When it comes to keeping track of your belongings, two popular options have emerged: Tile and AirTag. Both are well-known names and claim to provide reliable location tracking. But which one reigns supreme? In this blog, we'll delve into the features and functionality of Tile vs AirTag to determine which is truly the best choice. From designs and form factors to location accuracy, we’ve got you covered. Be prepared to get bombarded with information on Apple AirTag vs Tile as we go!
How Do Tile and AirTag Work?
Both Tile AirTag operate on similar principles, although with distinct implementations.
Tile utilizes a network of users' smartphones to crowdsource location information. When an item with a Tile attached goes missing, the Tile app taps into this network, leveraging other users' devices to help locate the lost item. Additionally, Tile devices emit Bluetooth signals that can be picked up by nearby smartphones running the Tile app, updating the item's location on the owner's Tile app.
On the other hand, AirTag relies on Apple's vast Find My network. Equipped with ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and Bluetooth, AirTags communicate with nearby Apple devices securely and precisely. If an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range, it can leverage any nearby Apple device to anonymously relay its location to the owner's iCloud account, ensuring a wide-reaching tracking network.
In summary, both Tile trackers vs AirTag provide efficient tracking solutions, but their underlying technologies offer distinct advantages and limitations, influencing their performance and usability in various scenarios.
Comprehensive Comparison Between Tile and AirTag
So AirTag or Tile which is the best? To settle this question, a comprehensive comparison is needed. We’ll now compare them in aspects including design, compatibility, battery life, etc., to determine which product, Tile or AirTag, is the best.
Design and Form Factor
In terms of design, both Tile and AirTags are decently small, sleek, and lightweight.
The Apple AirTag has the typical elegance of Apple products. It features a classy white disk design and can be easily attached to your belongings. However, Apple didn’t seem to bother with diversity in design, and you can only spot white AirTags, not ones of other colors. In addition, AirTags cannot be attached to objects by themselves; you’ll generally need accessories to attach them to, say, your keys.
In contrast, Tile is more generous with designs. Their trackers, such as Tile Mate, Tile Slim, etc., all come in different shapes and sizes. Moreover, products like the Tile Pro are equipped with keyring holes, rendering accessories unnecessary. The bottom line, then, is that Tile has a slight advantage because it offers more diversity in design and form factor.
Compatibility with Your Devices
When evaluating compatibility between Apple's AirTag and Tile, the distinction is clear to those acquainted with both. In a nutshell: AirTags exclusively supports iOS, whereas Tile seamlessly integrates with both Android and iOS platforms. Needless to say, Tile is the indisputable winner in this round of comparison.
Battery Life and Durability
Battery life and replaceability are crucial considerations for any tracking device. Apple AirTags feature replaceable CR2032 batteries that last about a year. On the other hand, Tile Pro uses replaceable batteries that can last up to a year, while other Tile products feature non-replaceable batteries that last approximately about three years. So it may be hard to determine a clear winner between Tile Pro vs AirTag or Tile Mate vs AirTag since both have their own advantages.
As for durability, we note that AirTags are cased in stainless steel, while Tile products are manufactured with durable plastic. In addition, both of them are IP67 water-resistant. The net outcome seems that AirTags scores a little higher in this part.
Safety and Privacy
Apple’s AirTags have seen safety concerns raised against them in the past years due to their potential for nefarious activities, most notably stalking. This forced Apple to strengthen the safety features of AirTags and protect users more. You can use the Find My app on Apple devices or the Tracker Detect app on Android phones to scan for unwanted trackers in your vicinity and disable them if found.
On the other hand, Tile has gone to similar lengths to make Tile products free of security loopholes. For example, Tile has a Scan and Secure feature to let users scan for unwanted trackers nearby, as well as an Anti-Theft feature that enables the user to hide their trackers from being scanned by other users. Thus, if someone wants to stalk you, they would be at a loss as the position of your tracker would not show up on their phone.
Price
A single AirTag costs about $29 and a pack of four costs around $99. On the other hand, Tile has more products priced around the same price point as AirTag. The Tile Mate, for example, costs about $24.99. Most Tile products fall within the $25 - $35 range. In addition, while Apple does not require a subscription fee for their products, Tile offers an optional subscription at $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year. This subscription grants you access to advanced features like smart alerts and a 30-day location history. In short, while both AirTags and Tile are priced in a similar range, Tile offers more choices.
Location Accuracy
Location accuracy is vital for a tracker, and in this respect, AirTag has the upper hand. This is in no small part due to AirTags’ support for Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology that enables the Precision Finding feature. With this feature, users are presented with precise directions for a lost item.
Tile, on the other hand, supports only the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) that is supported by AirTags too. Given this and the additional fact that AirTags has a much more expansive tracking network enabled by a larger user base, the results are not hard to expect. According to user reports, Apple AirTags can locate with far higher precision than Tile, giving users a much shorter time finding missing items.
Conclusion
Tile vs AirTag, which is the best? As we have noticed, both Tile and AirTag have areas where they outperform the other. While it is tempting to call our comparison of Tile versus AirTag a tie, we must not forget that users differ widely and the best one is what fits their needs most. Generally, iOS users will be more pleased with AirTags’ seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. On the other hand, for Android users, Tile is the clear way to go due to its offering of diverse designs, advanced features, and the simple fact that AirTags doesn’t support Android. Ultimately, which is the best boils down to your needs.
FAQs
Does Tile Have a Monthly Fee?
Tile does not have a mandatory monthly fee for its range of products. However, it does have an optional subscription fee, which is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. This subscription allows you access to additional features like Smart Alerts and a 30-day location history.
Can You Track AirTag Miles Away?
Yes, you can track AirTag miles away, as long as the AirTag comes within Bluetooth range of any Apple device that is part of the Find My network. However, the location updates are not in real-time. Users will only see the last known location of the AirTag, not its current real-time position.
Can Tile and AirTag Be Used Interchangeably with Different Smartphones?
No, Tile and AirTag cannot be used interchangeably with different smartphones. The Apple AirTag only works with iOS devices running iOS 14.5 or later. It is not compatible with Android smartphones. In contrast, Tile trackers are compatible with both iOS and Android devices.