If you’re a phone enthusiast living in the United States, you might take Google Fi for granted. It’s just another carrier option, one among many. But from where I sit—north of the border, in Canada—Google Fi looks like the best mobile service I’ll never be allowed to use. And that stings more than you’d think.
Google Fi provides data for all my devices
Without charging extra for the privilege
Here in Canada, every carrier treats multi-device data like a luxury add-on. Want your smartwatch to share your phone’s cellular connection? That’ll be $15 CAD per month—roughly $10 USD. Want your tablet online without hunting for Wi-Fi? Same deal. It nickel-and-dimes you until you decide it’s not worth the convenience.
Google Fi doesn’t play that game. Even the most affordable Unlimited Essentials plan at $35 per month includes full smartwatch data for the Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch at no extra charge. No hidden fees, no add-on plans, no asterisks in the fine print. The Unlimited Premium plan at $65 per month extends that same philosophy to cellular laptops and tablets. You just connect and go, because your data plan already covers everything.
What really stands out is that Google Fi isn’t charging for data you won’t use. Most Canadian carriers push massive unlimited data buckets that look generous on paper but come with trade-offs: lower video resolution, no smartwatch support, and restrictive hotspot caps. Google Fi’s approach is smarter—charge fairly for what’s actually useful, and don’t pad the bill with extra fees for basic functionality.
Google Fi saves me money on phone upgrades
The carrier that rewards loyalty (to Pixel, anyway)
Carrier deals on new phones are nothing new. Walk into any Rogers or Bell store and they’ll offer you a “free” phone if you sign a two-year contract. But here’s the thing—those contracts almost always lock you into expensive plans that eat away any savings you thought you were getting.
Google Fi takes a different approach. When the Pixel 11 launches, Fi subscribers can expect meaningful upfront discounts—often hundreds of dollars off—without needing to commit to an overpriced plan. On top of that, Google sweetens the deal with bundled perks like AI Pro subscriptions and cloud storage. It’s the kind of offer that makes you want to upgrade early rather than drag your feet for another year.
Yes, Google is doing this to sell more Pixel phones. I get that. But the result is still a better deal than what I can find anywhere in Canada. The promos are strong enough that even if you switch carriers midway through, you’re still ahead compared to what you’d pay up here.
Yes, Google services matter
Security, privacy, and cloud integration aren’t just buzzwords
Google Fi’s tight integration with Google’s ecosystem goes beyond convenience. Because the service is linked to your Google account, the carrier can detect SIM swap attacks and robocall campaigns more effectively than most competitors. The built-in VPN adds another layer of protection, especially when you’re on public Wi-Fi. It’s not revolutionary on its own, but the sum of these features creates a noticeably safer experience.
Then there’s the cloud storage. The Unlimited Premium plan includes 100GB of Google One storage—enough for photos, documents, and Drive uploads. Is it worth signing up just for that? No. Google One costs $20 a year regardless of your carrier. But if you’re already in the Google ecosystem, having it bundled into your phone plan is a nice bonus rather than yet another subscription to manage.
Not the perfect carrier, but right for me
I’ll be honest: Google Fi isn’t for everyone. iPhone users lose out on cellular Apple Watch support and encrypted calls. Heavy data users might find better value with low-cost MVNOs. International travelers might prefer dedicated eSIM solutions. And if you’re uncomfortable tying your mobile service so closely to Google, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
But for someone like me—a tech enthusiast invested in the Google ecosystem who wants fair pricing, multi-device support, and solid security—Google Fi is the carrier I wish existed in Canada. It’s the best phone service I’m not allowed to use. And until something comparable launches up here, I’ll keep watching from across the border with a healthy dose of envy.
