Flex is free, but X1 is $7.50/month

It’s used as streaming box with limited channels. Same type of box, different uses

There’s no technical justification for that claim. The xfinity stream app is free and receives the same linear content over IP. Charging an outlet fee for a box you give away to a different customer class is a pure cash grab.

Flex isn’t really ‘free’ because you must rent their modem ($14+/month) in order to use it. Many customers buy their modem outright for about $100 to avoid that fee but that would prevent them from using Flex.

The ‘free’ stream apps will eventually have a monthly charge in a couple years as has been mentioned by Comcast.