The Pixel Tag is Google's $29 AirTag alternative - with one big advantage

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Google's Made by Google event features a hardware newcomer this year: the Pixel Tag. Google's Android-exclusive Pixel Tag Bluetooth tracker debuts with a user-replaceable coin battery, an IP67 dust and water-resistance rating, and compatibility with any Android phone running Android 9 or later.

However, the most interesting aspect of the Pixel Tag is its inclusion of Bluetooth Channel Sounding device-tracking technology. Google isn't the first to incorporate Channel Sounding into an Android-only tracker; Motorola's Moto Tag 2 has the same technology.

Also: This subtle Pixel 11 Pro feature reminded me of the golden days of Android phones

But is Google's tracker any better? Based on the specs alone, not necessarily. But Google needs to keep adding peripheral devices to its catalog to keep up with Apple and Samsung. Based on the specs, if we pit Google's Pixel Tag to Apple's AirTag and Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag2, there's one technology that sets it apart: Bluetooth Channel Sounding.

The Pixel Tag's tracking technologies rely on Bluetooth Channel Sounding and an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip. UWB is generally more accurate than Channel Sounding for ultra-precise tracking and is more resistant to interference. However, Channel Sounding is more accurate and power-efficient than Bluetooth Low Energy alone, which is the Bluetooth tech Apple AirTags use for proximity sensing and detection.

The difference between Channel Sounding and traditional Bluetooth tracking technology is how each technology reads signals. Bluetooth Low Energy, which is used in AirTags, uses Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), an older signal indicator.

Also: Your iPhone may support Channel Sounding via Bluetooth with iOS 27 - and it's a big deal

Channel Sounding uses Phased-Based Ranging (PBR), which is more accurate in determining the distance between two devices, such as your Google Pixel 11 and your Pixel Tag. RSSI signals are easily obstructed by objects, walls, and environmental interference from other devices on the Bluetooth network.

For general device location, Apple relies on its vast Find My network of Apple devices to securely and privately ping your device and use device chimes to make a sound when you're close enough to it.