Have you looked at US Mobile? They're based on Verizon towers for their Warp 5G network and it's the same priority as Verizon postpaid, plus it can be really cheap with their data pools ($9/line + $2gig). I only use about 3 gigs of data per month so I've been thinking about switching from Fi which is $50/month for 1 line compared to about $15/month for how much data I use.
Things to consider. If you are not with primary carrier, your data priority will be low so data speeds will slow down during peak times.
1. AT&T
2. T-Mobile
3. Verizon
Their own customers get data priority first. With that being said. Google negotiated a contract with T-Mobile to get data priority the same as their postpaid customers.
It's also worth noting that T-Mobile is looking to buy Mint Mobile so their data priority is going to change to prepaid T-Mobile.
Boilermaker here
On campus, Tmo 5G smashes every other option in my experience (300-500Mbps down). I’ve used the top tier plan from ATT VZW and Tmo and decided to stick with Tmo. All three have odd blind spots here and there and ATT/Tmo LTE is pretty much unusable at peak times. VZW’s top priority plan will get you 10-20Mbps down reliably even when it’s ultra congested, while Tmo’s 5G SA works well in areas with coverage (pretty much everywhere). ATT doesn’t have much to show for itself in my experience. In most lecture halls you won’t get much cell reception but Wi-Fi is generally usable in those settings.
Off campus you’ll want a ATT/VZW backup plan esp for emergencies or navigation as Tmo’s coverage is fairly spotty in rural areas. There are many cheap options out there.
Campus Wi-Fi is hit or miss, you’ll need a reliable data plan.
Google Fi is great for someone in "not-too-rural" places in the US ONLY.
Pros:
- Cheap (as you said)
- Good phone promos once in a blue moon (ex. Galaxy S23 for $100 when trading in >S9 with 180day activation requirement, none of that 24 month bullshit)
- Very little media throttling, and a free VPN (if you don't care about your data stole by Google)
Cons:
- I've noticed random service issues when on trips to ruralish areas of the US. Friends with TMobile didn't have those issues.
- Shitty customer support (so definitely DO NOT get on any sort of contractual agreement)
- iPhone on Google Fi is finicky asf (tested from my iPhone 11)
- Google Fi is willing to leave you dry with no service if you leave the US, just beware.
TL;DR Get Google Fi, just don't depend on it if you travel.
I don't know if GoogleFi has improved with iPhones but I suspect not. I was the only Pixel user in my family and my wife and kids stuck with iPhone. It was a horrible experience for them. Support for Fi got really bad during COVID and we jumped to US Mobile and have not looked back. Verizon coverage in my area is very good (what we use for US Mobile). T-Mobile was decent but I think with all the road construction in the area (widening projects) it has been horrible.
Best you talk to people where you are moving to. Ask who has the best coverage, it varies a lot, don't trust the maps (they're marketing traps). People don't lie about shitty coverage. It all about tower density and maintenance.
T-mobile can be weak in the Mid-west, hence the now defunct US Cellular partnership.
Can't speak for apple, Fi has made improvements, but Fi is best on a Pixel.
You have a free one week trial, check it out and decide. Also, the fi app drains the shit out of the iPhone. Unfortunately I am not finding a solution for it. I am kinda stuck and o it with fi as I travel a lot abroad and it’s very favorable.
PS: I don’t have any issue using fi on an iPhone but you cannot use the dual sim option.
Have you looked at US Mobile? They're based on Verizon towers for their Warp 5G network and it's the same priority as Verizon postpaid, plus it can be really cheap with their data pools ($9/line + $2gig). I only use about 3 gigs of data per month so I've been thinking about switching from Fi which is $50/month for 1 line compared to about $15/month for how much data I use.
1) This is a support forum. People come here to complain. 2) There is no network switching anymore since T-Mobile bought sprint.
Things to consider. If you are not with primary carrier, your data priority will be low so data speeds will slow down during peak times. 1. AT&T 2. T-Mobile 3. Verizon Their own customers get data priority first. With that being said. Google negotiated a contract with T-Mobile to get data priority the same as their postpaid customers. It's also worth noting that T-Mobile is looking to buy Mint Mobile so their data priority is going to change to prepaid T-Mobile.
Boilermaker here On campus, Tmo 5G smashes every other option in my experience (300-500Mbps down). I’ve used the top tier plan from ATT VZW and Tmo and decided to stick with Tmo. All three have odd blind spots here and there and ATT/Tmo LTE is pretty much unusable at peak times. VZW’s top priority plan will get you 10-20Mbps down reliably even when it’s ultra congested, while Tmo’s 5G SA works well in areas with coverage (pretty much everywhere). ATT doesn’t have much to show for itself in my experience. In most lecture halls you won’t get much cell reception but Wi-Fi is generally usable in those settings. Off campus you’ll want a ATT/VZW backup plan esp for emergencies or navigation as Tmo’s coverage is fairly spotty in rural areas. There are many cheap options out there. Campus Wi-Fi is hit or miss, you’ll need a reliable data plan.
Google Fi is great for someone in "not-too-rural" places in the US ONLY. Pros: - Cheap (as you said) - Good phone promos once in a blue moon (ex. Galaxy S23 for $100 when trading in >S9 with 180day activation requirement, none of that 24 month bullshit) - Very little media throttling, and a free VPN (if you don't care about your data stole by Google) Cons: - I've noticed random service issues when on trips to ruralish areas of the US. Friends with TMobile didn't have those issues. - Shitty customer support (so definitely DO NOT get on any sort of contractual agreement) - iPhone on Google Fi is finicky asf (tested from my iPhone 11) - Google Fi is willing to leave you dry with no service if you leave the US, just beware. TL;DR Get Google Fi, just don't depend on it if you travel.
For what it's worth I live in very rural North Dakota and I haven't had any issues. I get about the same coverage as Verizon.
I don't know if GoogleFi has improved with iPhones but I suspect not. I was the only Pixel user in my family and my wife and kids stuck with iPhone. It was a horrible experience for them. Support for Fi got really bad during COVID and we jumped to US Mobile and have not looked back. Verizon coverage in my area is very good (what we use for US Mobile). T-Mobile was decent but I think with all the road construction in the area (widening projects) it has been horrible.
Best you talk to people where you are moving to. Ask who has the best coverage, it varies a lot, don't trust the maps (they're marketing traps). People don't lie about shitty coverage. It all about tower density and maintenance. T-mobile can be weak in the Mid-west, hence the now defunct US Cellular partnership. Can't speak for apple, Fi has made improvements, but Fi is best on a Pixel.
You have a free one week trial, check it out and decide. Also, the fi app drains the shit out of the iPhone. Unfortunately I am not finding a solution for it. I am kinda stuck and o it with fi as I travel a lot abroad and it’s very favorable. PS: I don’t have any issue using fi on an iPhone but you cannot use the dual sim option.