[Update 5/18: Xfinity Mobile just enabled support for 5G at no extra cost. So if you’ve got a 5G-enabled device and have Verizon 5G in your area, you can get faster speeds today!]
Here at Swappa, we’re all about saving money. After all, we made a name for ourselves by getting you the best deals on gently used phones through the Swappa Marketplace. But that’s not where the savings end. We’ve also been hard at work helping you save on your wireless bill.
Starting with our Phone Plan Comparison Tool and continuing with our roundup of the best cheap phone plans, we’ve gone to great lengths to help you save with prepaid wireless carriers. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at Xfinity Mobile — one of the most unique and innovative MVNO carriers.
Are you a current Xfinity home internet customer looking to save on your wireless bill? If so, read on to find out if Xfinity Mobile is right for you.
Jump to:
- What network does Xfinity Mobile use?
- Xfinity Mobile Plans
- Tips to Save Even More
- Compatible Phones
- Xfinity Mobile Reviews
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Started in 2017, Xfinity Mobile takes a very different approach to wireless service. Just like most of the smaller carriers we’ve been highlighting on the Swappa Blog recently, Xfinity Mobile is an MVNO carrier. We’ve already gone into great depth regarding what an MVNO carrier is and how you can save money with one, but the gist of it is that an MVNO means Mobile Virtual Network Operator. MVNO carriers work by leasing access to a larger cellular network in order to resell it to consumers, often at a considerable discount.
Earlier we mentioned that Xfinity Mobile does things a bit differently. For starters, in order to subscribe to Xfinity Mobile, you must be a current Xfinity home internet customer. Unfortunately, this means that not everyone is eligible to sign up for a new account — but Xfinity Mobile’s affiliation with their home internet service yields several key benefits.
This leads us to our second key difference when compared to traditional carriers: If you live in an area with heavy Comcast Xfinity home internet coverage, you’ve almost surely noticed Wi-Fi hotspots named Xfinity or xfinitywifi. These hotspots also function as part of the backbone for your service on Xfinity Mobile — and by doing so, they also allow you to get free data whenever you’re in range.
What network is Xfinity Mobile?
As we mentioned earlier, Xfinity Mobile is an MVNO carrier. This means that it uses a larger host network as part of its backbone. Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon as its host network, which gives Xfinity customers access to the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and Verizon’s new 5G network. However, this isn’t the only network that Xfinity Mobile users can access.
How does Xfinity cell phone service work?
In addition to cellular data through Verizon’s 4G and 5G networks, Xfinity Mobile customers can configure their phones to automatically connect to the vast network of millions of Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the nation for free data when in range.
So by using Xfinity Mobile, you get the best of both worlds: the reliability and dependability of the nation’s largest 4G network, while having even faster speeds and unlimited data while connected to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots.
Does Xfinity mobile have good cell phone service?
Since Xfinity Mobile operates on the Verizon network, you have access to the same great, nationwide coverage as traditional Verizon Wireless customers. In other words, you have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, which delivers amazing coverage almost anywhere in the country — even in rural areas. And if you’re in a supported region and have a 5G-enabled device, you also have access to Verizon’s new 5G network!
But remember how we mentioned that Xfinity Mobile also lets you connect to millions of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the nation? This not only serves as part of the backbone of the network, but it also lets you have access to unlimited high-speed data whenever you are in range.
Naturally, your mileage may vary when it comes to Xfinity Wi-Fi coverage. But it’s safe to say that you’ll likely encounter some degree of Xfinity Wi-Fi coverage if you’re anywhere in the East Coast, California, or Washington. If you’re in an area with healthy Comcast Xfinity home or business internet, this will more than likely come in handy. You can check availability in your area or find a hotspot near you by going to the Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot info page.
How much does Xfinity Mobile really cost?
Xfinity Mobile offers two basic types of plans to choose between: By the Gig and Unlimited. They work quite differently from each other, but you can mix-and-match between the two on up to 5 lines in order to maximize your savings.
In By the Gig plans, you preselect a set amount of data per month: 1GB, 3GB, or 10GB. This data pool is then shared between all the lines on your account. If you exceed your preset amount, you can purchase additional data or an HD Pass, depending on your plan. Since there are no additional activation or maintenance fees when adding extra lines, you can add up to 4 friends or family members to your account — as long as they don’t hog up all of your shared data.
The Xfinity Mobile $45/month Unlimited plan, on the other hand, works on a per-line basis. This plan gives you unlimited data, with the first 20GB at full speed. Once you exceed 20GB in a month, your data may be throttled to 1.5 Mbps, which is 2-3x the speed of throttled data on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. If you wish to have high-speed data beyond the first 20GB, you must purchase the HD Pass for an additional $20.
| By the Gig, 1GB | By the Gig, 3GB | By the Gig, 10GB | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $15/mo | $30/mo | $60/mo | $45/mo |
| Lines | up to 5 | up to 5 | up to 5 | 1 |
| Cellular Data | 1GB | 3GB | 10GB | Unlimited (20GB high-speed) |
| Additional Data | $15/GB | $15/GB | $15/GB | $20 for HD Pass |
| Mobile Hotspot | Unlimited* | Unlimited* | Unlimited* | Unlimited** |
| Xfinity Wi-Fi Data | Truly Unlimited | Truly Unlimited | Truly Unlimited | Truly Unlimited |
*Mobile hotspot support is unlimited on all By the Gig plans. However, the amount of data you use counts towards your overall monthly data pool.
**Mobile hotspots used to be restricted to 600kbps while on the Unlimited plan. As of the latest plan updates, mobile hotspots are no longer throttled, but data usage counts toward your monthly high-speed data.
Tips and tricks to save even more money on Xfinity Mobile
With compelling plans and great rates, you may already be smitten by what Xfinity Mobile has to offer. However, you can do even more to save money while on Xfinity Mobility.
Remember how we mentioned that Xfinity Mobile gives users unlimited access to the nationwide network of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots? And do you recall how we touched on how you can mix and match between By the Gig plans and Unlimited plans across your lines. We also talked about how you can have up to 5 lines on your account without any additional maintenance or monthly access fees. When used in combination, these features give users quite a few opportunities to save.
Let’s say you spend most of your time at home, school, or work — areas that typically have excellent Wi-Fi coverage. In fact, since you’re an Xfinity home internet subscriber, you’re more than likely living in an area with healthy Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot coverage. By selecting a 1GB By the Gig plan, you can pay just $15/month for 4G or 5G data and enjoy unlimited, free Wi-Fi whenever you’re in range.
OK, that’s nice, but what if you have additional phones and/or family and friends who want to join in on the action? No problem! Xfinity Mobile lets you have up to 5 lines, with no monthly access or maintenance fees. Each line’s data usage contributes to the overall plan’s data usage, but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, given how prevalent Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are.
This all sounds great, but what happens if you find yourself way over your monthly plan one month? Again, no problem! Xfinity Mobile even lets you change your plan from By the Gig to Unlimited in the middle of a month! In other words, you can save a ton of money with Xfinity Mobile thanks to its low rates, vast network of Wi-Fi hotspots, and flexibility to increase your plan if necessary.
Can I bring my Verizon phone to Xfinity Mobile?
Any phone that works on Verizon Wireless will work on Xfinity Mobile. This means that you can connect to Xfinity Mobile if you have a phone purchased directly from Verizon (or any of the MVNOs that use its network), or an unlocked phone that is compatible with the bands used by Verizon. If you are unsure about whether your particular phone is compatible, you can check by visiting Xfinity Mobile’s device compatibility page.
If you don’t have a compatible phone yet, or if you’re itching for an upgrade, now’s the perfect time to start browsing Swappa! Buying on Swappa means that you’ll not only find the best prices, but we’ll make sure that the buying process is as smooth as silk. Each listing is screened by our expert moderation team before it goes live in order to make sure you’re getting a fully functional, gently used phone that’s ready for activation on the network of your choosing.
So whether you’re looking to pick up a newish Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, snag a killer deal on a gently used Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, or you’re looking at one of the best cheap phones under $200, Swappa’s your not-so-secret method of scoring an incredible deal on your next phone.
Xfinity Mobile Reviews
So right about now, you’re probably wondering how good Xfinity Mobile is. Xfinity Mobile offers fantastic rates, as well as a unique feature set that sets it apart from the already crowded MVNO carrier space. There’s gotta be a catch, right?
Thankfully, members of the Swappa community have already started sharing their thoughts on Xfinity Mobile. So far, Xfinity Mobile has received quite a bit of praise from our community — with customers highlighting the plan’s competitive pricing and extensive coverage as key advantages over other MVNOs.
*****
So there you have it. From a fantastic pricing model to innovative perks like a nationwide network of free, unlimited Wi-Fi hotspots, there’s a lot to love about Xfinity Mobile. If you’re a current Xfinity home internet customer and you want to save money on your wireless bill, Xfinity Mobile could very well be for you.
Looking for customer service or tech support? You can also find Xfinity’s contact info here. While you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up a gently used phone on the Swappa Marketplace to bring over to your new phone plan. Click on the button below to compare the best Xfinity Mobile plans.
