The $89.99 SmartThings Cam, $17.99 SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug, and $9.99 SmartThings Smart Bulb are the latest own-brand additions to Samsung’s sizeable smart home ecosystem.
All three products work with a range of AI-powered voice assistants – Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are supported in addition to Samsung’s own Bixby helper – while the Cam and Smart Plug can both be used with or without a Samsung SmartThings Hub for connectivity, making them a tempting option for first-time smart home dabblers.
Not a Nest rival – but much cheaper
The SmartThings Cam is arguably the most interesting of the triumvirate, offering full HD video complete with HDR, a 145-degree field of view, person detection and an IR night vision mode.
There’s also two-way audio, free 24-hour cloud storage backup for up to four cameras, and a stand that can be used to mount the device to your wall – or simply help it sit neatly on a surface.
Users can view their Cam’s video feed via the SmartThings mobile app (available for Android and iOS), a Samsung TV, or even one of the company’s FamilyHub fridges.
Given its competitive pricing, it’s little surprise the SmartThings Cam’s feature set doesn’t rival the likes of the latest Nest Cam IQ Indoor – but at over $200 cheaper, who’s to say it won’t represent better value?
Samsung plugs in to smart home price wars
Joining the SmartThings Cam in Samsung’s renewed assault on the smart home market is the Wifi Smart Plug, a small Wi-Fi-enabled smart plug that allows you to add voice control functionality and smart controls to a range of home appliances and gadgets.
Price again seems a key selling point here, as its $17.99 asking price is cheaper than Amazon’s rival $25 Smart Plug – though that could well change with this year’s best Amazon Prime Day deals event now just around the corner.
Rounding out the new additions is the $9.99 SmartThings Smart Bulb, a dimmable 9-watt smart LED light bulb that lacks the colour range of pricier options but will still allow you to do things like easily dim the lights before watching a movie.
It’s worth noting that the SmartThings Bulb does require a Hub for connectivity unlike its stablemates, but that’s the only hardware you need to get up and running with it.
The Samsung SmartThings Cam, Wifi Smart Plug and Smart Bulbs are all available to buy immediately from select US retailers, including Best Buy.
Global availability of the products has yet to be confirmed.
