Project Fi Users, Are you happy with the service?
August 3, 2016 3:33 PM Subscribe
I am in need of a new phone and interested in switching to Google's Project Fi. Would love to hear from anyone currently using the service. Is it reliable? Do you like the Nexus phone? Is the billing as straightforward and simple to understand as they claim?
I am not a data hog. I use my current phone mostly just for work. Need a service that is reliable all over the USA, but in particular in remote areas of AZ, UT, WY and SD. Have T-Mobile monthly plan now, and it's ok. But considering it doesn't include data and is costing me $35 a month, Project Fi seems like a better deal.
I am not a data hog. I use my current phone mostly just for work. Need a service that is reliable all over the USA, but in particular in remote areas of AZ, UT, WY and SD. Have T-Mobile monthly plan now, and it's ok. But considering it doesn't include data and is costing me $35 a month, Project Fi seems like a better deal.
It is very straightforward. I had an overage issue this month with using the phone as a hotspot and not realizing it had connected to the network instead of wifi, but that's the only problem thus far. Customer service is great. Coverage alternates between great and OK, depending on where you're at. Sometimes you have to reboot the phone to get it unstuck from wifi to network mode. I'm using a Nexus 6p. I would definitely recommend the service, and it's saved me a decent chunk of change.
posted by Happydaz at 3:55 PM on August 3, 2016
posted by Happydaz at 3:55 PM on August 3, 2016
I am very happy with Project Fi. I use it primarily in Seattle. I'm a former T-Mobile subscriber.
The Nexus 5X is not a tippy-top of the line phone, but I like it. The call quality is good. The camera is excellent. If you need to store a lot of data on your phone, that could be a problem.
My connectivity is better in The Seattle area that it was when I was on T-Mobile. There are apps you can use to see when Google shuffles you between T-Mobile and Sprint. It has been seamless for me, and I have consistently better coverage and connectivity between the two.
The billing is indeed as simple and easy as they say. I subscribe at the 2GB of data level, and I'm usually right around there. Each month my bill is $40 + the $5ish in taxes and regulatory fees for the phone line, and then they either subtract or add the variance from 2GB that I used the previous month. Usually a couple of dollars either way for me.
What I love about it:
1. It works in Japan at no extra cost for the data.
2. I have seven devices tied to my account. Three phones, two Android tablets, and two iPads. They all use the same pool of data, with no bullshit from Google about that. They only charge me for the data I use, and they don't care how many devices I use or whether they are phones or tablets. Only one device can be your primary phone and make actual cellular calls, but you can use Google hangouts on all the others, and they will all work as a phone over data/wifi. (Google hangouts isn't really great for that though, but it works in a pinch).
3. Their customer service is exemplary.
4. Their app and website give me all the billing and usage stats I want instantly, laid out clearly in aggregate or broken out by device.
What I don't love about it:
1. It's great for a single user/phone number, but there is no family plan nor any way to tie two phone numbers to the same account.
2. Google hangouts kind of sucks, really. But it is nice for extending your phone service to different devices if you need to.
posted by mammoth at 4:06 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Nexus 5X is not a tippy-top of the line phone, but I like it. The call quality is good. The camera is excellent. If you need to store a lot of data on your phone, that could be a problem.
My connectivity is better in The Seattle area that it was when I was on T-Mobile. There are apps you can use to see when Google shuffles you between T-Mobile and Sprint. It has been seamless for me, and I have consistently better coverage and connectivity between the two.
The billing is indeed as simple and easy as they say. I subscribe at the 2GB of data level, and I'm usually right around there. Each month my bill is $40 + the $5ish in taxes and regulatory fees for the phone line, and then they either subtract or add the variance from 2GB that I used the previous month. Usually a couple of dollars either way for me.
What I love about it:
1. It works in Japan at no extra cost for the data.
2. I have seven devices tied to my account. Three phones, two Android tablets, and two iPads. They all use the same pool of data, with no bullshit from Google about that. They only charge me for the data I use, and they don't care how many devices I use or whether they are phones or tablets. Only one device can be your primary phone and make actual cellular calls, but you can use Google hangouts on all the others, and they will all work as a phone over data/wifi. (Google hangouts isn't really great for that though, but it works in a pinch).
3. Their customer service is exemplary.
4. Their app and website give me all the billing and usage stats I want instantly, laid out clearly in aggregate or broken out by device.
What I don't love about it:
1. It's great for a single user/phone number, but there is no family plan nor any way to tie two phone numbers to the same account.
2. Google hangouts kind of sucks, really. But it is nice for extending your phone service to different devices if you need to.
posted by mammoth at 4:06 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
I love it.
I'm in the Detroit area.
I have the Nexus 6P.
The coverage has been very solid. I love the phone. The billing is very straightforward. When I had to make a warranty claim on my 6P, I called and spoke to a real live person who was so effective and processed my return so quickly that it was almost creepy.
The only knock I will say is that sometimes the call quality when it's dumped over to WiFi is not 100% the best, but it's a minor thing (for me).
Also, I'm not sure exactly what magic drives this, or if I could do this without Project Fi without much fuss, but the thing that I absolutely love is that now, when someone sends me a SMS message, it pops up on Google Hangouts if I'm signed in on my desktop. I really like that feature.
Anyway, I am a very happy Project Fi customer.
posted by kbanas at 4:11 PM on August 3, 2016
I'm in the Detroit area.
I have the Nexus 6P.
The coverage has been very solid. I love the phone. The billing is very straightforward. When I had to make a warranty claim on my 6P, I called and spoke to a real live person who was so effective and processed my return so quickly that it was almost creepy.
The only knock I will say is that sometimes the call quality when it's dumped over to WiFi is not 100% the best, but it's a minor thing (for me).
Also, I'm not sure exactly what magic drives this, or if I could do this without Project Fi without much fuss, but the thing that I absolutely love is that now, when someone sends me a SMS message, it pops up on Google Hangouts if I'm signed in on my desktop. I really like that feature.
Anyway, I am a very happy Project Fi customer.
posted by kbanas at 4:11 PM on August 3, 2016
I have it and I have really liked it, but the only con is that it's not great in remoter areas (rural PA in my case) so I would be wary of needing it in the places you describe. But the good news is, I believe the Nexus phone works on any major carrier, and there's no contract, so you can always try Fi and switch if you need to.
posted by nakedmolerats at 4:35 PM on August 3, 2016
posted by nakedmolerats at 4:35 PM on August 3, 2016
I've been using it since day one and have enjoyed it a lot. I came from Sprint and coverage is better than I got with them. Billing is very straightforward as others have mentioned. I did have some data crises early on but turning off auto play videos in any apps that have the option solved that problem.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:12 PM on August 3, 2016
posted by backseatpilot at 5:12 PM on August 3, 2016
Response by poster: Guess I'll be getting a new Nexus this weekend! Thanks for your replies!
posted by pjsky at 5:33 PM on August 3, 2016
posted by pjsky at 5:33 PM on August 3, 2016
Project Fi has worked out really well for me. However, the Sprint towers here suck (in the bay area), so I use an app called FiSwitch to switch to a T-Mobile tower. I think it's a couple of bucks, but I'd say that it's worth a download if your phone keeps trying to connect to a Sprint tower in certain regions. Otherwise, billing and service has been great!
posted by extramundane at 7:38 PM on August 3, 2016
posted by extramundane at 7:38 PM on August 3, 2016
If you can wait, supposedly there will be new Nexus phones in early October. This will also drop the price on the existing ones. If you can't wait, the 5X is still a good deal, but in case you wanted something brand spanking new...
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 8:45 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 8:45 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
One more data point:
1/ Absolute love it.
2/ Used to have a Nexus 5. The 5X is the only nexus phone I've been disappointed with. It's just really slow and laggy. If you can deal with the size, go for the 6P instead, or wait.
3/ Even with that, I really love the service. I use FiSwitch, too.
4/ The "free wifi" isn't as prevalent as I'd thought. I expected I'd be able to automagically hop on the TWC or ATT networks as "part of the deal" through some mystical arrangement that I thought Google had engaged in for my benefit. Nope. But if you run into a password-less, loginpage-less open wifi, then the Fi agent will connect, build and VPN, and let you use it seamlessly.
5/ Having used Nexus phones and android for the last forever, I really like the google environment on my phone. No issues AT ALL with hangouts and etc.
One thing I don't like.
You can't forward one google voice number to another, and your Fi account is seen as a google voice number. Prior to moving to Fi I had one number with my carrier, and another GV that both rang the same phone. Now the primary (and only) phone number is Fi, my google voice numbers can no longer forward to it.
My solution is hacky as hell, but does work. I have a Sideline (it's an app that gives you a second phone #) phone number. So my other GV numbers forward to sideline, and then sideline rings on the phone. Ugly, but operable.
posted by devbrain at 8:49 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
1/ Absolute love it.
2/ Used to have a Nexus 5. The 5X is the only nexus phone I've been disappointed with. It's just really slow and laggy. If you can deal with the size, go for the 6P instead, or wait.
3/ Even with that, I really love the service. I use FiSwitch, too.
4/ The "free wifi" isn't as prevalent as I'd thought. I expected I'd be able to automagically hop on the TWC or ATT networks as "part of the deal" through some mystical arrangement that I thought Google had engaged in for my benefit. Nope. But if you run into a password-less, loginpage-less open wifi, then the Fi agent will connect, build and VPN, and let you use it seamlessly.
5/ Having used Nexus phones and android for the last forever, I really like the google environment on my phone. No issues AT ALL with hangouts and etc.
One thing I don't like.
You can't forward one google voice number to another, and your Fi account is seen as a google voice number. Prior to moving to Fi I had one number with my carrier, and another GV that both rang the same phone. Now the primary (and only) phone number is Fi, my google voice numbers can no longer forward to it.
My solution is hacky as hell, but does work. I have a Sideline (it's an app that gives you a second phone #) phone number. So my other GV numbers forward to sideline, and then sideline rings on the phone. Ugly, but operable.
posted by devbrain at 8:49 PM on August 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Lots of good features. E.g. I live in the US, and when I went to France my phone acted exactly as a French mobile phone does. Dialing is the same. Dialing (using WiFi instead of the cell network) is the same. Cellular calls within France are cheap and so far the ones on WiFi are free.
extramundane mentions FiSwitch and there is another trick you can get out of that app: if you have signal from both WiFi and cell networks it is a little difficult to ensure WiFi is chosen to carry a call. FiSwitch has a "turn off [cellular] radio" button. If you turn off the radio, WiFi will be selected.
In comparison with AT&T, the voicemail solution is clunky and that's a fair-sized beef with me, but I can deal with it because of the far lower cost and the convenience of being able to travel without needing to learn a bunch of dialing rules.
posted by jet_silver at 2:24 AM on August 4, 2016
extramundane mentions FiSwitch and there is another trick you can get out of that app: if you have signal from both WiFi and cell networks it is a little difficult to ensure WiFi is chosen to carry a call. FiSwitch has a "turn off [cellular] radio" button. If you turn off the radio, WiFi will be selected.
In comparison with AT&T, the voicemail solution is clunky and that's a fair-sized beef with me, but I can deal with it because of the far lower cost and the convenience of being able to travel without needing to learn a bunch of dialing rules.
posted by jet_silver at 2:24 AM on August 4, 2016
I have been a Project Fi customer since launch. I'm using the Old Nexus 6, not the new one with the exact same name. Like you, I'm not a heavy data user. I love the low bills, the ease of switching plans, and the fact that I get regular Android updates. I do notice some occasional issues with switching from Wifi to cellular on calls, but overall, no more bothersome than any other smartphone service I've ever head, and I like the ease of paying and adjusting your plan through the Project Fi app a great deal. Go for it!
posted by rachelpapers at 9:20 AM on August 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rachelpapers at 9:20 AM on August 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Crazy cheap. Service area is fine/unremarkable. I bought it specifically because it would work over wifi and live in such a rural area there is zero chance of getting a signal, probably ever. I slightly regret buying the 5X instead of the 6P, it's noticeably not super fast.
posted by so fucking future at 3:03 PM on August 4, 2016
posted by so fucking future at 3:03 PM on August 4, 2016
I have a Nexus 6 with Fi, and it is pretty good.
I kind of regret switching away from Ting which was usually cheaper.
Aside from Fi, that's the beauty of the Nexus line -- you're not married to your provider, you can switch when you don't like them any more.
posted by Barry B. Palindromer at 4:08 PM on August 4, 2016
I kind of regret switching away from Ting which was usually cheaper.
Aside from Fi, that's the beauty of the Nexus line -- you're not married to your provider, you can switch when you don't like them any more.
posted by Barry B. Palindromer at 4:08 PM on August 4, 2016
I am not a Project Fi customer, but my brother-in-law loaned me a Project Fi SIM on a recent international trip, and it was perfectly wonderful to turn on my (unlocked) iPhone at Heathrow and have data service. (Through Orange or O2, I think.) Then in Bonn, I had a Telekom.DE signal as soon as the airplane doors were open, and again, it was glorious to have access to maps and the network.
It changed the way I did the trip - no more advance poring over the map before wandering out into downtown, for example - and I recommend it highly for international travel. (Oh, and since I didn't do anything stupid like streaming video, my intensive use of maps and messaging and email only added up to a couple of hundred MB over the week.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:40 PM on August 5, 2016
It changed the way I did the trip - no more advance poring over the map before wandering out into downtown, for example - and I recommend it highly for international travel. (Oh, and since I didn't do anything stupid like streaming video, my intensive use of maps and messaging and email only added up to a couple of hundred MB over the week.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:40 PM on August 5, 2016
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Pricing is precisely as simple as expected. I pay for "Base + 1GB + taxes" each month, each month they credit back the data I didn't use. They even credited me back with the difference of the price when they dropped the Nexus 6 price after I bought it.
posted by CrystalDave at 3:51 PM on August 3, 2016