Google Fi: The Best International Phone Plan?

Google Fi: The Best International Phone Plan?

Since I first acquired my first iPhone in 2007, I’ve been using a now grandfathered, unlimited plan from AT&T. I don’t talk on the phone much, and while I’m in New York, I’m not far from WiFi, so overages have been a non-concern. Traveling abroad is another story.

Like some photographers, I travel internationally with regularity. I’ve been reluctant to use “burner” phones or swap SIM cards (love that smartphone), but the AT&T international plan is incredibly expensive at $120/month for 800MB of data (and $0.15/MB for any data overages). Just loading an Instagram feed and checking email can use a large chunk of that allocation in a few minutes.

Earlier in the year, I started investigating alternatives. T-Mobile offers their “One” plan for $70/month that provides unlimited text and data in 140+ countries with data rates of 128kbps (2G). But the plan that caught my eye wasn’t from a traditional telecommunications carrier.

Google Fi, Google’s attempt to simplify and modernize cell phone plans, looked intriguing. They’ve partnered with three LTE providers in the US and negotiated deals with foreign providers in 135+ countries. With a Gmail account, anyone can sign up for the service. Here’s the gist:

  • You purchase one of their Nexus or Pixel-branded phones
  • You start with a base plan for $20 month which gives you unlimited talk and text in the US with no contract.
  • You can add additional data at $10/GB. If you go over, you bill is prorated (e.g. 200MB over is $2.50). If you are under, your account is credited at about $0.01 for each extra MB.
  • International data is $10/GB in 135+ countries and supports 3G speeds in many (384kbps)
  • International voice varies by country but is about $0.20/min for voice calls and a few cents for WiFi calls.
  • You can add an additional SIM to your account to share your data plan to another device (e.g. an iPad).

When the Google Pixel was released in October, I decided to purchase the phone with their zero-interest financing plan and signed up for the base plan plus (2) GB of data. My total monthly payment breaks down as:

  • $20: Google Fi base plan
  • $20: (2) GB data
  • $31.21: Device payment
  • $6.09: Taxes & Fees
  • TOTAL: $77.30

Of course, if I purchased the phone outright for $700, I would be paying about $40/month. This is a pretty massive contrast to my AT&T bill, which runs about $93/month and provides no international capabilities without an expensive add-on.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend using the phone to transmit large batches of phones, but on the other hand, you’re only paying $0.01/MB compared to the $0.15/MB that AT&T charged. So charge your client and write if off!

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Aside from the monthly charges, the usability of the website and accompanying app to manage your account is night and day from AT&T. Whereas the AT&T website is clunky, slow and nearly impossible to navigate, the Fi website uses Google’s latest UI/UX guidelines. It’s not so surprising, but having a website that works well, gives me more confidence in the company.

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Then there’s the hardware. The Pixel phone is fantastic. As a long-time iPhone user, I wouldn’t hesitate to solely use the Pixel if necessary, even if the camera is not quite as good. But for the time being, I’m pretty tied to my existing phone number (of course, I could have ported the number, but I wasn’t sure that I would like the service).

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If you only use your phone within the US, then the financial advantages of Google Fi is slightly muted. AT&T offers a 6GB unlimited talk/text plan for $80. The equivalent plan would be $70 on Fi (still $120 a year in savings). The main difference to me has been the better customer experience through Google Fi. The DIY route using their website and apps is stellar, and when you need to get someone on the phone, Google Fi is ready for you (the same cannot be said of other Google products).

So if you’re due for an handset upgrade, or are tired of paying absurd charges when you travel internationally, here’s my unabashed approval for Google Fi.

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This article was written by

Allen Murabayashi is the co-founder of PhotoShelter.

There are 4 comments for this article
    • Allen Murabayashi Author at 11:47 am

      Correct. You get a bill from Google, and they connect you to whatever network they’ve negotiated with. Ive only used the service extensively abroad so I can’t comment on domestic coverage but I suspect it will be fine anywhere but the most rural areas.

      • Jessica at 11:49 am

        Thanks – a useful post that I will keep and share. (please ignore my follow-up comment since I got your response in my email, I guess it all works.

  1. Jessica at 11:41 am

    I can’t seem to get confirmed to follow this blog – and receive notifications of replies. WordPress insists I use the email my photoshelter emails come to but I don’t have (nor want) a wordpress blog of my own and those I’ve done for others have been connected to other email addresses. It’s a mess. Don’t know how to get my comment accepted.

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