Google Fi Wireless started out as an experiment in the Google labs, as Project Fi and, later, Google Fi. It’s an MVNO that had one unique selling point; it could switch between multiple carrier networks depending on the strength of coverage where you were. Then some carrier consolidation later, and it only runs on T-Mobile’s network in the U.S.

In the early days of Google Fi Wireless, the only phones that worked with it came from Google’s own Pixel line. Now the carrier has opened up the compatibility to a selection of the best Android phones from Samsung and Motorola. Or, you can get a SIM card and use it in any of the best phones on the market, as I’m doing with an iPhone 11 Pro. We recommend sticking to “Designed for Fi” handsets, though, as they have a few perks that make the most of the cellular network, like the W+ network, which uses trusted Wi-Fi networks to improve data connections in congested areas. Here are my favorite Google Fi Wireless handsets.

Best Google Fi Wireless phones in 2023

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overall

For those who want the best all-rounder in the Android space

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1. Right now you can get one from $600 from Fi, a 50% savings.

Pros
  • Smooth, fast performance
  • Great battery life
Cons
  • Expensive price tag
  • Charging speeds aren't up to par with the price

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has been out for a while now, but it remains the top flagship in the Android space. It's perfect for those who are looking for an all-rounder that doesn't skimp on any essentials while offering some thoughtful extras. One of the best things about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is its massive 6.8-inch 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED screen. It's one of the best displays you'll ever see on a smartphone, and everything looks fluid and smooth. It's an impressive panel for media consumption, and the S Pen makes it better by adding the ability to take notes, sketch, and more.

Another highlight of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its new 200MP camera. It's paired with two 10MP sensors with a 10x and 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide sensor to complete the rear camera package. Samsung also swapped out the 16MP selfie shooter with a 12MP sensor with Dual Pixel technology to offer improvements for depth measurement in portrait shots and low-light performance. There's a lot to like about the Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera, and I am not surprised to see it on top of our list of the best camera phones in 2023.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra also has upgraded internals to compete with the current crop of flagships on the market. It's powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy, and it had no issues keeping up with our tests during its review. The phone is also packed with impressive fast LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.0 storage. Google Fi Wireless is carrying the Galaxy S23 Ultra in the U.S., and you can get up to $600 back after 24 monthly bill credits.

Google-Pixel-7-Pro-renders-on-white-background-qjwefbqwkejf-3 Background Removed
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best Google phone

The best Google phone designed for Fi network.

The Pixel 7 Pro is a fantastic Google phone that looks good and performs even better. Google's 2nd Tensor chip powers it and has a great set of cameras, as usual. It's a good option to consider if you're looking to buy a reliable Google Phone for the Fi network. You can save $350 by activating one on Fi.

Pros
  • Unique design and premium build
  • Reliable performance with Tensor G2
Cons
  • Slow charging speeds

The Google Pixel 7 Pro has replaced the previous-gen Pixel 6 Pro to become one of the top picks in this collection. It retains everything that's good about the Pixel 6 Pro while bringing some noteworthy improvements of its own to offer a solid package overall. It's not the best-performing smartphone out there, but it makes up for it with its smart features, an impressive set of cameras, and more.

The Pixel 7 Pro, as you can see, looks a lot like its predecessor. There are some subtle differences between the two, but the overall fit-and-finish of the phone remains largely the same. It has the same iconic camera visor on the back, an all-glass design, and rounded sides on the display. The phone is available to purchase in three fun colorways.

The Pixel 7 Pro is powered by Google's second-generation Tensor chip called Tensor G2. It's the successor to last year's Tensor chipset that's powering the Pixel 6 Pro. Our detailed post highlighting the differences between Tensor G1 and Tensor G2 has all the details for you, so be sure to check it out while you're here. But the only thing you need to know is that Google appears to have listened to all the feedback and improved the original Tensor chip by making necessary adjustments.

The new Pixel phones also have better optics. You may not see a significant difference coming from the Pixel 6 Pro, but there's plenty to like about the shots captured using the new Pixel 7 Pro. All things considered, the Pixel 7 Pro is a great smartphone overall. It rights pretty much all the wrongs of the Google Pixel 6 series to deliver a solid package overall. You can also save $350 on the Pixel 7 Pro when you activate it on an existing Google Fi line.

Sea Pixel 7a on transparent background
Google Pixel 7a
Best value pick

The best $500 Android phone you can buy right now

Google's latest mid-ranger brings several improvements over last year's model, making it a great option for the budget conscious. The Pixel 7a packs the flagship Tensor G2 chip, flagship-tier cameras, an improved 90Hz display, more RAM, better durability, and wireless charging support.

Pros
  • Very similar to the Pixel 7 in terms of looks and performance
  • Best set of cameras in the mid-range space.
  • Affordable price tag
Cons
  • Slow charging speed

If you only have $500 to spend on an Android phone, then consider checking out Google's Pixel 7a. This particular handset represents a significant over its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, and is easily among the best phones in the U.S. right now. The best thing about this Pixel 7a is that it shares a lot of similarities with its more expensive siblings. It uses the same Tensor G2 chipset that powers the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, and it also has a very similar design, making it look better and more premium than a lot of other phones in this space.

The Pixel 7a, in case you're wondering, is just as reliable as the other two Pixel phones on the market when it comes to the cameras. This handset features a dual-camera setup which includes a 64MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide sensor. I suggest you check out my colleague Ben's Pixel 7a review to see the photo and video samples. Some other noteworthy features of the Google Pixel 7a include a 6.1-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, a 4,385mAh battery with support for 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging, an IP678 rating for dust and water resistance, and more.

Overall, the Pixel 7a is very similar to the regular Pixel 7, and it's a great option for those who want one of the best cheap Android phones without spending top dollar on a flagship. Google Fi Wireless is also offering $500 in 24 bill credits, meaning you can have one for free by signing up for a 24-month contract with Google Fi Wireless.

Samsung_Galaxy_A14_5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Best budget phone

An overachieving budget phone for $200

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an affordable smartphone with a beautiful display, plenty of power, and a compact design. You can, technically, grab this phone for free from Google Fi Wireless by signing up for a 24-month contract.

Pros
  • Reliable day-to-day performance
  • A good 90Hz display
  • Great battery life
Cons
  • Cameras are decent at best
  • The build quality could've been better

If you don't want to spend too much money and are only looking for a simple and reliable phone for everyday use, then check out Samsung's Galaxy A14 5G. It's not winning awards for its performance or looks, but it's a simple budget phone offering a no-frills experience for the price. XDA's Chris Wedel called it "an overachieving budget phone" in his Galaxy A14 5G review, highlighting some of its pros over other phones in the budget segment.

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ panel with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate. It's powered by Samsung's in-house Exynos 1330 chipset for reliable day-to-day performance and has other thoughtful extras, including support for microSD cards up to 1TB, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 5,000mAh battery, and more.

The Galaxy A14 5G is not without its flaws, though. Its triple-camera setup, which includes a 50MP main sensor along with two 2MP sensors for macro and depth, is just decent at best. It also lacks an IP rating and tops out at 15W wired charging speeds. But none of those are deal-breakers, in my opinion, especially when you consider its $200 asking price. Google Fi Wireless will also let you have one for free, provided you sign up for a 2-year contract.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 render
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best foldable phone

The best foldable phone for power users

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 keeps Samsung at the top of the foldable market for another year, with a redesigned hinge and minor design changes. You can get $500 back as bill credits from Fi, making it under $1300.

Pros
  • A beautiful set of displays
  • More durable build compared to predecessor
Cons
  • Expensive price tag
  • The crease is still visible

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the most iterative update to the Fold line yet, but it’s still probably the best foldable phone on the market. The biggest change is the newly designed hinge, which uses a teardrop design to allow the Fold 5 to be flat and thinner when folded. That also reduces the appearance of the crease, but it doesn’t remove it entirely (but neither does any other foldable).

The Z Fold 5 looks very similar to the Fold 4, mainly because there are only a few fractions of a millimeter difference in all directions. The camera bump has been moved slightly but has the same camera sensors as the previous device, so it has a very similar performance. That might be okay, though, as the 50MP f/1.9 sensor is used on the flagship Galaxy S23 as well, the 12MP ultrawide is “very good,” and the telephoto is welcome to round out the main camera array.

Internally, the processor has been upgraded to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip which is optimized for Samsung devices. It’s a slightly faster version of the normal Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is used in many other flagships in 2023.

Google Fi Wireless is making it more affordable, too, with $500 back over 24 monthly bill credits. That makes the Z Fold 5 on par with normal flagship pricing, even without trading in a phone.

Porcelain Google Pixel Fold on transparent background.
Google Pixel Fold
Best Google foldable phone

The best foldable phone for Google fans

The Pixel Fold is Google's first foray into foldables, and it gets most things right. It has the camera chops from the other Pixel models, a wider aspect ratio than Samsung's offering, and is thin and compact. You can get up to $800 back with trade-in, or $500 without a trade-in.

Pros
  • Wider display is more usable when folded
  • Pixel camera quality
Cons
  • Expensive price tag
  • Battery life could be better

Google Fi always gets new Pixel devices at launch, and it was no different for the first foldable, the Pixel Fold. One of the most anticipated hardware launches of recent memory, the foldable pulled off a surprisingly issue-free first attempt. Google did a few things differently to the reigning champions of the market, and it paid off.

The first thing is that the Pixel Fold is wider and more compact than the Z Fold 5. This makes it easier to use when folded as it is closer to a traditional phone’s dimensions, and the teardrop hinge makes it thinner than the Z Fold 4 from last year by a tenth of an inch.

That adds up to a foldable that’s more usable in daily life, although the addition of a large 4,821mAh battery makes it one of the heaviest phones around at 283g. Even with that large battery, the Tensor G2 drains the battery life in around 12--18 hours of use, based on our testing. That's maybe a full day for some people's use profiles, but it could be better.

Both the cover screen and the inner display use OLED panels with up to 120Hz refresh rate. On the outside, it’s an FHD+ 5.8-inch panel with 1,200 nits of brightness for HDR and up to 1,550 for peak brightness. The main screen is a 7.6-inch panel with a 2208x1840 resolution and is slightly less bright, rated at 1,000 nits for HDR and 1,450 nits peak brightness. That’s not enough of a difference to really notice in daily use, though. The cameras are what you would expect from a Pixel handset, with high-specification sensors backed up by Google’s computational photography knowledge. The result is the best camera system in any foldable, and this is the handset for foldable fans who don’t want to compromise on image quality.

Motorola Razr+
Motorola Razr+ (2023)
Best compact foldable

Probably the best flip Moto has ever made

The Moto Razr+ is a slightly more premium version of the regular Moto Razr, with a relatively bigger external display, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and more. It's currently the best clamshell foldable you can buy, and you can get up to $700 when trading-in, or $400 without, from Google Fi.

Pros
  • A large outer screen that lets you do more without unfolding
  • A bright and vibrant 165Hz folding screen
  • Sleek and compact design
Cons
  • The battery life is just decent at best

The Moto Razr+ is one of the newest foldable phones to enter the market. This one, however, deserves a spot in this collection because it's readily available to purchase in the U.S., unlike the other options. The Razr+ is a clamshell-style foldable, meaning it's a sleek and compact foldable that unfolds into a regular-sized smartphone. It sports a 3.6-inch outer screen that lets you use pretty much any app without actually unfolding to reach the relatively bigger 6.9-inch folding panel. They're both bright and vibrant OLED panels with support for high-refresh rates.

The Razr+ also packs some powerful internals to deliver a good day-to-day experience. It's powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It packs a decently sized 3,800mAh battery which should be enough to keep the lights on for at least a day without any issues. It supports both wired and wireless charging, and it also carries an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Razr+ was easily the best clamshell foldable in the U.S. until the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was released. It falls to second place in that case, as the cameras in the Z Flip 4 are overall better, and the cover screens are fairly comparable. It's still a great foldable, and Moto flip phone fans will love this device.

New Project-17
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Best lifestyle phone

If you love flip phones, this is the one for you

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 increases the utility of the cover screen by making over twice as big and allowing other apps to access it for the first time. It's the best lifestyle phone on the market right now, and one of the best foldables.

Pros
  • Bigger cover screen has more utility
  • Can run some third-party apps on the cover screen
Cons
  • Expensive price tag
  • Very iterative update
  • No more Bespoke Edition

Fi also carries the latest flip phone from Samsung, the Galaxy Z Flip 5. This generation brings a cover screen that is over twice the size of the one on the Flip 4, with more utility with a selection of third-party apps that work on it. That change alone is worth buying the new foldable for, and it’s not the only thing that was changed.

Like the bigger Z Fold 5, the Z Flip 5 gets a new teardrop-style hinge. This means the two halves of the screen are flat to each other when the device is folded, and it takes up less space in your pocket as it can be thinner. It comes in Mint, Lavender, Cream, and Graphite this year, but the lack of Bespoke Editions is a strange choice. With this being a lifestyle phone, I’m not sure why Samsung would remove the customization options. Their explanation of the larger cover screen, meaning only one-half of the back gets color, falls a little flat.

The cameras on the Z Flip 5 are exactly the same as the dual 12MP sensors that were used on the Z Flip 4. They’re functional, and nobody is really going to buy this phone for the cameras, but I expected an improvement over the last gen. That said, they’re fine, and Flex Mode turns the phone into a mini video camera with its own tripod, which is handy.

What's also handy is the deal Fi Wireless is running, with up to $1,000 back with eligible trade-in. Yes, that means the Z Flip 5 could be free, which is a very good thing indeed. Even without trading in, you can get $700 back in 24 monthly bill credits, making this foldable cheaper than most midrange Android handsets.

Best Google Fi phones in 2023: Final say

Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra is currently the best phone you can buy from Google Fi Wireless. Samsung left no stone unturned to make it one of the most powerful and feature-packed phones in 2023. It also comes with some notable improvements compared to the outgoing model. There are plenty of things to like about the Galaxy S23 Ultra, including its 200MP camera, the included S Pen, a beautiful high-refresh-rate panel, and more. Not a lot of phones out there deliver a similar package with powerful internals like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, so be sure to put it on top of your list of phones to check out.

For the best compatibility with Google Fi Wireless, take a look at one of the Pixel series, like the Pixel 7 Pro. This traditional candy bar smartphone has one of the best camera arrays around, and the Tensor G2 chip is no slouch. To really save some money, maybe with the basic Fi package, look at the Pixel 7a, or the Samsung A14 5G, both of which are free after 24 monthly bill credits.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overall

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.