For those who read the blog frequently, you might have remember a few weeks back I signed up for Google Fi. I signed up right after Google made the service official by transforming Project Fi in to Google Fi. Since then I haven’t written much about it because I wanted to give it an honest test. Now, I feel like I have a good feeling of what it is and how it fits into my life. I also have some opinions on the Google Pixel 3 phone which works beautifully with the service.
What is Google Fi?
Plain and simple, Google Fi is a cell phone service from Google. The highlights of this new service are that it can be cheap, it works well domestically and internationally, and it’s easy.
Let’s start off with the price. Google Fi costs about $30 a month for unlimited calls and texts ($20 + fees). From there, you pay as you go for data. Once you use 6GB of data in a month, all data beyond that point is “free.” This means, with heavy use, the most you’ll pay a month is about $90 ($20 calls, $60 for data, $10 for fees). That’s not too bad for unlimited data both domestically and internationally.
What makes Google Fi even more unique is that it leases data from T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular. So, if you have a Google Fi compatible phone (Google Pixel 3), you’ll get the best possible connection where ever you are. Anecdotally, I’ve noticed significant improvements in data speeds over using T-Mobile alone on my iPhone X.
Finally, Google Fi works amazing overseas. If you’re in a country that offers Google Fi service (not Vietnam) you will enjoy near 4G speeds everywhere you go. Again, when I was in Hong Kong a few weeks back my Pixel on Fi worked much better than my iPhone on T-Mobile.
The Google Pixel 3
Now, I’m not a tech reviewer nor am I an Android power user, but I do have some thoughts on the Pixel 3 phone. Keep in mind, this is the first time I’ve used an Android phone since 2012. So, here’s a much more detailed review of the phone.
Right out of the box the Pixel 3 throws at lat at you. In the box was the phone, a USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C Pixel headphones, a USB-C charging brick, a dongle, and a USB to USB-C adapter.
The phone itself though is a fairly simple metal and glass sandwich.
On the back is frosted glass, a fingerprint reader, and a single camera lens which seems odd in today’s world of muti-lens phones.
As I powered on the phone there were easy to follow instructions to connect the phone to Google Fi and setup took just a few minutes. The key to a smooth setup is to make sure you have WiFI available. It’s a bit tricky without that.
However, once setup the phone has been amazing. The Google Pixel 3 is just… smart. I love the rear fingerprint reader, I love the always on “Now Playing” feature, I love how smooth the phone is, and especially, I love the camera.
Google Pixel 3 Camera
Besides being smart, the Pixel 3 has an amazing camera. It uses its single 12.2 MP lens and software to create some incredible images.
It takes great photos using a digital zoom. It takes great indoor photos which are a bit sharper than the iPhone X.
It also takes great photos outdoors in various lighting conditions.
However, the Pixel 3 takes the best low-light and night shots I’ve ever seen from a smartphone.
The only issue with the Pixel is that the photos aren’t “consistent.” The PIxel relies so much on software that sometimes the photos turn out way differently than you expect them to. Overall though, I’ve been happy with most of the pictures I’ve taken on the phone.
Final Thoughts
Overall I’ve been very happy with my Google Fi service and Google Pixel phone. However, I’m not sure that I can make it my primary phone line nor can I make the Pixel 3 my everyday smart phone. The reason is simple, I’m too tied into the Apple ecosystem and I’m too comfortable with my iPhone. Because of this, I haven’t been able to make the Pixel my everyday smartphone nor do I plan to.
I could move my iPhone onto my Google Fi service, but then I run into another issue. Only compatible phones can switch among cell carrier towers. So, if you add an iPhone to Google Fi you end up stuck on the T-Mobile network anyway. So, I don’t think it’s worth bringing my iPhone to Fi as I’d just be paying more for domestic service.
Ultimately, I’ll be keeping Fi as a high-speed international option. T-Mobile is painfully slow overseas so Fi serves as a cheap alternative for faster international data. While I hate throwing away $20 a month, it’s cheaper than paying for daily international service on AT&T and Verizon or paying a monthly premium on T-Mobile. Hopefully soon Fi will open up the network to iPhones, etc. to make the service even more appealing.
