Primary Sensor: 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), OIS
Secondary Sensor: 50 MP, f/2.0, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Tertiary Sensor: 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Features: Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama, GoPro mode
Video Recording: 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120fps
Front Camera:
Sensor: 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR
Video Recording: 4K@60fps
Battery
Capacity: 5000mAh
Type: Li-Po, non-removable
Charging:
Wired: 45W fast charging
Wireless: 20W wireless charging
Reverse Wireless Charging: 10W
Connectivity
Network: 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G
SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6E, dual-band
Bluetooth: 5.2, A2DP, LE
GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
NFC: Yes
Infrared Port: Yes
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Audio Jack: No
Other Features: JBL-tuned stereo speakers
Sensors
Fingerprint Sensor: In-display, optical
Other Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass
Additional Features
Software Features:
- GoPro Mode with Quik App integration
- XOS features like Smart Panel, Peek Proof, and more
IR Blaster: Yes
