Xfinity Mobile Tips
• Plans available include per gigabyte ($20 per gigabyte) or unlimited data (plans start at $40 per month).
• Adding additional unlimited data lines reduces the cost per line. Four unlimited data lines are available for $25 per line.
• Xfinity Internet is required to subscribe to Xfinity Mobile.
• The service will be delivered through Verizon’s base stations and Comcast’s Xfinity hotspot network.
• Xfinity Mobile supports 5G on the Verizon network, including high-speed Ultra Wideband 5G where available.
Xfinity Mobile is Comcast’s mobile provider that sits alongside your existing Internet and TV services. The idea is that if you already get Internet and cable service from Comcast, you might as well get their mobile service as well. Given the value of having these services bundled together, there’s a compelling argument in favor of Xfinity Mobile.
Comcast customers certainly seem to feel that way: Xfinity Mobile launched in 2017 and has grown significantly over the past seven years.
This rapid growth hasn’t come about because Comcast started building its own cell towers. Rather, Xfinity Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses the existing networks of one or more major carriers. In Comcast’s case, that’s a combination of Verizon’s network, which includes 5G coverage, and the internet provider’s own Wi-Fi hotspots.
For wireless users, getting service from an MVNO can be a better deal than getting service from a major carrier, while enjoying the same great coverage (though speeds may be “deprioritized,” or slower, if the network is busy with traffic). Our overview of MVNOs goes into more detail on the pros and cons of getting service from a virtual operator like Xfinity.
With Xfinity Mobile, like all Comcast services, it’s all about the bundle. In fact, if you don’t get your internet through their provider and have a deal with Comcast, you don’t even qualify for Xfinity Mobile. If you qualify, you get the Xfinity Mobile service, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data for just $45 per month per data line (adding additional lines drops the price to $30 per line).
Should you go with Comcast for your cell phone service? Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the details to see if Xfinity Mobile is right for you.
Xfinity Mobile: How it works
Xfinity Mobile is available only to Comcast subscribers, and the wireless service relies on Verizon’s network (the hands-down winner of our fastest wireless network tests) as well as access to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.
When you sign up, you can choose between unlimited data plans and paying only for the data you use. Regardless of your data choice, you get unlimited nationwide calls and texts. Xfinity Mobile users don’t pay access fees for up to five lines. Some carriers charge subscribers access fees of up to $20 per line on top of their regular monthly data plan fee, but with unlimited plans, these access fees are often rolled into the monthly fee.
Comcast TV subscribers can use the Xfinity Stream TV app on their smartphones to stream live TV, on-demand content, and shows stored in their cloud DVR wherever they are, but it will still count against your data allotment if you’re not on an unlimited plan with your carrier — more on that later.
(Image credit: Xfinity Mobile combines Verizon’s LTE network with Comcast’s Wi-Fi hotspots. (Credit: Comcast))
For the most part, Xfinity Mobile works just like any other wireless carrier. The two most notable differences are that you have to maintain your Comcast subscription, and you’re automatically directed to a Comcast Wi-Fi hotspot if your connection is in range. There’s a pretty good chance you’ll get connected. Last time I checked, there were 22 million Xfinity hotspots across the country, and Comcast announced that in 2023, more than 80% of mobile traffic will be over Wi-Fi. Using Wi-Fi instead of cell towers usually means faster speeds and can help you save on data charges if you’re not on an unlimited data plan.
Xfinity Mobile: How much does it cost?
In March 2024, Xfinity revamped the pricing for both its per-gigabyte and unlimited data plans. Per-gigabyte prices are now a bit more expensive each month, but the starting price for unlimited data has dropped as Xfinity now offers two different unlimited data options.
Let’s start with the per-gigabyte pricing: per-gigabyte pricing is now $20 per gigabyte, up from the previous starting price of $15. Per-gigabyte pricing is aimed at people who don’t need a ton of data each month, as using 2GB of data will cost you $40, the same as Xfinity Mobile’s cheapest unlimited data plan.
That’s why Xfinity Mobile believes unlimited data is the better option. In fact, Xfinity’s unlimited plan is one of the best unlimited data plans out there, especially for existing Comcast customers. Xfinity Mobile’s unlimited plan costs $40 per line of data. And the unlimited plan is even more attractive for families, because Xfinity offers lower prices for multiple lines.
Specifically, if you add a second Unlimited line, you’ll pay $30 per line, bringing your total monthly bill to $60. A family of four would pay $100, or $25 per line.
The unlimited plan lets you stream video in SD resolution, has unlimited hotspot data even on slower 3G speeds, and lets you use up to 30GB of data per data line each month before Xfinity slows you down. In Canada and Mexico, you get unlimited talk, text, and data, but data speeds may be slower than usual.
(Image courtesy of Xfinity Mobile)
Xfinity Mobile has a second unlimited option called Xfinity Plus. It starts at $50 for one line of data and goes up to $80 for two lines (or $40 per line). A family of four would pay $35 per line for Unlimited Plus. Xfinity lets you mix and match different plans.
Unlimited Plus subscribers can stream video in HD resolution and are capped at 50GB before data speeds are throttled. Hotspot data includes 15GB at 5G speeds before data is throttled to 3G. Unlimited Plus customers traveling in Canada and Mexico also get 5GB of high-speed data.
If you choose Xfinity Mobile, be sure to enable two-factor authentication for your account and get a PIN linked to your account. Some customers have reported that their mobile numbers have been hijacked.
Xfinity Mobile: Plan pricing comparison
Xfinity Mobile offers competitively priced plans compared to the major carriers: T-Mobile’s cheapest unlimited plan option is $50 per month for the carrier’s stripped-down Essentials plan. AT&T customers pay $65.99 per month for the Unlimited Starter plan, while Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome plan starts at $65.
Some rival MVNOs offer cheaper unlimited data rates than Xfinity. Visible, which also uses Verizon’s network, charges just $25 per month for unlimited data before taxes and fees. Mint Mobile charges $30 per month, but you have to pay for a year of service up front to get that price.
With multiple line discounts, Xfinity Mobile compares favorably with the best family cell phone plans. Only T-Mobile can match Xfinity on price, at $100 per month for four lines on its Essentials plan, but that’s after autopay discounts. That’s the same price Xfinity currently charges for four lines with unlimited data.
Xfinity Mobile’s per-gigabyte price pales in comparison to other budget carriers. With Tello, for example, you’ll pay $14 per month for 5GB of data, which is $6 less than Xfinity’s per-gigabyte price. Google Fi is $10 less per gigabyte of data than Xfinity, but Google’s wireless service will still charge you $20 for talk and text on top of your data. And, of course, neither service requires you to buy cable or internet from Comcast.
Xfinity Mobile: What about 5G?
The Verizon 5G network launched in 2019, so it was only a matter of time before MVNOs like Xfinity Mobile would make faster 5G service available. Xfinity Mobile 5G service launched in May 2020, and the good news is that you don’t have to pay extra for the faster speeds; the service is included in the regular-priced Xfinity Mobile plan.
That means Xfinity customers who pay $45 a month for unlimited data can get 5G for about half the price that Verizon customers pay. Verizon includes 5G in its plans, and its cheapest unlimited plan is currently $20 more than Xfinity charges.
There are a few caveats to Xfinity Mobile’s 5G service. First, you’ll need a 5G-enabled phone, but these are more readily available at a range of price points. Get a Galaxy S24 model or an iPhone 15. Xfinity sells these phones directly, in addition to cheaper mid-range devices.
Verizon 5G now spans the entire US, serving 230 million people. Verizon’s faster Ultra Wideband 5G reaches 200 million more people. It’s not as widespread as T-Mobile’s network, so if 5G speeds are important to you, you might want to consider T-Mobile (or one of the smaller carriers that use T-Mobile’s network).
Xfinity Mobile: No contract
You can cancel your Xfinity Mobile plan within 30 days of your next billing cycle date. If you cancel, you’ll only be responsible for the current month’s charges on your account and any outstanding charges for your device. During the first 30 days, you can cancel and return your device for a full refund, minus a $35 restocking fee. After 30 days, you’ll be responsible for the restocking fee and any outstanding charges for your device.
Comcast says that if you port your number to another carrier, your Xfinity Mobile service will be automatically canceled. If you have a By the Gig plan, you will only be charged for the data you use from the start of your billing cycle to the date you cancel your service. For unlimited users, the cancellation total will be pro-rated based on where you are in the billing cycle.
If you make payments on your device, you are responsible for paying any outstanding amounts, but if you maintain at least one other Xfinity service (such as Internet), you can continue to make payments if you don’t want to prepay your balance.
Xfinity Mobile: What devices are supported?
Device selection has been Xfinity Mobile’s biggest weakness as it primarily sells top-of-the-line flagship devices, but in recent years Xfinity has expanded its selection of Android devices and now allows users to bring some of those devices onto its network.
If you want to bring your own phone, Xfinity allows iPhone users to bring their own devices as long as it’s an iPhone 6 or newer. For Android phones, the BYOD service is currently limited to select Samsung and Pixel models.
If you have a supported phone, you’ll receive a free SIM card from Xfinity, then sign in once you receive it to activate your account.
Xfinity Mobile also sells tablets (all iPad models) and smartwatches (both the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch 6), as well as mobile accessories like cases and charging pads. You pay $10 per line per month for an Xfinity Mobile plan that covers these devices.
Is Xfinity Mobile worth it?
It all depends, but for some customers, especially residential users looking for unlimited data, Comcast’s mobile service certainly seems like a good value — and the inclusion of 5G is just on top of that. And now that discounts are available on multiple lines, families might also want to consider Xfinity Mobile.
Users who only need 1GB of data per month will also be satisfied with Xfinity Mobile, although as mentioned above, the more data you use with Xfinity Mobile, the less attractive a single line of the service becomes when compared to the best prepaid phone plans.
Xfinity Mobile has become more attractive now that you can bring your own phone to the service, but Android users will need certain Samsung or Google phones to take advantage of that feature. You can use Comcast’s checker tool to see if the phone you’re currently using is compatible.
You can use Xfinity Mobile when traveling to other countries, but you’ll pay for calls, texts, and data (prices vary by country), meaning there are better international data plans out there.
