Update 11/28: After the news leaked early yesterday, Google has made it official. Project Fi is now Google Fi and it's compatible with more devices (listed below).

Recently, Google has been paying more attention to Project Fi, their MVNO service. The app received a Material Theme makeover, a brand new "enhanced network" feature, and we saw evidence of a rebrand. Today, the big news has finally been unveiled (prematurely): Fi will work with devices from Samsung, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, and even Apple.

One of the things that has held Project Fi back is the device restrictions. It's mostly reserved for Google Pixel devices and a few random offerings from other OEMs. Now, you'll be able to bring phones from Samsung, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, and iPhones (in beta). However, there is a big asterisk.

These devices may not get the "full Google Fi experience." That means they won't be able to use the network switching feature. Fi utilizes Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular, switching you between them depending on connection quality. It has been possible to use unsupported devices on Fi in the past, but they can only use T-Mobile. The Fi SIM card also had to be set up on a supported device first.

This news means you will be able to use Project Fi on more devices officially, but still without the full functionality. That's still a nice option for those in good coverage areas who want to take advantage of Fi's plan options. The only way to get all the Fi features is to use a supported device, which can be purchased from the Fi website.

If you're unfamiliar with Project Fi, it relies on WiFi from your home and in public to cut down on data usage. You only pay for the data you actually use and the cost is capped at $80 per month. There are no overage fees or carry-over data. For most people, it ends up being much cheaper than traditional carriers.

Source: Droid-Life

Update: Official

Google has officially announced the Google Fi rebrand and the expanded list of supported devices. We have listed the devices below. To celebrate the news, Google is offering some great special offers. Today only, if you buy a phone from Google Fi, they will match the price with an equal value of travel gift cards. These cards can be used with Delta, Southwest, Airbnb, and hotels.com. You can also get $200 of Fi service credit if you sign up today. If you bought a new device from Fi during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, Fi recommends you "reach out to support today and ask if you can get price protection."

Android phones need to be running Android 7.0 Nougat or later and have LTE Band 2 and 4 support to use Fi. As explained above, phones that aren't designed for Fi can't do network switching and they will not have smoother transitions between WiFi and cellular, or spam blocking. VoLTE is only supported on devices certified for T-Mobile VoLTE. Wi-Fi calling/texting/visual voicemail support depends on your phone. "If you have access to the Google Dialer and Carrier services, you may have Visual Voicemail and WiFi calling. If you have Android Messages, you may be able to send SMS via WiFi. These items are not guaranteed to work on devices not Made for Fi.

  • Apple: iPhone 5S, 6, SE, or newer
  • Google: Pixel/Pixel XL, Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P
  • Huawei: Mate 10 Pro, Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro, Mate 20 X, P20, P20 Lite, P20 Pro
  • LG: V40, G7, V35, V30S, V30, V20, G6, Stylo 4, Stylo 3, X Venture, X Charge, K20 Plus, Aristo 2, Aristo 2 Plus, G7 One, X Power, K30
  • Motorola: Moto X4 (Android One and non-Android One), G6, G6 Play, Z2 Force, Z2 Play, Z, G5S Plus, G5 Plus, G4, E5 Plus, E5 Play, E4, One, One Power, Z3, Z3 Play, G6 Plus, G5S, G5, E5, E4 Plus
  • Samsung: Note 9, Note 8, S9+, S9, S8+, S8, S8 Active, S7, S7 Edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, S6 Active, J7 (2018), J7 (2017), J3 (2018), J3 (2017), A6
  • Essential: PH-1
  • HMD Global/Nokia: 7.1, 8 Sirocco
  • OnePlus: 3, 3T, 5, 5T, 6
  • Xiaomi: Mi A2