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As you may know, Verizon is the largest wireless carrier across the country. At the time of writing, it has the most users, widest coverage, fastest 5G data speeds, and many free entertainment subscriptions. However, does the carrier share all these features with its closest MVNOs? In particular, which should you choose between Xfinity Mobile vs Visible wireless?
Of all the other MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) on the Verizon network, the two seem to have the strongest bond with the major carrier.
Of course, the answer on Visible should be obvious since it’s a brand of Verizon. But Xfinity Mobile’s a different company yet seems to have premium privileges, including data prioritization and even free phone when you switch prepaid service.
Anyway, let’s break down both providers and see how they relate or differ from each other.
Xfinity Mobile vs Visible: An Overview on the Features & Perks of the Cell Phone Operators
| Feature | Xfinity Mobile | Visible |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2018 |
| Carrier Network | Verizon | Verizon |
| eSIM Support | NO | YES |
| Free 5G | YES | YES |
| 5G Data Speeds | 4000+Mbps | 50-200+Mbps |
| Lowest Phone Plan | $15 | $40 |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES | YES |
| Unlimited data | YES | YES |
| Family Discount | YES | YES (Sorta) |
| Free Mexico/ Canada Call | N/A ($10/ month) | YES |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES |
| Video Streaming | YES | YES |
| Phone Unlock Period | After 60 Days | After 60 Days |
| Extra Perks | Free unlimited Xfinity WiFi Hotspots | Free Unlimited Mobile Hotspot |
Should I Get Visible Service?
Visible is one of the best mobile virtual network operators if you browse a lot. On the US Mobile vs Visible review, we concluded you can pay as low as $5/ month for a whole year yet still get unlimited data with no cap.
And considering the service has a 5G network, you can now enjoy decent browsing speeds of up to 200Mbps. Or else share unlimited mobile hotspot data at 5Mbps speeds with your laptop or desktop computer.
That said, though, Visible is still like the Verizon prepaid service. So, you can expect a drop in the data speed during congestion. Also, the provider includes no free entertainment subscriptions, plus it allows streaming in the standard DVD quality (480p).
Should I Get Xfinity Mobile Phone?
Xfinity Mobile is also a great wireless phone service if you tend to browse a lot. It also runs on the Verizon wireless network, including the newly-established 5G bands for fast downloads, plus seamless streaming and gaming.
Xfinity also has pretty decent pricing on the rate plans. However, it has divided the various plans into two categories- unlimited prepaid and the By the Gig, which is postpaid.
More on that, the cell phone provider has impressive browsing data speeds, peaking at up to 4+Gbps when on the Ultra-Wideband spectrum. Then, you can enjoy some pretty great offers as a new or existing customer, including up to a $30 discount on your Xfinity cabled internet.
Speaking of the cabled internet, Xfinity requires you have an active connection before you can get the mobile phone service. And if you can remember our previous talk on Mint Mobile and Spectrum, the Charter’s brand, which, surprisingly, is also on the Verizon network, has similar eligibility requirements.
Comparison: Xfinity Mobile vs ATT
Xfinity Mobile vs Visible: Comparing the Main Features & Perks between the Cell Phone Providers
Availability & Trial
In the question about eligibility, Visible no doubt is the winner. Not only can you join with no credit check, but also do have a free 15-day free trial period. So, you’ll have hands-on experience on the coverage in your area, as well as the data speed, hotspot, and rest of the perks before you commit.
As for Xfinity Mobile, there’s no option for a free trial plan for now. Then, you can only qualify for the service if you’re already using the cabled Xfinity internet. You’ll then have to maintain either the internet or TV service to continue the phone service at the same rate.
In case you cancel both of the cabled services, your monthly bill for the Xfinity Mobile phone will attract a surcharge fee of $25.
Winner: Visible is open to any customer, plus has a free trial plan & no credit check
Network Coverage:
In general, both Xfinity Mobile and Visible offer the service through the Verizon network. So, the coverage is pretty much the same, whereby you can get a great reception not only in the Metropolises but also in many remote areas.
That includes places like Milwaukee, Madison, Toledo, and in the Midwestern/ Northwestern region where T-Mobile usually has spotty coverage.
Winner: a Tie since both carriers run on the Verizon Wireless network
Phone Selection & Deals
When we now compare Visible vs Xfinity Mobile on the phone deals, the latter is a much better choice. It’s one of the companies that give free phones when you switch, and even though, not many options are available, the few are still something.
On top of that, Xfinity Wireless also does offer up to a $400 discount on select high-end phones, a trade-in option, and a $100 prepaid card when you bring your phone to the network. Then, there’s an option to finance your favorite LTE/ 5G-capable device over 24 months.
Of course, Visible also does have a device financing program if you don’t have the cash to grab your desired phone upfront. But it doesn’t have any free phone deals, rather partial discounts that include up to $200 virtual gift cards on select devices.
Winner: Xfinity Mobile has free phone deals, plus higher discounts & trade-in offers on high-end devices
Free 5G Access & Speeds
As was mentioned earlier, Xfinity Mobile peaks up to 4000+Mbps (or 4+Gbps) when on the 5G Ultra-Wideband capacity. These results were part of a recent speed test in the Denver area using an iPhone 12, whereby the hotspot speed also reached up to 400+Mbps.
In other tests on the low-band 5G spectrum, you can expect download speeds between 50-150Mbps. And, still, that’s enough for most of the online stuff- including streaming two to six 4K movies at the same time.
On its end, Visible has the browsing speed on the 5G capped at 200Mbps due to the uncapped data, as we shall see shortly. But in the comparison I mentioned earlier with US Mobile, the Verizon brand achieved up to 230Mbps. And while the speed is still great, you may experience high latency from 31-150ms during peak hours.
Winner: Xfinity Mobile has greater 5g speeds both for the in-device and hotspot usage
Phone Plans & Pricing
On the plan structure, Xfinity should have been the winner since there’s the option to choose the right plan for your needs. That includes the By the Gig plan, which starts from as low as $15/ month to the Unlimited plan, whereby you can “use as much data as you want”.
| Features | 1GB Plan | 3GB Plan | 10GB Plan | Unlimited Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Line Price | $15/ mo. | $30/ mo. | $60/ mo. | $45/ mo. |
| 2 Lines price | $7.5/ mo. (per line) | $15/ mo. (per line) | $30/ mo. (per line) | $40/ mo. (per line) |
| 3 Lines Price | $5/ mo. (per line) | $10/ mo. (per line) | $20/ mo. (per line) | $33.33/ mo. (per line) |
| 4 Lines Price | $3.75/ mo. (per line) | $7.5/ mo. (per line) | $15/ mo. (per line) | $30/ mo. (per line) |
| 10 Lines Price | $1.5/ mo. (per line) | $3/ mo. (per line) | $6/ mo. (per line) | $24/ mo. (per line) |
| 4G LTE & 5G | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | 1GB | 3GB | 10GB | Unlimited |
| Priority Data | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20GB (then 1.5Mbps) |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Video Streaming | HD Quality (1080p) | HD Quality (1080p) | HD Quality (1080p) | SD Quality (480p) |
In the Xfinity Mobile phone plans, you’ll come to notice the By The Gig prices remain the same, whether you have single or ten lines. And the reason for that’s because it’s a shared pooled plan, whereby all the included devices collectively use the amount of data available.
For example, the 3GB plan will remain at $30 with 2 or 4+ lines, but this data allowance (3GB) is what they share. If by chance you go beyond the 3GB or any other allotments on the By the Gig plan, you’ll be charged overage charges.
So, you might want to consider the Xfinity Unlimited plan if you’re a heavy data user. Not only are data allowance given to individual lines, but also has unlimited 1.5Mbps browsing speeds after reaching the monthly high-speed cap (at 20GB).
Visible Could Be Better:
Indeed, it could, especially if you can invite your buddies over to join your Visible Party Pay plan. Not only do you get to pay as low as $25/ month for your line, but also have a full experience, with “Truly” unlimited data.
| Features | Visible Phone Plan |
| 1 Line Price (Before Tax) | $40/ mo. |
| 2 Lines price (after Discount) | $35/ mo. (per line) |
| 3 Lines Price (after Discount) | $30/ mo. (per line) |
| 4+ Lines Price (after Discount) | $25/ mo. (per line) |
| 4G & LTE | YES |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | Unlimited |
| Priority Data | N/A |
| Hotspot Data Cap | Unlimited (at 5Mbps) |
| Video Streaming | SD Quality (480p) |
Even better, the Visible phone plans, do have an option to get your monthly service from $5/ month when you bring a friend over. And you’ll still get a full experience, with unlimited LTE/ 5G data, talking, texting, mobile hotspot.
Winner: Visible has no risk of overage charges, plus has cheaper unlimited everything allowances
Deprioritization & Throttling
As was just said, Visible doesn’t throttle your monthly data (or rather offers high-speed data with no caps). So, you can use as much data as you want without having to worry about your speeds getting dropped.
However, the MVNO is more like another prepaid service for Verizon, thereby you’ll get deprioritized when the cell towers are too crowded.
As for Xfinity Mobile, there isn’t exactly a “truly” unlimited data plan as your premium speeds will get throttled after reaching 20GB. That’s your data will drop to a maximum of 1.5Mbps speeds (could be slower during congestion) until your monthly cycle resets.
Even so, Verizon usually gives Xfinity Mobile priority data, which should explain why its browsing speeds are very similar to the main carrier’s postpaid service. Then, during congestion, you’ll also notice slightly higher data speeds than Visible or any other Verizon MVNO.
Winner: Another Tie since both carriers take a point on either throttling or deprioritization
Final Thoughts
At this point, we can all agree both Xfinity Mobile and Visible wireless are very competitive both on pricing and features. However, Visible, in my option, is a much better option. It not only has no crazy requirements to join or stay on service but also doesn’t perform a credit check, which is a big plus right now from the COVID-19 hardships.
Furthermore, the Verizon’s mobile operator has “truly” unlimited data (and Hotspot) that never get slowed down based on usage. Thus, can be handier than Xfinity Mobile when traveling.
Of course, Xfinity Mobile may also come in handy for most parts with unlimited 1.5Mbps speeds and hotspot access. But the requirements to have Xfinity internet and also credit check defeats the whole convenience of prepaid phones.