Glyphoglossus smithi is endemic to Borneo and is rarely seen by even the most dedicated frog seekers, as its habits are highly secretive. It inhabits lowland forests. Inger (1966) reported females measuring up to 39 mm in snout–vent length.

The general body shape is similar to that of other ground-dwelling and burrowing Glyphoglossus species. This frog is dark brown above with darker markings. The body is stocky, and the head is relatively small. The tympanum is hidden beneath the skin. The fingertips are not expanded, indicating a terrestrial lifestyle. Specimens with very different coloration (grey, buish-gray) have been reported, however, it is unclear if these are specimens of a different species or just color variations. 

The color pattern is highly distinctive: the upper side is mostly brown or greyish. On the lower flanks and belly, there are large black blotches, each outlined. A conspicuous red or pink arc is present above the anus. In the depicted specimen, the fingers, toe tips, and iris were also red.

A team from the National University of Singapore (D. Bickford) and the Institut Teknologi Bandung (D. Iskandar, A. Irawan) caught the photographed specimen in a pitfall trap.