Project Fi and Outside Phone

[zinfamous]

Anyone have good experience with bringing outside phones to Project Fi?

I'm still on a Nexus 5X and this thing has really gone to turd over the last year--hasn't updated maybe 2 years, slow as balls, and I think because of many of these reasons, my service is just overall bad (I think the network switching through Fi got broken at some point, but I can't really push some of those hotfixes to make that work--one issue is that the phone no longer recognizes USB for data--essentially unfixable--yes, I've tried it all) ....and when looking at other services, I don't find Mint all that attractive (the real non-offer costs) and Cricket, which I used to like, not all that special. One of the many things I like about Fi is the international roaming. Traveling through Europe, I never had issues or any real additional cost for making calls--even calling back to the US. I'm not a huge data user, so my bill is usually $26/month, and comparing to that price or less, I haven't noticed a service that offers enough of what Fi offers.

I understand that Fi works pretty well if your device can properly handle switching, so I assume that really is the problem. Then, if I bring an outside phone, maybe not?


And....I'm not really that interested in the Pixels right now. I tend to stick to midrange phones and try to push them well beyond their lifetimes (maybe why my phone is such crap now), but the Pixel 4A seems to make too many compromises for right now, especially if I plan to use the thing for, hopefully, another 5 years. I'm going to wait until the 5 or whatever is released, but right now, I'm considering the non-US OnePlus Nord (US version, when it arrives, also seems even more neutered).

The Fi outside phone FAQ suggests that OnePlus 7+ devices should be mostly functional--locked to T-Mobile only, though (which might be better? I dunno--feel like I always had problems during calls when the phone would try to switch between Sprint and T-Mobile)

 

[Fanatical Meat]

First backup then do a full reset with you current phone. Typically that will speed it up.
Second service from one of the big brands isn’t nearly as expensive as it has been. Don’t be afraid of that.
Finally I avoid One+ phones. I have no evidence but suspicion. I feel those and all the off brand devices have Chinese spying mechanisms built into them. IMO we all use our phones a lot now. Spending $75-$200 more for a name brand device that will last you two plus years is totally worth it.

 

[SKORPI0]

Did that when I got my unlocked Note 9 (512gb+512gb) Cloud Silver late 2018 when at that time it wasn't officially supported for Google-Fi.
I barely use the phone for calling/testing, it's for that rare emergency situation, monthly bill is about <$30.

Shop Latest Smartphones with Google Fi Wireless

Find the phone you love with phones designed for Fi that can seamlessly switch between multiple major networks to give you even better coverage in more places.

fi.google.com

 

[zinfamous]

First backup then do a full reset with you current phone. Typically that will speed it up.
Second service from one of the big brands isn’t nearly as expensive as it has been. Don’t be afraid of that.
Finally I avoid One+ phones. I have no evidence but suspicion. I feel those and all the off brand devices have Chinese spying mechanisms built into them. IMO we all use our phones a lot now. Spending $75-$200 more for a name brand device that will last you two plus years is totally worth it.

Yes, that is worth concern wrg to Chinese companies, but I've never considered that with OnePlus. ...not sure why. Maybe because they started very small, before all those concerns became "real" (not that such concerns shouldn't have been there the whole time), as some rebels in a small corner of FoxConn (almost like how Asus got started many years ago).


...up to $200 more for 2 years on a phones is the last thing that is "worth it" for me. I'm thoroughly annoyed that this $250 Nexus 5X (price with new Fi service at the time) has only lasted 5 years. It creates rage in me. The SGS2 that it replaced at the time lasted me 7+ years. 7 years! And I replaced it only because it was getting really slow and was basically locked on Android 4.0 for so long...note, the Nexus 5X isn't just slow, basic hardware just doesn't work. Network switching doesn't work. It decides not to receive calls sometimes, because why not?

anyway, I don't use my phone much more now than I did in 2003. I don't use it for internet. I don't watch videos. Unless I'm traveling and absolutely need some information. I absolutely don't use it at home or work or 95% of my days for those tasks, is what I mean. If I'm waiting in a line somewhere, I'm the only person not using my phone, because I don't like staring at tiny screens that effectively generate zero value in my life.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Yes, that is worth concern wrg to Chinese companies, but I've never considered that with OnePlus. ...not sure why. Maybe because they started very small, before all those concerns became "real" (not that such concerns shouldn't have been there the whole time), as some rebels in a small corner of FoxConn (almost like how Asus got started many years ago).


...up to $200 more for 2 years on a phones is the last thing that is "worth it" for me. I'm thoroughly annoyed that this $250 Nexus 5X (price with new Fi service at the time) has only lasted 5 years. It creates rage in me. The SGS2 that it replaced at the time lasted me 7+ years. 7 years! And I replaced it only because it was getting really slow and was basically locked on Android 4.0 for so long...note, the Nexus 5X isn't just slow, basic hardware just doesn't work. Network switching doesn't work. It decides not to receive calls sometimes, because why not?

anyway, I don't use my phone much more now than I did in 2003. I don't use it for internet. I don't watch videos. Unless I'm traveling and absolutely need some information. I absolutely don't use it at home or work or 95% of my days for those tasks, is what I mean. If I'm waiting in a line somewhere, I'm the only person not using my phone, because I don't like staring at tiny screens that effectively generate zero value in my life.

Then watch woot for recertified sales.
That’s where my devices typically come from.
You likely will need to change the battery a year or so later but totally worth the savings
Also don’t go dumb cheap on the battery replacement. Always go OEM when possible.

 

[zinfamous]

Then watch woot for recertified sales.
That’s where my devices typically come from.
You likely will need to change the battery a year or so later but totally worth the savings
Also don’t go dumb cheap on the battery replacement. Always go OEM when possible.

not all batteries re replaceable, though (hence the problem).

That is probably why my SGS2 lasted so long--I did swap the battery about 4 or 5 years in, because it suffered the heat expansion problem, a bit suddenly. I also never dropped the thing--7 or so years later, it looked good as new.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

not all batteries re replaceable, though (hence the problem).

That is probably why my SGS2 lasted so long--I did swap the battery about 4 or 5 years in, because it suffered the heat expansion problem, a bit suddenly. I also never dropped the thing--7 or so years later, it looked good as new.

yeah you need to be aware of that however most batteries can be replaced with patience and reading or go to a phone repair place but bring your own battery/ensure it is an OEM battery.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Every once in a while I've put my Work iPhone 8 Plus on my Fi plan, and it's fine. It works on T-Mobile bands, and it works as a phone. That's really about it. Wi-fi Calling and carrier switching doesn't work. Since T-Mobile is my home area now, it's not a big deal.

I'm on my third year using a Pixel 3 XL after I stopped buying the new flagship every year (Nexus 6P -> Pixel XL -> Pixel 2 XL -> Pixel 3 XL). Pixel 4 didn't offer enough improvement for me to justify. Pixel 5 appears to be a "reset" of the Google phone brand (again) from flagship to mid-tier phone.

The Pixel 4a 5G that's coming soon is not the same phone as the Pixel 4a (I think they screw themselves by using the same model name). It's a far larger screen (6.2" phablet), and has the same mid-range 765G CPU that the Pixel 5 has. Much larger battery as well. The screen is really too big for me (I keep buying big screen phones anyways), but considering that CPU-wise the Pixel 5 / Pixel 4a 5G has the same hitting power as my Pixel 3 XL in a far more efficient power envelope, that wouldn't be a bad choice for a 5-year mid-range phone. 6G of RAM should do for some time to come and that alone will feel like a world of difference compared to your Nexus 5X's 2GB of RAM.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Good point
@zinfamous look for that $400 iPhone

This one

Apple's iPhone SE Proves You Don’t Need a Fancy Phone

For a pocketable device with a powerful processor, $400 is a great starting point.

www.google.com

I may pick one up next year. I have about a year left in this battery.

 

[nisryus]

I am planning to switch to Fi, and probably will get the Pixel 4a 5G too. It will be a good step up from my Moto E4. Much faster, more RAM and storage. Probably the only thing I miss would be SD storage. 16 GB storage on the E4 has lasted me for years, so 128 GB will last for quite some time.

 

[zinfamous]

Good point
@zinfamous look for that $400 iPhone

This one

Apple's iPhone SE Proves You Don’t Need a Fancy Phone

For a pocketable device with a powerful processor, $400 is a great starting point.

www.google.com

I may pick one up next year. I have about a year left in this battery.

lol, no. wtf would I ever get an iphone?

not even in my atmosphere.

 

[zinfamous]

Every once in a while I've put my Work iPhone 8 Plus on my Fi plan, and it's fine. It works on T-Mobile bands, and it works as a phone. That's really about it. Wi-fi Calling and carrier switching doesn't work. Since T-Mobile is my home area now, it's not a big deal.

I'm on my third year using a Pixel 3 XL after I stopped buying the new flagship every year (Nexus 6P -> Pixel XL -> Pixel 2 XL -> Pixel 3 XL). Pixel 4 didn't offer enough improvement for me to justify. Pixel 5 appears to be a "reset" of the Google phone brand (again) from flagship to mid-tier phone.

The Pixel 4a 5G that's coming soon is not the same phone as the Pixel 4a (I think they screw themselves by using the same model name). It's a far larger screen (6.2" phablet), and has the same mid-range 765G CPU that the Pixel 5 has. Much larger battery as well. The screen is really too big for me (I keep buying big screen phones anyways), but considering that CPU-wise the Pixel 5 / Pixel 4a 5G has the same hitting power as my Pixel 3 XL in a far more efficient power envelope, that wouldn't be a bad choice for a 5-year mid-range phone. 6G of RAM should do for some time to come and that alone will feel like a world of difference compared to your Nexus 5X's 2GB of RAM.

yes, I'm definitely considering the 4a 5g now, after the announcement. I get that it isn't anything like "the no-brainer" choice in that segment, to much disappointment, but I keep reminding myself that I have and very much do tolerate much crappier performance from phones, essentially forever, so no idea why I'm making this complicated.

I've also always been fine in the past when I'm on on T-Mobile only service when I used them in various parts of the country. (I always suspected that with Fi, it was the switching to Sprint or wi-fi that always screwed my calls, anyway). ...I guess the main benefit, then, with Fi and a Pixel is that you get longer support and security/Android updates, and they really are cheaper for what I actually use, compared to other providers. :\

 

[Fanatical Meat]

lol, no. wtf would I ever get an iphone?

not even in my atmosphere.

Pure opinion here. I typically go apple for mobile because they are pretty reliable and I *feel* they spy on you less/apple is more responsible with the data
Again pure opinion stuff feel free to disagree

 

[nisryus]

So I have a question on Fi. Does Fi really switches between different carrier based on location/volume?

Also I am on Republic Wireless and they have been great... except two of my bank, Venmo, and SMS from oversea, won't work. I have to use PagePlus, which means i have to tell my oversea co-worker and other financial companies, plus Venmo, to use her phone number.

Anyone who is on FI now and has problem with any banking app, 2FA, or receiving SMS from oversea?

 

[zinfamous]

Overseas on Fi was great when I was using it in 2018. no problem with SMS from any region, direct to my US number. No new charges. I assume that hasn't hanged in 2 years.

Fi switches between T-Mobile and Sprint networks and Wi-FI, so of course to do that, you have to have a phone that is dual-band and capable of using Fi software. To get "The complete" use out of it, you have to use their built for Fi phones, which is like 3 of them in any given generation. But you can bring any phone and it will work for the most part, as long as it can work on T-Mobile or Sprint bands, at least, and of course capability varies from phone to phone with how much of Fi works.

I've never had a problem with my bank app (BoA), which I really only use for check deposit, and various 2FA apps.

 

[nisryus]

Thanks Zin! Guess Fi and Pixel 4a 5G for this Xmas!

 

[VashHT]

I've got a OP7 Pro on Fi right now, it's been working mostly fine but I have noticed some places where I don't get signal that I used to when I had a Pixel. Haven't used it overseas but in the past I tried an iPhone 7 on it overseas and it didn't work, had to get a SIM card. That was like 4 years ago though and I think Fi has improved compatibility with non pixel phones, plus not sure if I would have even had the same problem with a different Android phone. iPhones are more of a PITA to get working on Fi than non pixel Android phones in my experience.

 

[zinfamous]

By the way, I went with the 4a 5g, preordered back in OCtober, which was timely because my Nexus 5x finally did shit the bed exactly a week later.
The 4a 5g arrives tonight...and, I just got this in my email:

We launched a promotion on the Pixel 4a (5G) today. Since you recently purchased a Pixel 4a (5G) (order -----------------), we automatically added the promotion to your account!
To make sure you get the $150 bill credit, you or someone on your plan must activate the purchased Pixel 4a (5G) on a full-service plan within 30 days of shipment and remain active on Google Fi for 60 days in a row. You’ll also see these conditions outlined on your Billing tab within the next week. After you meet all the conditions, the credit will be automatically applied to your future Fi bills.
— Google Fi team

So, there's that. sweet deal. Pretty much the reason I switched to Fi in the first place, to pick up my now-loathed N 5X for only $250 at the time, after the similar promo (I think it was $200 off, though, and for basic Fi).

Still, sweet deal

Edit: it's the same as the OLD deal for new members, so $200 off for new members. "Full plan" means any of their voice + data plans, so not the unlimited plan. You can go basic, but you can't choose the data-only plan, and you have to transfer your number to Fi (if new member)

 

[nisryus]

Darn it, i used the money to get my kid a new chromebook for his school work, no money left for new phone..

That is such a good deal.. oh well, next year it is..

 

[zinfamous]

Darn it, i used the money to get my kid a new chromebook for his school work, no money left for new phone..

That is such a good deal.. oh well, next year it is..

great, so now your kid has easier access to porn and you still don't have a phone.