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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Google Fi won Paul Thurrott back not because it was the cheapest phone service, but because it solved his recurring U.S.–Mexico travel problem with one U.S. number, included data, easier eSIM activation, spam controls, and a tolerable total cost. His January 9, 2024 article is best read as a case study in total cost and administrative friction—not as a current Fi plan guide. Current plan names and allowances are different.
The problem was bigger than the monthly bill
Thurrott wanted to keep one U.S. phone number while spending weeks in Mexico. The practical requirements were straightforward:
- Mobile data that worked in both countries without buying a new package for every trip.
- No constant choice between a local SIM, a travel eSIM, and U.S. roaming.
- Easy movement between phones using eSIM.
- Protection from unwanted calls and texts.
- A carrier he could leave without a long-term contract.
That combination gave convenience a monetary value. A plan that was cheaper on paper could become more expensive after international data, eSIM purchases, troubleshooting time, and unused bundled benefits were counted.
Why T-Mobile stopped fitting the travel pattern
In the article’s 2023 comparison, Thurrott paid approximately $50 per month for a T-Mobile Magenta 55+ plan after AutoPay savings. He reported 100 GB of domestic high-speed data, 5 GB of high-speed hotspot data, 5 GB of high-speed international data, unlimited international texting, and low-cost international calling.
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- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
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- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
The problem was operational. He said moving the T-Mobile eSIM between phones required contacting support, and the included Mexico allowance was not enough for his trips. He therefore expected to add a local SIM or third-party eSIM. Those are historical plan details and personal experiences, not current T-Mobile terms. T-Mobile’s present public 55+ offerings advertise different international allowances and pricing that varies by plan and number of lines; check the current T-Mobile plan page before comparing.
His actual data use changed the calculation
Thurrott initially thought he used about 2 GB of mobile data per month. T-Mobile usage records told a different story: 9.64 GB in one month, 6.4 GB in another, and between 1 GB and 4.5 GB in most others. He used 47.9 GB during 2023—about 4 GB monthly—or about 3.2 GB monthly after removing the two unusually high months.
That pattern matters for any low-data comparison. Occasional travel, hotspot use, or an unusually busy month can erase the apparent savings of a plan priced for minimal usage.
The 2023 comparison: cash cost versus complete solution
The following figures are the author’s approximate 2023 calculations, not today’s prices. They assume one line, his usage, several Mexico trips, and the value he assigned to a YouTube Premium promotion.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
| Option | Estimated annual cost | What the estimate included |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | $600 | Approximately $50 per month under the author’s plan. |
| Google Fi Flexible | $720 | $20 monthly base plus $10/GB at approximately 4 GB per month. |
| Mint Mobile | $240–$300 | Domestic prepaid plan; international data was separate. |
| Mint plus Nomad eSIMs | Approximately $450 | Five 10 GB eSIM purchases at roughly $30 each, using the author’s 2023 assumption. |
| Google Fi Simply Unlimited | Approximately $435 effective first-year cost | About $50 monthly after assigning value to a one-year YouTube Premium promotion. |
The table does not prove that Fi is generally cheaper than Mint or T-Mobile. It shows why the cheapest domestic subscription did not produce the cheapest complete travel solution for this particular usage pattern. Taxes, government fees, changing promotions, prepaid terms, and the value of a subscription a reader would otherwise buy can materially change the result.
Why Mint was cheaper but less convenient
Thurrott’s selected Mint plan was substantially less expensive for domestic service, but Mint international data was separate. He considered the article’s cited Mexico roaming rate of approximately $0.06 per MB—about $61 per GB—unattractive, so a travel eSIM became necessary. Mint plans were also purchased in three-, six-, or twelve-month blocks.
He additionally described spam calls and texts as a reason his previous Mint experience was frustrating. That is his account, not evidence that Mint universally causes spam. The relevant trade-off is between a low prepaid domestic price and the extra setup, funding, and troubleshooting required when travel begins.
Mexico made the decision decisive
Several-week stays in Mexico City made integrated service more valuable than a domestic-only price. Thurrott wanted his U.S. number, data, and ordinary messaging to continue without choosing a new local product each time.
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Today’s Google Fi Wireless plan page lists calls, texts, and data in Canada and Mexico with Unlimited Standard and Unlimited Premium. Flexible also lists international data in 200+ destinations, while Premium extends international data to 200+ destinations with a larger allowance. “Coverage” does not guarantee identical performance everywhere: verify the partner network, local availability, high-speed allowance, hotspot limit, and any long-term foreign-use restrictions for your destination.
A U.S. number may also be insufficient for services that require a permanent Mexican number, including some banks, delivery services, government systems, and two-factor authentication flows.
What Fi offered then—and what it offers now
The historical Simply Unlimited plan
In the January 2024 article, Simply Unlimited cost $50 per month for one line and included 35 GB of high-speed data usable in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, 5 GB of hotspot data, and a one-year YouTube Premium promotion. That plan name and those allowances should not be treated as current.
Current Google Fi plans
| Plan | One line | Two lines | Key allowances and geography |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Essentials | $35/month | $60/month | 30 GB high-speed data per person; U.S.-only. |
| Unlimited Standard | $50/month | $80/month | 50 GB high-speed data per person, 25 GB high-speed hotspot, Canada and Mexico service. |
| Unlimited Premium | $65/month | $110/month | 100 GB high-speed data per person, 50 GB hotspot, international data in 200+ destinations, 100 GB Google One, and six months of YouTube Premium. |
| Flexible | $20/month plus $10/GB | $35/month plus $10/GB | Pay for data used; international data in 200+ destinations. |
Prices exclude taxes and government fees and can change. At $20 plus $10 per gigabyte, one-line Flexible reaches the $50 price of Standard at roughly 3 GB before taxes, although the plans differ in hotspot and international features. Standard is the likely modern fit for the article’s regular U.S.–Mexico traveler; Premium is designed for broader international travel. That is a practical comparison, not Google’s claim that either plan is the successor to Simply Unlimited.
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Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
Which current Fi plan fits which traveler?
U.S.-only, light-data user
Compare Essentials with Flexible. Essentials provides a predictable bill; Flexible can be cheaper when usage stays very low and predictable. If usage regularly exceeds about 3 GB, its one-line price approaches Standard before fees.
Regular Mexico or Canada traveler
Unlimited Standard most closely matches the original use case: one line with included service in both countries and a 25 GB high-speed hotspot allowance.
Frequent worldwide traveler
Unlimited Premium is the relevant comparison when trips extend beyond Canada and Mexico and the 200+ destination allowance, larger data pool, Google One, or YouTube Premium are genuinely useful. Do not count a perk as savings unless you would otherwise pay for it and qualify for the promotion.
Heavy hotspot or multi-line household
Check the separate hotspot limits, multi-line price, taxes, and competing household promotions. A lower per-line headline price can lose once several lines and data needs are included.
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Switching to Fi: a safer eSIM and number-porting checklist
Thurrott reported that his switch took minutes, but a fast activation is not guaranteed. Prepare before starting:
- Confirm the phone is unlocked, Fi-compatible, and supports the required eSIM.
- Keep the old carrier active. Do not cancel it before the number transfer completes.
- Retrieve the old carrier’s account number and transfer PIN; Thurrott obtained his PIN in the T-Mobile app.
- On Wi-Fi, sign up in the Google Fi app and enter the transfer details.
- Allow Fi to deactivate the old service and download the new eSIM.
- Test incoming and outgoing calls, SMS, RCS, voicemail, mobile data, and hotspot.
If activation stalls, check the account information, number-lock or fraud-prevention settings, device compatibility, and Wi-Fi connection. If the old carrier still receives calls after the transfer, contact that carrier; contact Fi when the transfer remains stuck or the eSIM will not download.
Spam protection and plan flexibility
Fi advertises advanced spam call blocking, VPN by Google, 24/7 support, eSIM activation, and the ability to change plans as needs change. Spam controls were important to Thurrott because unwanted calls and texts had been a personal pain point. They reduce friction but do not guarantee that every unwanted message disappears.
Before changing plans for a trip, confirm when the change takes effect, whether billing is prorated, how allowances reset, and whether a promotion or device financing is affected. A plan change is useful only if its timing matches the travel dates.
When Google Fi is not worth paying for
- You rarely leave the U.S. and use little data.
- Another network has materially better coverage where you live or work.
- You need extensive domestic hotspot use beyond the plan limit.
- You require a permanent Mexican number.
- You spend long, continuous periods abroad and may encounter foreign-use restrictions.
- You do not value Google One or YouTube Premium and Standard already covers your destinations.
- You need a retail support model, enterprise support, or a device promotion another carrier provides.
- Your phone is locked, incompatible, or lacks dependable eSIM support.
For occasional international travel, a cheaper domestic MVNO plus a destination eSIM can still win. For domestic-first users, compare the total of the annual prepaid plan, travel data, taxes, and the time required to manage a second SIM—not just the advertised monthly rate.
Bottom line
Fi brought Thurrott back because it combined acceptable cost with fewer travel decisions. For a present-day reader who regularly moves between the United States and Mexico, Unlimited Standard is the logical starting comparison; Premium earns its higher price only when broader international service or included perks will be used. Domestic-only, low-data customers should not pay for that convenience if a simpler local plan already meets their needs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
