Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.social
Sep 11, 2026, 10:35 PMIt looks like I'll be saving even more with U.S. Mobile over Google FI.
Replies
Nicks WorldNicksWorld@mastodon.stickbear.meSep 11, 2026, 10:36 PM@ppatel How much are you paying for this compared to google's service?
- Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.socialSep 11, 2026, 10:39 PM
@NicksWorld $15 per line as opposed to $25 (tax included). There are data charges in addition to that. The data is included for U.S. mobile. I also get to choose whether to use T-Mobile or Verizon networks.
- Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.socialSep 11, 2026, 10:40 PM
@NicksWorld I'll be switching over in a few weeks. I'll be happy to let you know how it goes.
- Nicks WorldNicksWorld@mastodon.stickbear.meSep 11, 2026, 10:43 PM
@ppatel Sounds good. I hope it works.
- Tamas GTamasg@mindly.socialSep 12, 2026, 2:11 AM
@ppatel OK you got me on this post because I use Google FI as well. As I understand it though, they have a special deal with T-mo where even though they're an MVNO, they don't get prioritized lanes like Metro or others might. I do not know how true this is as I think it was just in a forum thing I saw it though. But it's been sort of the mythical reason I've stuck to Fi, that and the international roaming being really solid compared to T-mo, meeting or exceding theirs. I'll have to check what towers U.S Mobile uses. OK wow, interesting, all 3 towers. That was what Google Fi was initially kind of marketing, that you had 2 towers to switch between and then once Sprint merged I was surprised they didn't renegociate a new deal with another Carrier as a second at least. @NicksWorld
BorrisBorrisInABox@fwoof.spaceSep 12, 2026, 2:14 AM@Tamasg @ppatel @NicksWorld I've been with US Mobile for a little more than a year, have tried all three providers through it. I have not noticed any sort of lower prioritization on any of them like I have seen with other MVNOs.
- Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.socialSep 12, 2026, 2:20 AM
@BorrisInABox It's good to know that human testing supports documented behavior. I think some of the plans have lower prioritization after 70 GB of usage looking at the fine print. @Tamasg @NicksWorld
- BorrisBorrisInABox@fwoof.spaceSep 12, 2026, 2:23 AM
@ppatel @Tamasg @NicksWorld Yeah, I read that somewhere. I have also read that, depending on where you are, it might not matter.
- Tamas GTamasg@mindly.socialSep 12, 2026, 2:23 AM
@ppatel now the big question. Do they let you associate multiple data-only E-Sims for free to any other device? It's what got me hooked on Fi again TBH. My iPad and Android can still get data, even if they don't have hotspotting, but at least it's drawing from my line's data plan and I'm not paying extra for them, and can still keep them connected. I like both ideas, easily transfering the eSim of the main line or if I want multiple active just getting a data-only like that. @BorrisInABox @NicksWorld
- Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.socialSep 12, 2026, 2:25 AM
@Tamasg yes. The premium plan does let you have more than one data sim. @BorrisInABox @NicksWorld
- Timothy Wynntwynn@mas.toSep 12, 2026, 2:21 AM
@BorrisInABox Here are the QCI levels for various carriers and MVNOs:
https://www.reddit.com/comments/1mxogtx/
@Tamasg @ppatel @NicksWorld - Pratik Patelppatel@mstdn.socialSep 12, 2026, 2:16 AM
@Tamasg I misquoted the price in my original. I'm going for the premium line for me and the starter line for my mom. Since tax is included, I'm still going to save quite a bit of money. Fi doesn't have the different lines. Mom will be using the phone mostly at home so no need for the extras. @NicksWorld
Jonathan MosenJonathanMosen@caneandable.socialSep 12, 2026, 1:06 PM@ppatel While there is a lot to like, I switched away from US Mobile because, at least at the time, accessibility of their app and site wasn’t the best. Also, they don’t support direct eSIM transfer when you buy a new device, which is so convenient. If you have a cellular Apple Watch, it pretty much locks you into using Verizon which defeats the point of it really. And their customer service is dodgy. There is a work-around for that final thing though, use their Subreddit.
It’s more expensive but I switched to T-Mobile and have had very good service. Upgrading to a new iPhone just works. Although I have probably jinxed it now.- BorrisBorrisInABox@fwoof.spaceSep 12, 2026, 1:08 PM
@JonathanMosen @ppatel I don't get what you mean with the eSIM transfer thing. I have moved my U.S. Mobile eSIMs from iPhone to iPhone, and even between Android and iPhone. Yeah, the app isn't great, so I just mostly use the website, which the app duplicates for the most part anyway.
- Jonathan MosenJonathanMosen@caneandable.socialSep 12, 2026, 1:15 PM
@BorrisInABox @ppatel With US Mobile, you can move the eSIm by logging into your account and doing it that way, but there is a protocol that moves eSIMs as part of setup. No logging in required, it just works. The big three support this and it’s just one less thing to worry about.
- BorrisBorrisInABox@fwoof.spaceSep 12, 2026, 1:17 PM
@JonathanMosen @ppatel Oh, that. I'm used to doing that anyway, so I won't notice the difference. Definitely worth saving over $100/month. I'm paying for five lines, and that really adds up.