Google Pixel Tag Arrives November 11 at $29: How It Compares With the AirTag 2

Two Google Pixel smartphones side by side

Google’s first own-brand item tracker, the Pixel Tag, goes on sale November 11, and it is priced exactly like Apple’s AirTag 2. If you carry an Android phone and have been putting up with third-party trackers, or you are weighing the two ecosystems, here is what Google has said so far and where the comparison gets murky.

Price and availability

According to 9to5Google and MacRumors, the Pixel Tag costs $29 for one or $99 for a four-pack. TechRepublic notes that those are the same prices as the AirTag 2, which is already on sale. The Pixel Tag reaches stores on November 11, 2026. Google announced it back in August.

What you get

The tag is oval-shaped and, per Thurrott, made of stainless steel with an IP67 rating for splash, water and dust resistance. Like the AirTag, it has no built-in loop, so you will need a separate holder to attach it to keys or a bag.

Two features stand out. The first is Ultra Wideband, which gives Precision Finding with visual distance and direction cues when the tag is nearby but out of sight. 9to5Google says that works within 50 meters. The second is a physical button on the tag that makes your connected phone ring, something MacRumors points out the AirTag lacks. There is also a built-in speaker for ringing the tag itself.

Tile Sport Bluetooth key finder
A Tile Sport key finder, an earlier style of Bluetooth tracker. Photo by Gregory Varnum on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

How finding works

The Pixel Tag works through Google’s Find Hub. Close by, it uses Bluetooth and UWB. Farther away, it relies on a network of more than a billion Android devices, according to MacRumors and Thurrott. Left Behind alerts warn you if you walk away from it, and you can share a tag with up to 10 people, per Thurrott and TechRepublic. The AirTag 2 can be shared with up to five others.

It works with Android 9 or later and sets up with Fast Pair. iPhone users should not expect to track a Pixel Tag, though MacRumors says they will get alerts about unknown tags traveling with them, and that those alerts work across platforms.

Battery and the numbers still unclear

The battery is a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell, and Google says it lasts up to a year. TechRepublic calls that a vendor claim that has not been verified independently, which is a fair caution until reviewers get tags. TechRepublic also notes that its comparison found no UWB range figure for either tracker, and no user counts for the two finding networks, so those are not directly comparable. Treat any “better than AirTag” claim as unproven until there are tests.

Who should wait or buy

If you use Android, the Pixel Tag is simply the first-party option, and at $29 it is competitive. If you use an iPhone, the AirTag 2 remains the one that works with your ecosystem. We covered the broader decision in our [Bluetooth tracker buying guide](https://ultimategearhub.com/how-to-choose-a-bluetooth-tracker-find-my-vs-find-hub-battery-and-4-options-worth-a-look/), including how Find My and Find Hub differ. Pixel phone owners can also check our note on [Pixel 9 satellite SOS](https://ultimategearhub.com/pixel-9-satellite-sos-free-extra-year/) if you are in the habit of heading off the grid.

Bottom Line

The Pixel Tag is a sensible, fairly priced tracker for Android users, with a handy button and UWB. Wait for independent tests before trusting the one-year battery claim, and stick with an AirTag if you own an iPhone.

FAQ

When does the Google Pixel Tag come out?

November 11, 2026, per 9to5Google and TechRepublic. Google announced it in August.

Does the Pixel Tag work with iPhone?

It is built for Android 9 or later. MacRumors says iPhone users will get alerts about unknown tags nearby, but it does not say an iPhone can locate a Pixel Tag.

How much is the Pixel Tag?

It costs $29 for one tag or $99 for a four-pack, according to 9to5Google and MacRumors.

Featured image: Photo by Maurizio Pesce via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (Google Pixel phones).

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