Google has officially launched its first-party item tracker, the Pixel Tag, arriving after years of third-party Android options from manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, and Pebblebee. First teased back in August, the device is engineered to integrate seamlessly with Google's tracking network and companion app, which was rebranded as Find Hub last year. Priced at $29.99 for a single unit or $99.99 for a discounted four-pack, the tracker enters the market directly competing with Apple's AirTag lineup. The launch marks a significant step for Google's ecosystem, providing Android users with a dedicated, first-party hardware solution for locating misplaced keys, luggage, and personal belongings.
Key takeaways
- The Pixel Tag is priced at $29.99 individually and $99.99 for a four-pack.
- It features a 0.4-ounce weight, an oblong shape, and an IP67 dustproof and water-resistant rating.
- Includes a built-in physical button to trigger an audible sound on a misplaced phone.
- Equipped with ultra wideband support and Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding.
Design and hardware specifications
Weighing in at just 0.4 ounces, the Pixel Tag is marginally lighter than the Apple AirTag. While its oblong physical profile makes it longer than Apple's competing tracker, Google's device is noticeably thinner. The hardware does not feature a built-in lanyard hole or cutout for direct attachment to keys, luggage, or other personal items, meaning users will need to rely on third-party accessories or holders to tether the tag to belongings. Despite lacking a direct attachment loop, the physical design prioritizes compactness and durability for daily carry.
Unlike Apple's ecosystem, the Pixel Tag incorporates a physical button directly on the body. Pressing this button triggers an audible alert on a misplaced smartphone, allowing users to find their phone using the tracker rather than relying solely on finding the tag itself. Powering the hardware is a standard CR2032 coin battery that Google rates to last for over a full year of normal operation. Additionally, the device carries an IP67 rating, certifying that it is entirely dustproof and capable of surviving shallow dunks in water without sustaining internal damage.
Connectivity and tracking technology
The tracker leverages advanced location technology by packing ultra wideband support alongside Channel Sounding through Bluetooth 6.0. Android smartphones equipped with a dedicated UWB chip can view precise visual prompts showing both the exact distance and direction to the Pixel Tag inside the Find Hub app when users get close. Meanwhile, devices utilizing Bluetooth Channel Sounding are restricted to displaying distance measurements alone. This dual-layer approach ensures compatibility across a broader range of hardware while rewarding users with newer devices.
Software compatibility extends to any smartphone running Android 9 or newer. However, taking full advantage of the precise locating capabilities requires a phone equipped with dedicated UWB chips or Bluetooth 6.0 hardware support. As users adopt the Find Hub network for everyday item tracking, the Pixel Tag provides a robust alternative in the crowded device-finding landscape.
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