Several posts on this. Promos are better than subscriptions so make your best deal. Answer from Peterfield53 on reddit.com
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Google Support
support.google.com › fi › answer › 10093003
Join the Google Fi phone subscription program - Android - Google Fi Wireless Help
The phone subscription program ... subscriptions at this time. Current subscribers · At the end of your current 2-year subscription, you can renew your active phone subscription or upgrade to a new Pixel A-series phone....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › can someone explain the benefit of the google fi phone subscription program?
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Can Someone explain the benefit of the Google Fi phone subscription program?
January 2, 2024 -

I just don't understand it. over 2 years ago I signed up with the expectation that I would receive a new phone after paying for 2 years. I didn't read the fine print, didn't fully understand that I was paying for the phone that was given to me. I'll own up to that.

But here is where it gets weirder.

An 'upgrade' to the Pixel 7a through the subscription plan is $20.80 a month for 2 years.

Buying a new Pixel 8 is only $16.62 a month.

Intriguing.. But I understand. It's on sale right now. $300 off. a little interesting that a newer, stronger phone would be cheaper.

from the shop in the SAME WEBSITE, Pixel 7a is ALSO on sale $200 off or $12.46 a month.

So. Ultimately, the phone subscription plan gives no benefits, Sales don't apply to the upgrade. You can do everything off the subscription plan that you could do on it.

What am I missing here? Please help me understand why a massive company has this system?

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Several posts on this. Promos are better than subscriptions so make your best deal.
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Well the subscription plan got canceled that's why.
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Google
blog.google › products › google-fi-wireless › save-money-new-google-fi-phone-subscription-program
Save money with the new Google Fi phone subscription program
October 22, 2020 - So today, Google Fi is announcing our new phone subscription program: for just $15 per month1, you get the top-rated Pixel 4a, device protection, and a phone upgrade after two years.
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ScreenRant
screenrant.com › home › tech › tech news › get a new pixel every two years with a google fi phone subscription
Get A New Pixel Every Two Years With A Google Fi Phone Subscription
October 24, 2020 - Google Fi's new phone subscription provides each subscriber with a Pixel 4a phone, then allows them to upgrade to a new phone after two years.
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Lifehacker
lifehacker.com › home
Is Google Fi's New Phone Subscription Plan a Good Deal? | Lifehacker
June 9, 2025 - Additionally, Google will allow you to upgrade your phone after two years—presumably as long as you continue to pay the same monthly fee to get your hands on whatever the company has on offer around that point.
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XDA Forums
xdaforums.com › home › google › google pixel 7a
Question - Google Fi Pixel Subscription - Pixel 7a | XDA Forums
May 10, 2023 - Not Pixel Pass, just the regular subscription with Google Fi. I want to upgrade my mothers phone for Mothers Day and was going to go the subscription route this time so she gets new phones every 2 years but I dont want to get the 6a with the 7a being announced today.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › phone subscription upgrade
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Phone subscription upgrade
July 28, 2022 -

I have a Google pixel 4a subscription and am going to pay it off to upgrade. Will I be able to upgrade to a subscription for the 7 or 7a? The upgrade directions say to select the 6a. Do they not offer the 7a or 7 on the same phone subscription plan as they did for the 4a? I have gotten lots of conflicting info from customer support. Thanks!

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The 7a is not (yet) on subscription but presumably will be in the not so distant future.

Edit: mind you, if you can't wait and you're thinking about doing the 6A on subscription I strongly recommend just financing the current sale price of 199 for 24 months with 0% as that is both (marginally) cheaper than the subscription plan and if you decide to pay it off early, you won't lose the savings like you will with a subscription plan when you pay it off early ending your commitment.

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I get the feeling they're done with subscriptions and are sticking to the $xx off over xx months promo they are running now.

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9to5Google
9to5google.com › home › google fi launches two-year ‘phone subscription’ program for pixel 4a at $15/month
Google Fi launches two-year 'Phone subscription' program for Pixel 4a at $15/month
October 22, 2020 - After adding Samsung devices to its online store, Google Fi is now launching a Phone subscription program. The Pixel 4a is the first device available, with buyers saving “$133 over two years.” · Google’s MVNO is advertising this program as an alternative to the “time consuming, complicated and expensive” process of “choosing and upgrading to a new phone.”
Find elsewhere
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XDA Developers
xda-developers.com › home › google fi's $15/mo phone subscription program gets you a pixel 4a, device protection, and biyearly phone upgrades
Google Fi's $15/mo phone subscription program gets you a Pixel 4a, device protection, and biyearly phone upgrades
October 22, 2020 - Subscribers today can get the Google Pixel 4a and device protection for $15 per month over a 24-month period. After that, subscribers will own the device and are free to upgrade to a new Pixel smartphone.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › phone subscription program - good deal?
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Phone subscription program - good deal?
July 1, 2021 -

What is the catch on the subscription program? I was ready to pay up front, but this seems like they are giving a discount AND free financing.

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The only catch is you have to stay with FI for 24 months or you pay full price for the phone. It's a no brainer if you plan on staying with Google Fi.
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Its a great deal if you are planning on staying with Fi
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › upgrade after 2 years means just start a new subscription?
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Upgrade after 2 years means just start a new subscription?
July 14, 2021 - $200 off on the 6? Are you referring to the Google Store promo that was running a few weeks back or some other promo? ... No, it was a Fi promotion about 90 days ago. ... Basically, you keep paying the subscription, get a new phone of which is ever the A series in this case, and keep the first phone to do what ever you want with it.
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Google Fi
fi.google.com › about › phone-subscription
Google Pixel Phone Subscription Program - Google Fi Wireless
With our phone subscription program, you get a new Pixel, device protection, and an upgrade after 2 years. Join for just $15/month.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › google fi subscription upgrade?
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Google Fi Subscription Upgrade?
April 8, 2023 -

Hi all,

Been on Fi for a while. Two years ago I signed up to the phone subscription program which was a super reasonable $9 a month (I cancelled the protection plan) for 24 months for my 5a. Now it says that on August 2 I'll be eligible to upgrade to a new Pixel 7a.

If I upgrade, will it remain at the $9 per month cost for the 7a? Been trying to find some sort of confirmation which has been weirdly hard to do.

Thanks!

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I'm in exactly the same spot.... I'd like to know too.
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Me too, hopefully someone can chime in with how the subscription upgrade worked out for them. And if I were you I would be selling or trading in that 5a as soon as possible before it gets the black screen of death. You're lucky it made it to the end of your subscription and it can happen with zero notice. I wouldn't even keep it around as a backup. If you need a backup buy a used Pixel 5 instead.
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Chrome Unboxed
chromeunboxed.com › chrome unboxed - the latest chrome os news › new & upcoming features › news › uncategorized › updates › google fi introduces a new subscription program that is focused on the budget buyer
Google Fi introduces a new subscription program that is focused on the budget buyer
October 22, 2020 - With the launch of this new $15 plan, you’ll get a shiny new Pixel 4a, a device protection plan to guard against drops, cracks and spills, and the ability to upgrade to a new phone after two years.
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Manuals+
manuals.plus › home › join the google fi phone subscription program
Join the Google Fi phone subscription program
January 28, 2023 - For $15 per month, the Google Fi phone subscription program includes a Pixel 4a, device protection, and a phone upgrade after 2 years.
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Google Fi
fi.google.com › about › plans
Unlimited, Flexible & Group Phone Plans & Rates - Google Fi Wireless
At that time, your subscription will automatically renew into an individual monthly YouTube Premium subscription at the current rate of $13.99/month (rate subject to change) and the monthly charge will be applied to your Fi bill until you cancel.
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Ars Technica
arstechnica.com › gadgets › 2023 › 08 › google-kills-two-year-pixel-pass-subscription-after-just-22-months
Google kills two-year “Pixel Pass” subscription after just 22 months - Ars Technica
August 30, 2023 - For $45 per month, you would get a new Pixel 6, YouTube and YouTube Music Premium, 200GB of Google One storage, “Preferred Care” coverage for your phone, and a “Google Play Pass,” a Netflix-style all-you-can-eat subscription for Play ...
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9to5Google
9to5google.com › home › google fi’s phone subscription gets you a pixel 5a, device protection for $15/month
Google Fi's Phone subscription gets you a Pixel 5a, device protection for $15/month
August 17, 2021 - The third aspect is the ability to upgrade to the next device in the Phone subscription program after 24 months. You’ll own the current device, but you can’t trade it in through Fi and will start a new two-year monthly payment cycle.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 250716633
Iphone upgrade program Google Fi - Apple Community
I have an Iphone XS Max, purchased through the Apple Iphone Upgrade program. That all worked fine whilst I was an customer of AT&T for my cell service, but this year I moved to Google Fi.
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Google
guidebooks.google.com › fi › phonesonfi › tradeinorupgradeyourphone
How to trade in or upgrade your phone on Google Fi
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