This Xfinity Mobile review has been updated for 2022. Long-time readers may be quite surprised to find this Xfinity Mobile Review on this site. Given my extensive collection of diatribes against Xfinity (Comcast) in recent years, I’m as surprised as you are.
Yet – here we are:
- I’ve previously and extensively reviewed the cheapest data plans, cheapest prepaid plans, and cheapest mobile WiFi hotspot plans on the market, and I’ve come to the conclusion that, at this moment, Xfinity Mobile may be one of the most compelling budget offerings of them all – and can potentially save you some serious money.
- Despite my prior grievances with Xfinity Mobile’s parent company, Comcast, I have been an actual Xfinity Mobile user – we have tested Xfinity Mobile on one of our mobile devices for many months.
- Xfinity is not holding me hostage. Nor did they compensate me to write this review.
So let’s jump right in. Here’s what you’ll find in this Xfinity Mobile review:
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Xfinity Mobile is a newer mobile service from ISP/Cable TV conglomerate, Comcast Xfinity. It somewhat quietly launched to customers in May of 2017, and went live in all Xfinity residential markets in August of that year.
In addition to 5G and nation-wide 4G LTE coverage (on Verizon’s network), Xfinity Mobile also boasts 19 million+ WiFi hotspots, and flexible low-cost plans.
Can I Get Xfinity Mobile? Xfinity Mobile Availability Map
In order to become an Xfinity Mobile customer, you must first be a residential Xfinity Internet service customer, residing within Xfinity’s market map. If you’re unsure about Xfinity availability, you can check if Xfinity internet service is available in your area here. If it is, and you’re an Internet service customer, you can get Xfinity Mobile.
What Network Does Xfinity Mobile Use?
Xfinity Mobile is a “mobile virtual network operator”, or MVNO. As an MVNO, Xfinity Mobile doesn’t own its own wireless spectrum, it buys wholesale priced access from one of the 3 big wireless spectrum owners in the United States. Specifically, Xfinity Mobile runs on Verizon’s Network. Making a call? You’re calling on Verizon’s network. Using mobile data? Verizon’s network. With Xfinity Mobile, you are getting all of the touted benefits of Verizon’s network (at a fraction of Verizon’s prices).
Xfinity Mobile Coverage Map
Xfinity Mobile, by virtue of running on Verizon’s Network, has access to 5G in available locations and the largest 4G LTE network in the US. Verizon touts that it covers 327 million people, 99% of the country’s population, and more square miles than any other network. Here is an interactive Verizon coverage map so you can visualize the Xfinity Mobile coverage map. If you’d like to specifically check your zip code for Xfinity Mobile coverage, you can do so here.
Xfinity WiFi Hotspot Map
In addition to offering up Verizon’s Network for prices that are much cheaper than Verizon (more on that in a bit), Xfinity Mobile sets itself apart from the competition in that you can tap in to over 19 million WiFi hotspots. Xfinity makes this possible through using modems it leases to customers as WiFi hotspots. Clever.
Tapping into hotspots while out to a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, hotel, etc. can allow you to keep your mobile data usage to a minimum (if you’re able to find a hotspot to connect to). Here is an Xfinity WiFi hotspot map or you can use the Xfinity WiFi hotspot app (iPhone, Android), which can be used offline.
Xfinity Mobile Plans & Prices
Xfinity Mobile plan costs are low and flexible. Certainly lower than any of the big 3 carriers, but lower than even most of the cheapest of bare-bones MVNOs (who often have close to zero customer service).
For starters, everyone gets:
- Unlimited nationwide talk and text, at no added charge
- 5G speeds (where available on Verizon’s network) and 4G LTE data elsewhere
- Free access to the 19 million+ WiFi hotspots
Additionally, Xfinity Mobile offers international roaming coverage (detailed below).
Beyond talk, text, & WiFi – if needed, you have a choice of data plan options:
- “By the Gig” data (3 data options & data can be shared on up to 10 lines):
- 1 GB: $15/month
- 3 GB: $30/month
- 10 GB: $60/month
- Unlimited data:
- 1 line: $45/month
- 2 lines: $80/month ($40/month per line)
- 3 lines: $100/month ($33.33/month per line)
- 4 lines: $120/month ($30/month per line)
- 5 lines: $140/month ($28/month per line)
- 6 lines: $160/month ($26.66/month per line)
- 7 lines: $180/month ($25.71/month per line)
- 8 lines: $200/month ($25/month per line)
- 9 lines: $220/month ($24.44/month per line)
- 10 lines: $240/month ($24/month per line)
On the unlimited plan, after 20 GB of monthly data use, speeds are reduced to a maximum of 1.5 Mbps download/750 kbps upload, determined and applied on a per line basis. Video streams up to 480p, standard-definition quality. Xfinity Mobile does not offer rollover data with their plans.
You can switch from “by the gig” to an “unlimited” plan within the same month or from “unlimited” to “by the gig” at the start of the next billing cycle. You can find lower price per GB data plans out there, but you typically have to pay for talk and text with those plans, which would wipe out the benefit.
The Xfinity Mobile app (Android here, iPhone here) shows you where your data usage is each month, in order to keep your data usage in check. Example screenshot from my account below:
How Does Xfinity Mobile’s Prices Compare to Verizon?
Compared to Xfinity Mobile, Verizon offers the following prices for the same network:
Verizon Monthly Prepaid:
- 5 GB: $40/month
- 25 GB: $60/month
Verizon Unlimited Monthly Plans:
- 1 line: $70/line per month
- 2 lines: $120 ($60/line per month)
- 3 lines: $135 ($45/line per month)
- 4 lines: $140 ($40/line per month)
What are Xfinity Mobile’s International Rates?
Xfinity Mobile has international rate plan options for those traveling abroad.
You can “Add Global Travel Pass” to any line and pay a flat rate for calls, texts, and data for $10/day per line in 175+ covered countries, or $5/day per line in Mexico and Canada only. GTP includes 512 MB of LTE data per pass per day, then data is available at 2G speeds. “Pay as you go” is also available.
Data used counts towards both By the Gig or Unlimited data options.
Does Xfinity Mobile Have Contracts?
No. There are no contracts with Xfinity Mobile. You can leave at any time, if you’re not happy, without penalty or early termination fee. However, you may have to pay off the remaining balance on your phone and plans (which seems fair).
Can you Use Xfinity Mobile as a Personal Hotspot?
Yes – you can use Xfinity Mobile data to create a personal WiFi hotspot. According to Xfinity Mobile:
Your Xfinity Mobile phone is more than just a phone. It’s also a personal hotspot, which can be super convenient when you need to connect a computer to the internet and you don’t have WiFi. Your phone enables you to get online via WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB cable — on your laptop, tablet, or any other device — by using your cellular data to create an internet connection.
How your data option affects personal hotspots
If you have the Unlimited data option, speeds on any connected device will not exceed 600 Kbps. At that speed, you’ll be able to perform common tasks such as email, instant messaging, and basic web browsing. However, you’ll likely experience buffering when streaming audio and/or video on your connected devices.
If you prefer 4G LTE for your hotspot-powered devices, go for By the Gig. Personal hotspot speeds are not automatically limited with this data option, but you can still use Data Saver to dial down your data speed and help manage your costs.
There are no additional fees for using your phone as a hotspot, and you can do it whether you have By the Gig or Unlimited. Data used as a mobile hotspot will count toward your data charges for the billing cycle. Remember, your laptop may consume more data than your phone would for similar activities.
If you Cancel Xfinity Internet Service, Can you Keep Using Xfinity Mobile?
Yes, you can keep using Xfinity Mobile if you cancel Xfinity Internet. A $25 per line monthly charge applies if at least one of the following post-pay subscriptions are not maintained on the account: Xfinity TV, Internet, or Voice service.
Xfinity Mobile Phones
Xfinity Mobile has a solid offering of mobile devices (mostly on the higher end and a few budget offerings), including both both iOS and Android OS devices. You can either buy the phone outright or spread out the cost of the phone over 24 months (at 0% APR).
Currently, Xfinity Mobile offers devices from the following manufacturers:
- Apple
- Motorola
- Samsung
Xfinity Mobile BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
You can now bring your own device (BYOD) when you switch to Xfinity Mobile (iPhone 6 and later for iPhones, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy S8 or later for Android). You can check Xfinity Mobile device compatibility here.
If you bring your own device, there are no added fees, and you can get a free SIM card. And yes, you can still access the WiFi hotspots. Xfinity even offers promotions for BYOD occasionally (e.g. a $100 prepaid card when you BYOD).
The Elephant in the Room with Xfinity
I alluded to this earlier, but any Xfinity Mobile review on my behalf would not be complete without addressing the elephant in the room: my previous beefs with Xfinity customer service and pricing. I’ve written many articles over the years on topics such as how to get rid of your Xfinity modem rental fee, how to replace an Xfinity modem with your own, how to negotiate with Xfinity, how to cut your Xfinity bill, and so on. Xfinity is a publicly traded company – and as such, their goal has been to maximize profit through their fees, pricing, and contracts.
I do see the broader company making serious efforts to improve its customer service and experience. For example:
- With Cable/Internet pricing, they have started offering existing customers extended contracts at prices previously only accessible to new customers (having to quibble over pricing and continual increases has long been a complaint of mine and others).
- Their customer service reps do seem much more accommodating in recent years, which is a reflection of company policy.
- Their revamped Xfinity stores are much closer to an Apple store than the DMV these days (I recently visited one and was shocked).
Xfinity Mobile was recently rated #1 in customer satisfaction compared to all measured full service providers in the 2021 American Customer Satisfaction Index® (ACSI) survey of customers rating their own wireless service provider’s performance.
I looked long and hard for gotchas with Xfinity Mobile. I wouldn’t say these are “gotchas”, but on the “unlimited plan”, the following applies, which is fairly common practice for unlimited plans these days:
- after 20 GB of monthly data use, speeds are reduced to a maximum of 1.5 Mbps download/750 kbps upload, determined and applied on a per line basis
- Video streams up to 480p, standard-definition quality. HD streaming is available on Xfinity Wifi.
- On any connected device, mobile hotspot speeds will not exceed 600 kbps.
- When they added 5G service, they increased their lowest price from $12 to $15, but this was likely the result of a new contract with Verizon.
Aside from that, the pricing is fair, honest, and cheap. There is flexibility to switch plans. You can get 0% APR financing on phones if you can’t afford to buy outright (at the same total price). And you can BYOD without added fees.
I’ll be the first to let you know if any of this changes, but they’ve had a sound track record for over 4 years now.
Xfinity Mobile Promos and Discounts
Xfinity Mobile frequently runs promos and discounts. You can find a list of Xfinity Mobile promotions and discounts here.
They have been offering rotation promotions in the form of Prepaid Visa cards on a number of their devices. For example,
- $400 card on any 5G iPhone
- $100 if you bring your own device
- A free Motorola Ace 5G
Final Thoughts on My Review of Xfinity Mobile
If you’re already an Xfinity Internet customer, Xfinity Mobile is a great deal. I really appreciate:
- the free unlimited nationwide talk & text on Verizon’s network
- 5G access and strong internet performance
- no line fees (unless you are no longer an Xfinity internet customer)
- the ability to share data, with up to 10 lines on “by the gig” plans
- the option of multiple data plans, and flexibility to switch
- the ability to bring your own device (BYOD)
- the extensive WiFi hotspot network to help keep data costs low
- clear, fair, and transparent pricing
- no contracts
If interested, you can get a discount on an Xfinity Mobile phone or bring over your own device here.
Xfinity Mobile Review
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Pricing
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Features
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Phone Selection
Review Summary:
Xfinity Mobile is a very strong prepaid mobile offering for Xfinity internet customers. They use Verizon’s strong network, but charge less than Verizon, and have flexible pricing options and month-to-month switching capabilities. There are no contracts, and no line fees (unless you drop internet service). While the phone offering was a little weak in the beginning, it has improved tremendously, and now includes Android, iPhone, and BYOD options.
I’m also impressed with the new phone and Visa debit card offers that Xfinity offers for new lines. And if you spread it across multiple months, there is a 0% APR.
Whether you want an unlimited plan, or you want a bare bones unlimited talk/text/minimal data plan ($15/talk/text/1 GB), Xfinity Mobile’s pricing is about as good as it gets.
Check out the latest Xfinity Mobile offers here.
I ‘m very happy with my unlimited plan from them and used my own phone (Moto G5 Plus) way before the new BYOD option offered.
The fact that I use my hotspot for work/school to tether was the main selling point for me.
I’ve also heard Verizon would give their post paid customers priority over prepaid/MVNO. Did you notice issues when using data? I have Verizon now and use less than 2GB a month. I have Xfinity as my internet provider. Xfinity mobile seems like a no-brainer for me but the availability of reliable data is sticking is worrying me nonetheless. Maybe it’s a security blanket. I’ve also been w/Verizon for 20+ years. If Xfinity eventually let me BYOD, I’d be saving $70 a month.
I had Verizon prepaid prior to Xfinity and haven’t noticed any difference in speed or connection quality. I was worried about reliability too and haven’t had an issue with either service, even on vacations in other corners of the US. $70 a month?! Switch! Switch now!! The $70 a month will buy you a new Xfinity compatible phone fast! Plus, they have been running $200 rebates for buying a new phone. First it was on Galaxy phones, then it was on iPhones. They also had a $500 new customer rebate a couple months ago. That’s the primary reason I switched!
I’m told by a Comcast employee acquaintance that new and BYOD phones are “tweaked” to automatically login to XFinity wifi locations whenever they are present, to lower the use of Verizon’s network. Can anyone confirm they’re phone was modified ?
No “tweaking” or modifications done. I set up my own phone (I purchased a new phone through Xfinity Mobile). We brought my boyfriend’s phone to the Xfinity store in our town and all they did was insert a SIM card into this phone and activate it.
I had several problems with my network. I rarely leave the house so i keep my data off and use wifi. I had my phone stolen lg charge so i bought another. I had to teset some passwords etc. In doing that i noticed my phones 4g was never lit and i barely have a bar of coverage. The mode was set to global as well as saying xfinity network. It also by default used the goohle storage of contacts to make “wifi calls” which not only do i just not like because of limited options but also caused conflicts between receiving phone calls and text. Now my phone is completely useless most of the time i have to leave wifi calling on and im still have major network issues even after resetting network to use lte etc.while i love the prices and flexability of choosing the type of plan i want, its useless if im not getting phone calls/text 90 % of time.also xfinity phone support is horrible with troubleshooting or fixing issues.while they are very polite and accomadating they are unable to help with anything beyond the skill level of typing it in google yourself. Which is pretty bad. Also since there is a severe lack of information available pertaining to mostly all of xfinity related issues. Even after all this im still impressed with this overall. Being that low cost less fuss is a prioty for me.
G.E. question: So X-M big sell is their millions hotspots… what’s your experience of switching between cellular and hotspot, seamless?
WIFI-Calling enabled? That’s the main reason am looking to replace my current MVNO.
I do believe X-M is the first MVNO with a metered plan ($15/1GB) to offer International roaming, the bunch of MVNOs either don’t offer it at all, or you have to buy their more expensive plans, what a pain-in-the-u-know-what for those of us who do occasional international travel and have to switch SIM when we get there. Same goes for International text, my current Tracfone just tells me NO. Nobody likes to hear no, am willing to pay them, but they are sooooo rigid these other MNVO. They all think we do pre-paid because we got no credit and therefore don’t know anybody overseas? What a bunch of dinosaurs.
Comcast getting nicer? well… I did notice they used to be adamant at sell bundles, I have tried to get Internet-only from them and they asked an arm-and-leg for a single service, UNTIL the beginning of this year and I jumped on it. OK keep it up Comcast, there maybe hope for you yet.
@ Jon Smith – I did BYOD with an iPhone. WiFi calling is indeed enabled. The hotspot/cellular handoffs are totally seamless. You can begin a call on WiFi and it will transfer to cellular once you move out of WiFi range or vice versa (this is only in areas with LTE service, but that’s pretty much everywhere for me). It seamlessly switches between Xfinity WiFi hotspots while out and about. It’s actually almost luxurious going to Starbucks, Panera, etc. and not having to sign in to use WiFi. It just works. Call quality, reception, and data speeds are exactly the same as they were when I was a post-paid Verizon customer.
I was never a huge fan of Comcast, but I had also never had any major problems with them, either. But I’ll say the experience I’ve had with XM has been world-class. They ported in my four lines from Verizon in just a few minutes in the Xfinity store (which, yes, looks a lot like an Apple store). The rep I dealt with was knowledgeable and efficient. I’ve had the service for a few months now and there have been no hiccups. It seemed too good to be true, but so far, so good.
I have a question about the in-call hand-off between Xfinity Wifi and and Verizon’s VoLTE / Circuit Switch networks. Are you sure that the hand-off goes both ways; Both hand-in and hand-out? Typically, carriers will do one but not both. And they usually do hand-out from the Wifi network to the cellular carrier network. Why? Because the call quality is difficult to control when you’re constantly jumping between networks. Imagine driving down a city street and at every stop light you pick up a Wifi network and your phone call transitions from cellular to wifi. Then when the light goes green and you go, it has to jump back to the macro network. Say goodbye to call continuity and quality. So are you sure that the service does both?
I was interested in finding out more about xm. After reading your article and the comments I’m still unsure. Mainly my worry is as you mentioned, dealing with Comcast/Xfinity is a royal pain. But so is Sprint and I’ve been with them for over 10 years.
My question that I didn’t see anyone bring up is the fact that there is no contract. So if there is no contract, aren’t we subject to any price changes? Is there something that shows our price will not go up from the initial price we signed up with? ($12gb/$45unl)
To my point with some of the comments about how they are not clear with what they have and don’t.
I’ve been using assorted prepaid services for years and they usually leave you grandfathered into your plan unless you change it yourself. For example, when I had Verizon Prepaid, they came out with new data packages every few months but it never affected my plan, until I read into one plan and realized it was a better deal so I asked them to switch my plan over to that. I’ve never had a price go up on my years of prepaid services (also had TMobile and Project Fi) but the nice thing is if it ever does, you can immediately jump ship to another company since you’re not locked into a contract.
This is all very interesting. I called Verizon today to let them know that I was considering going to Xfinity Mobile. Wow! What a difference! I have been working Verizon for years trying to get them to lower my rates. They want their $100 no matter what! I travel all over the US and abroad for work. Hands-down Verizon is the best network. I can’t afford not to have coverage. So when I saw that Comcast became an MVNO for Verizon, I was very excited. When I called Verizon and qouted the rates I got from Xfinity mobile, my plan went from $150 for my wife and I down to $96.40. Boom! DirecTV negotiates. Xfinity negotiates. XM Radio negotiates. Verizon never negotiates…until now! Thanks Xfinity Mobile!
dont hold your breath for the $200 prepaid visa card I have been waiting and waiting Get a different story everytime I call Was to have been last week Now they say another 4-6 weeks! What a joke
I got mine last week, be patient.
How long had you been waiting?
I was told 14-16 weeks and I think it fell in the range.
Thanks I’ve been told so many different things
Yeah – took about 3 months for mine to arrive too. Just be patient.
What about security if you use an Xfinity hotspot? Are they the same hotspots I can use now, since I’m already a Comcast customer for internet? One other thing. Any recommendations for a good Anti-virus on Android phones?
It’s been since February 1st
This is exactly the conversation I was hoping to find in considering switching from Verizon to xfinity. My remaining questions are: what is their int’l calling plan? I can pretty much use unlimited data/calls with Verizon for $10/day. And also, do they have an app where you can limit the data used by your kids? The incentives right now are huge – $150/line (which is $600 for us) plus $300 for buying a new iPhone with them (which we need). I’m wanting this to work but concerned about the spam issue and some of the other concerns raised here. Thanks for any replies.
I had a talk with Xfinity in regards to their Xfinity mobile. I asked them if they could match or beat the plan I currently have? I have the T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+
2 lines $70/month plan, which includes all taxes and fees. Guess what? Xfinity said no. I told them to bad because you just lost a potential customer.
I’ve joined XM coming from TMo back in Sept and haven’t experienced any major issues. So far the service has been pretty good in my area (Alexandria Va). My only gripe is i could have gotten a better device but this LG Stylo 4 has been ok. Ported my number to XM so i should expect that $150 rebate deal as advertised sometime soon. They said it takes 16-18 weeks. I also have Xfinity TV Internet as well so that has been solid. I guess service experience varies by location.
To follow up on my post. Since I have an XM device, i wonder if u can transfer the simcard over to another unlock android that works with Verizon (ie OnePlus 6T) or other android devices. Has anyone done this?
After having Verizon as my provider since my first cell phone many years ago I changed to Xfinity mobile. I pay for 3 phones my phone, my wife’s phone and my 93 year old mothers phone. I have seen no difference in service, I have been on the plan for 7 months now and every bill has been $19 and a few cents for all three phones. We use data a lot but since we are all retired and have internet service at home and most people we visit have internet service, we use very little data because even if away from home and we are in range of an Xfinity hot spot it automatically connects. We had one bill that was $23.86 for all three phones because we were in Cancun at a resort for 2 weeks and it costs .10 cents per call and .10 cents per text. We don’t call a lot when on vacation. We vacation from cell phones also.
Quick question for the savvy: contemplating the switch from AT&T with my only concern being anticipated complaints from my 18 year old. He’s a college freshman living in Coral Gables and into instagram with viewing multiple video feeds from friends, Barstool Sports, etc. what concerns if any should I have?
Does anyone have experience in using the the Comcast Mobile services while traveling abroad?
I wondered that too. Turns out that it was because I bought a new device at the same time on a monthly, interest-free plan. The credit check was for that purchase.
I’m thinking about switching. I travel aboard frequently. Has anyone experienced any difficulties using data overseas? And is pricing reasonable?
Using eBay, I have been able to get cheap, used, iPhone SE phones ($65-$80 each) to Port numbers and get sim cards activated on Xfinity mobile. Once activated, the Sim cards seem to work fine in any unlocked, CDMA capable phone. My current phone is a Pixel 2XL.
Does Xfinity offer a mifi type device with an unlimited plan? I’m looking for internet for a tablet that doesn’t use a SIM. Right now I’m using Cricket from a cell phone for wifi/hotspot but at $70 a month I get only 30 GB of data. Help!!
Does anyone have experience with leaving wifi calling on while driving around areas that have lots of xfinity hotspots? Do you constantly experience dropped calls or disconnects for streaming music/podcasts?
Just trying to figure what happens if it is always trying to log into various hotspots while driving and you are constantly going in an out of range of various hotspots. Seems like it would be a frustrating data experience.
I switched from Verizon to Xfinity mobile on 10/26/2019 with an iPhone SE today it was allowed to carry over. The SE is basically the same thing as an iPhone 6.
I have been an Xfinity TV,voice,internet customer for years and also a Verizon wireless customer for years. At one point I switched to Tracphone for my cell service and found that too often I would not receive calls and texts until much later than they were sent because my routing was prioritized after the major carriers. So thank you for talking about that. I am moving to a place where there is NO cable service, so will need to use my phones for everything, including internet, and was concerned about lags in service. I checked into XFinity Moblie and found that even though I will have to buy 2 new phones (husband has a burner, I have a Galaxy 5, and they require a Galaxy 8 or above), AND if I am not a Cable customer I have to pay $20 per line fee, XF will still be cheaper than VZ. BUT I run a business in the new place so can’t have lags. I will definitely be looking into trying to get Verizon to cough up a better or comparable deal.
If you are already an Xfinity customer, it’s one of the cheapest ways to get a $45 access to the Verizon Network without having the 4 devices (which lowers Verizon to $45/per person at 4-5+ people). Having said that, I have an actual native Verizon iPhone (from work), and my wife has the same iPhone (personal) to Xfinity on the Verizon Network. I have the impression that the actual Verizon service tends to connect and relay data when you are on the fringe of a service area. (IE: Inside a building with a metal roof, a steel frame building with a low signal, or both phones have 1 bar). I doubt myself, because it should be the same network and the same packet prioritization. Both Verizon and Xfinity are far superior to t-mobile connectivity (bandwidth and building-penetration wise). I just sense that Xfinity data seems on the Verizon network is a hair weaker and less reliable in low-signal situations on two of the same device. However, for the price difference between Verizon and Xfinity for a single phone owner, I’ll take Xfinity all day long.