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Our takeEditorialFi's cheapest unlimited: $35, 30 GB high-speed, no hotspot, no international data. A fair entry plan if the 256 kbps throttle floor stays theoretical.
Google Fi
Unlimited Essentials
7.0/10 UpPhone score
Fi's entry unlimited at $35/mo: 30 GB high-speed on T-Mobile and US Cellular, then 256 kbps - and no hotspot at all.
Best for
Google Fi subscribers who want 30 GB data.
LTE30 GB Data
How many lines?
Data
30 GB
Hotspot
None
Talk / text
Unlimited domestic
Network
T-Mobile's or US Cellular's network depending on SIM
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get Unlimited Essentials?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“$35 on T-Mobile with Canada and Mexico included and no contract: clean, straightforward, and priced right for moderate use.”
“No hotspot at $35, when Mint Mobile at $30 includes hotspot on the same T-Mobile network.”
Pricing for Unlimited Essentials
· no autopay discount publishedAutopay discount
Many carriers offer a discount with autopay + paperless billing. Prices above may already reflect this.
Prices may vary by region, promotions, and account history. Check Google Fi's website for current offers.
View Unlimited Essentials Plans Line by Line
1 Line
30 GB
$35.00/mo
2 Lines
30 GB
$60.00/mo
3 Lines
30 GB
$80.00/mo
4 Lines
30 GB
$90.00/mo
5 Lines
30 GB
$113.00/mo
6 Lines
30 GB
$135.00/mo
Our review
Google Fi Unlimited Essentials is the stripped-down entry into Fi's unlimited tiers.
At $35/mo per line, it sits below the $50 Standard and $65 Premium tiers and gives up two things: hotspot capability and international data roaming. What remains is 30 GB of high-speed data per line on T-Mobile and US Cellular towers, then a drop to 256 kbps for the rest of the billing cycle. The 256 kbps post-cap speed is slow enough to make most apps feel broken - basic messaging will work, web browsing will be frustrating, and video won't load.
No streaming perks. No hotspot. US, Canada, and Mexico covered for calls and texts; international texts included.
A functional entry unlimited plan with a hard ceiling on both price and experience.
What we love
- $35/mo per line with no contract
- T-Mobile and US Cellular network access
- US, Canada, and Mexico for calls and texts
- International texts included
- 30 GB high-speed data before throttle
- Can pay $10/GB to restore full speed after cap
What we don't
- No mobile hotspot at any speed
- 256 kbps after 30 GB is slow - most apps will struggle
- No international data roaming
- Taxes not included
- No streaming perks or cloud storage
Full features
Talk + text
MinutesUnlimited domestic
MessagesUnlimited domestic + international texts
Intl calling—
Data
High-speed data30 GB
HotspotNone
Contract
Contract typemonth_to_month
RoamingUS & territories
Frequently asked questions about Unlimited Essentials
What features does Unlimited Essentials include?
LTE on T-Mobile and US Cellular, 30 GB high-speed data per month, unlimited calls and texts, US/Canada/Mexico coverage, international texts included. No hotspot. No international data while traveling. Option to pay $10/GB to restore full speed after the 30 GB cap. Up to 6 lines.
How much data, talk, and text does Unlimited Essentials include?
Unlimited calls and texts domestically and in Canada and Mexico. International texts included. Data runs at full speed through 30 GB per line, then slows to 256 kbps. No international data roaming is included - the phone can make and receive calls and texts in supported countries, but data abroad requires the Standard or Premium tier.
What is the network speed on Unlimited Essentials?
Full LTE speeds through 30 GB. After the cap, 256 kbps - which is slow enough that most modern apps will feel broken. At 256 kbps, text messaging and basic email may work; any app that needs to load images, refresh a feed, or stream anything will struggle. The $10/GB option allows restoring full speed in 1 GB increments if the cap is hit and more data is needed.
Does Unlimited Essentials include mobile hotspot?
No mobile hotspot is available at this tier. The Essentials plan explicitly excludes hotspot capability. The Standard tier at $50/mo adds 25 GB of hotspot if tethering is required.
What happens if you exceed your data on Unlimited Essentials?
After 30 GB, speed drops to 256 kbps. A $10/GB option allows purchasing additional high-speed GB increments. No automatic overage charges - the speed penalty is the only consequence of hitting the cap, unless extra GB are purchased deliberately.
Does Unlimited Essentials require a contract?
Month-to-month, no contract, no early termination fee. No autopay discount. $35/mo is the actual rate. Cancel any time, port the number out freely.
Compare Unlimited Essentials with similar plans
FCC Disclosure
Broadband Facts
Google Fi · Google Fi Unlimited Essentials
Monthly Price
$30.00
Additional Charges & Terms
Speeds Provided with Plan
| Technology | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | 80-382 Mbps | 7-32 Mbps | 19-37 ms |
| 5G | 80-382 Mbps | 7-32 Mbps | 19-37 ms |
Typical ranges as reported by Google Fi. Real speeds vary.
Data & Features
Data included with monthly priceUnlimited
Data throttleAfter 30GB, 30 GB high-speed data per person per billing cycle; reduced to 256 Kbps after 30 GB
Mobile hotspotNot included
Video streaming qualitySD 480p
Disclosures