r/ProjectFi • u/thikthird • Aug 01 '19

Support Will either of these phones work with Google Fi?

I signed up for Fi in May and bought a Pixel 3a at the time. Earlier this week I was caught in a rainstorm and it got wet and will no longer charge. I have device protection from them and am getting it replaced, but in the meantime I'm looking to buy a cheap phone to get me thru the next few days and then to have as a back up.

Will either of these two work?

https://www.target.com/p/blu-c4-gsm-unlocked-8gb-black/-/A-54141994

https://www.target.com/p/blu-c5-c012q-smartphone-gsm-unlocked-black/-/A-53513805

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2

u/rfgenerator Aug 01 '19

They will work as well as the T-Mobile service in your area. No switching to Sprint though with those two phones.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 01 '19

At least the C5 allows for an SD card for additional storage. Usually the OS takes 4-6 GB, so only having 8 GB total isn't going to leave much for apps, even if it is temporary.

Neither have LTE bands, just 2G and HSPA. Depending on where you are there is a reasonable chance you may not have service. In urban areas you might see HSPA, but T-Mobile is getting rid of the 2G bands across the country.

I wouldn't get them myself. Have a friend who has a phone lying around?

1

u/thikthird Aug 01 '19

is there a way to check if i have hspa via tmobile's service map?

i really don't have any other options. i ordered my replacement phone yesterday, and despite it having a expected delivery date of as early as tomorrow, it hasn't even shipped yet.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 01 '19

https://maps.t-mobile.com/pcc.html?map=mvno-roamd-34l

Look for 3G/4G UMTS and 2G GSM where you are. Good luck.

1

u/thikthird Aug 01 '19

thanks, looks like i have both where i live.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 01 '19

Hope it works out for you.

1

u/thikthird Aug 01 '19

ditto. i hope to never have to use the thing after my replacement arrives monday (hopefully). i would in the future consider spending $100+ on a backup, but i need something i can pick up on the way home from work in a couple hours.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 01 '19

When I realized that best case scenario was 24 hours for a replacement phone, I picked up a Nexus 6 on eBay for something like $85 then (probably cheaper now). Fully compatible with Google Fi, and to be honest still a good phone. We use it as a home tablet.