Remember when unlimited plans were affordable? Google Fi’s affordable plan remembers, too. As the service celebrates its 10th birthday, it’s gifting users something that feels increasingly rare in the telecom world – a price cut that doesn’t require reading the fine print with a magnifying glass.
The New Budget Champion
The freshly launched “Unlimited Essentials” plan clocks in at just $35 monthly, replacing the previous $50 entry-level offering. That’s a $15 monthly savings in 2025’s inflation-soaked reality.
What do you get for your $35? Unlimited talk, text, and 30GB of high-speed data before throttling kicks in. There’s no hotspot capability (much like trying to share food with friends when you’re already hungry), but the core experience remains intact for domestic users.
More Data, Same Price Tag
For those who routinely bump against data caps (you know who you are, TikTok scrollers), the standard plans received substantial upgrades without the dreaded price hike:
- Unlimited Standard ($50): Now packs 50GB of high-speed data (up from 35GB) and 25GB of hotspot data (up from 5GB)
- Unlimited Premium ($65): Doubles its data allotment to 100GB and offers 50GB of hotspot data, plus perks like 6 months of YouTube Premium, 100GB of Google One storage, and smartwatch connectivity
Travel Perks For The Globe-Trotters
Google Fi hasn’t forgotten about the passport-stamp collectors either. The service expanded its 5G international coverage to 92 destinations, adding 54 new countries to its coverage map. This expanded international coverage applies specifically to the Premium and Flexible plans.
The new data-only eSIMs deserve particular attention. Setting up connectivity on compatible tablets and laptops now takes considerably less time than with physical SIM cards, eliminating the need to wait for shipping or visit a store.
Hardware Sweeteners
For those hanging onto devices well past their prime, some Google Pixel Features are offering some compelling hardware promotions through April 29:
- $300 instant discount on the Pixel 9 Pro, with the remaining $699 spread over 24 monthly credits, a deal that may attract those curious about the future of foldables, especially with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s innovative features now coming into focus.
- $100 off the Pixel Watch 3 when bundled with the phone, with the remaining $349 spread over 24 monthly credits
It’s worth noting that these promotions require staying on the plan for the full 24 months to receive all credits.
The Competition Check
When comparing Google Fi’s new $35 offering to traditional carriers with higher-priced entry-level unlimited plans, the value proposition becomes clear. Even among fellow MVNOs, Google Fi’s straightforward approach without annual commitments gives it a distinctive edge.
For domestic users who don’t need international roaming or excessive hotspot data, this birthday refresh represents a rare win in the consumer tech space, where “upgrade” usually means “pay more for marginally better features.” Instead, Google Fi is delivering what many have wanted all along: a simple plan with enough data for daily needs at a competitive price point.
Google Fi’s decade-long evolution from experimental project to value leader shows that sometimes, the best innovations aren’t flashy new features – they’re making existing technology more accessible to everyone.
