Fare thee well, Google Fi/Pixel

[Captante]

I've stuck with Fi because the service in the areas I've lived (NYC and Boston) have been pretty good overall, and the seamless experience I have when I travel internationally. My pixel phones have largely been okay, still on the 3a. May move to a Samsung S22 variant of I want to upgrade thanks to the longer update lifetime.

I'd be happy to move to another carrier too, but the costs are just ridiculous for one or two lines of service, and my ATT discount I can get through my Fortune 500 employer doesn't even bring it close to what I pay now. Currently, I pay <$30/mo for my Fi line.

At least Google will sell you an S22 with Fi software baked in directly now. I used my S20 with Fi for awhile before switching to Ting and it did work seamlessly with Fi.... so does Ting though and @ half the price. (they can't compete with Google on hardware deals though)

 

[nakedfrog]

I'd love to be able to justify one believe me.... thing is though the phone is pretty much flawless except for that sensor. (I really miss the old LG sensor/power button on the back)

Also I like to buy my phones unlocked so I would need to find a deal.... I'm severely allergic to paying retail! (final price for the S20 through Fi was $99 after rebates!)

I'll be sad when it's time to replace my LG G8, no idea what I'll end up getting.

 

[Captante]

I'll be sad when it's time to replace my LG G8, no idea what I'll end up getting.

I really like the v30+ I used with Sprint for a couple years.... I still have it but now its only used to "cast" video.

The one thing that really is a big upgrade for a phone IMO (just like monitors) is a high-refresh/fast response display. The one "upgrade" I could never go back from with the S20 is the 120hz refresh rate screen.

Playing around with the old v30+ (or even the S20 set to 60hz/full res) now is barely tolerable and feels slow/laggy just like using a 60hz panel to game after adjusting to the silky-smoothness of 165+.

 

[lxskllr]

I've been really impressed with Motorola. Close to a vanilla experience, and the addons are actually pretty useful. No Samsung shitware that duplicates functionality. Probably not for people that want a flagship phone, but the two I have do everything I need, and they both have headphone jacks.

 

[Captante]

I've been really impressed with Motorola. Close to a vanilla experience, and the addons are actually pretty useful. No Samsung shitware that duplicates functionality. Probably not for people that want a flagship phone, but the two I have do everything I need, and they both have headphone jacks.

My second phone is the older version of the Moto G-Power (the one with the big battery) and despite being a genuine bottom-feeder it's decent software-wise plus is completely usable despite its inferior 60hz LCD display.

Note among the very first things I do with ANY phone is install the paid/pro version of Nova launcher... this is a "must" with Samsung in particular due to bloat in 1UI. The Moto's Android however is much closer to stock Android 11 with a security patch from April 22. (it's anyone's guess when they'll get around to another security update)

The S20 OTOH has had the June update of Android 12 for several weeks now and is updated by Samsung roughly every 30 days, sometimes beating even Google/Pixel itself to the punch rolling out updates. When Android 13 is released the S20 will be getting it if desired and the newer phones are even better in terms of updates.

 

[VashHT]

I've stuck with Fi because the service in the areas I've lived (NYC and Boston) have been pretty good overall, and the seamless experience I have when I travel internationally. My pixel phones have largely been okay, still on the 3a. May move to a Samsung S22 variant of I want to upgrade thanks to the longer update lifetime.

Yeah the international service has been amazing with Fi for me, used it in multiple countries in Europe, southeast Asia, Australia and Japan and didn't have any problems at all, you land and it just connects like you're still in the US.

 

[lxskllr]

Yea, I'll give Samsung that. They are pretty good with updates, and I never had a problem with the hardware. I just find the experience kind of annoying. Programs running in the background that I never used, never will use, and can't disable through the gui. Have to go into adb to disable them. They try too hard to be apple, and they'll never be apple. They're just another android company that does a pretty good job with hardware.

 

[Captante]

Yea, I'll give Samsung that. They are pretty good with updates, and I never had a problem with the hardware. I just find the experience kind of annoying. Programs running in the background that I never used, never will use, and can't disable through the gui. Have to go into adb to disable them. They try too hard to be apple, and they'll never be apple. They're just another android company that does a pretty good job with hardware.

Using Nova launcher and disabling every app possible to disable in app settings makes a world of difference.... I really dislike Samsung's bloated software myself.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I was able to remove or disable everything I didn't want on my Stylus.

 

[lxskllr]

I have a MotoE I use for internet at home, and MotoG Stylus 5G(What a hassle of a name!) I use as my phone.

 

[MrSquished]

so this is tempting, i am thinking about getting an android watch. has the galaxy watch been good for you?

i'd need to find something with a stretchy band, those are the only kind i can tolerate

Don't get an Android watch yet. Google is releasing a new pixel watch in September. So I'd wait for reviews on that before making a decision. It's only 2 months away

 

[brianmanahan]

Don't get an Android watch yet. Google is releasing a new pixel watch in September. So I'd wait for reviews on that before making a decision. It's only 2 months away

ooh good to know, thanks

 

[ch33zw1z]

Fi sucked for me

my OP 5T is a great phone.

OP dropped support for it after 3 years, so fuck them too.

then ATT kicked it off saying 5T’s no longer supported. That’s when I tried Fi, which was just awful for me

have iPhone and Verizon now, happy camper for now.

 

[JM Aggie08]

The 65w charge on this thing is ridiculous -- it charges so damn quick. I was able to disable the majority of the bloatware as well but honestly, there wasn't a lot.

I didn't even think about it since we recently got my wife a new(er) phone, but she's actually eligible for something new fo free...so likely headed back to the store this weekend.

 

[Captante]

Fi sucked for me

my OP 5T is a great phone.

OP dropped support for it after 3 years, so fuck them too.

then ATT kicked it off saying 5T’s no longer supported. That’s when I tried Fi, which was just awful for me

have iPhone and Verizon now, happy camper for now.

If Fi's signal/service was bad in your area you should also stay away from T-Mobile since that's 90% of Fi now. I only had issues with their support/CS the service itself was actually very good. (even in central Maine)

How well Fi works is also heavily dependent on your phone's software and just because an Android phone will WORK with Fi (like my old Galaxy s5) it does NOT mean it will work well or support all features.

Also keep in mind that Fi USED to (partially) use Sprint as a provider and if you were one of the many folks with bad Sprint service in their area then Fi was bad too.

 

[ch33zw1z]

If Fi's signal/service was bad in your area you should also stay away from T-Mobile since that's 90% of Fi now. I only had issues with their support/CS the service itself was actually very good. (even in central Maine)

How well Fi works is also heavily dependent on your phone's software and just because an Android phone will WORK with Fi (like my old Galaxy s5) it does NOT mean it will work well or support all features.

Also keep in mind that Fi USED to (partially) use Sprint as a provider and if you were one of the many folks with bad Sprint service in their area then Fi was bad too.

yep T-Mobile is rough out in my area. However, even in a metro area Fi would choke quick a bit, and calls would sound like robot voices almost always

 

[JM Aggie08]

Part of me feels like Fi just isn't going to be around for the long term. The service has declined, and the support has gone to shit. It kind of feels like they're slowly sunsetting the service.

 

[Torn Mind]

Fi ads had nicely done music.

TMobile sucks where I'm at. Go in a house or store...there's a good chance of losing the connection.

 

[Captante]

Part of me feels like Fi just isn't going to be around for the long term. The service has declined, and the support has gone to shit. It kind of feels like they're slowly sunsetting the service.

Fair assumption based on it being run by Google alone.

 

[lxskllr]

Tmobile's great around here. Had good luck with sprint also before they were bought. Good thing. I wouldn't be terribly enthused about getting att or verizon. As soon as walmart forces my home internet phone to verizon, I'm planning on getting a tmobile hotspot instead.

 

[Captante]

Tmobile's great around here. Had good luck with sprint also before they were bought.

Same here on both so Fi was great for me... most of the Northeast US is well-covered as I mentioned even up in Maine via US Cellular.

Sprint OTOH while it was great in New Haven and within a few miles of most interstate-highways, it was really sketchy anyplace else. (the S5 I had running with Fi for awhile before buying the S20 was Sprint-only!)

Fortunately I have 2 fiber-companies that will be available in my area within 6-12 months so no need for cell-internet. That must have Comcast nervous too! I've never heard them more helpful then when I had to call support briefly the other day!

 

[MrSquished]

It's tough to beat the TMo over 55 plans. It's 180 for four lines magenta Max, which we are on until our overseas trip is over.

Then only $140 for four lines on regular magenta! $35 bucks a line for a really good plan with tons of 5G data and a decent amount of hotspot data too.

 

[kt]

Been using the Pixel 3 XL on Fi for a while without any issue with the service. Can't really get 3 lines for $75/month with unlimited data anywhere else. I am not sure why everyone seem to have battery life issues with their Pixel phones. I've had mine for over 3 years and still have over 80% capacity according to AccuBattery app. I can easily go through a day with mine on normal usage and still have over 40%.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Similar story here, with the phone at least... I've had Google phones from day one but recent software "updates" and pixel 6 horror stories made me spring for a galaxy s22 ($299 when switching to Fi) that I'll use temporarily until I figure out where to go next. The deal only requires 4 months of Fi thankfully.

 

[Captante]

Similar story here, with the phone at least... I've had Google phones from day one but recent software "updates" and pixel 6 horror stories made me spring for a galaxy s22 ($299 when switching to Fi) that I'll use temporarily until I figure out where to go next. The deal only requires 4 months of Fi thankfully.

Similar to the deal I got on the s20 but I also had $199 in Fi promo-credit .... they really do make it tempting to upgrade!

The in-screen fingerprint sensor is crap on the s20 and lately it's really bugging me! (takes 2-3 tries EVERY time!)

That Fi s22 @ $299 is looking good!


EDIT: The s22+ @ $399 looks even better considering I can trade in my near-mint s20 for a $280 credit! I may just do it.