Most smartphone users opt for phone plans to pay for data, SMSes, and call points. It’s important to note that not all plans work the same for everyone. It will depend on what you’re using your smartphone for.
So how do you choose the correct phone plan that’s specific to your requirements? That’s what you can find out in this post. We’ve provided valuable tips on how to choose the best plan for you based on how you use your mobile device.
Consider How You Use Your Phone Daily
There are over 7 billion people in the world who own a smartphone, and they all use their devices differently. People typically use their devices to browse the internet, but you may use your phone for something else.
You must shop around for phone carriers that have what you’re looking for based on how you use your device. The way you use your phone may require more data and a stronger network compared to those who simply use their device for browsing the web.
For example, if you use your phone for gaming, you’ll need a strong network that won’t lag or have frequent downtimes. On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes to watch esports on your phone, you’ll need more data. The same goes for those who watch a lot of videos on Instagram or YouTube.
To give you an idea, here is a table based on how much data each activity will consume when using your mobile device.
Activity |
Data Usage |
YouTube Videos |
480p videos - 280MB per hour HD videos - 1.65GB per hour 4K videos - 2.7GB per hour |
Mobile gaming |
300MB per hour |
E-Sports streaming |
Between 1GB and 3GB per hour |
Spotify |
1GB for 33 hours of music streaming |
Netflix |
Between 1GB and 3GB per hour |
The Cost of The Phone Plan
Another factor to consider when choosing a phone plan is how much it’s going to cost you every month. The average cost of a cell phone plan can be between $20 and $48 per month. But you can also find plans that are as cheap as $15 per month.
The lower-priced plans may offer smaller data bundles, and the network quality may not be the best. Cheaper plans are ideal for people who do research and browse the internet for fun. But if you’re a mobile gamer or love streaming music and videos, you’ll want more data and a stronger network connection, which can be more expensive.
Or find a company that offers affordable data bundles like 500GB, 1GB, or 10GB per month. The bundle you choose will depend on how much data you expect to consume each month.
Phone Plan Duration
Are you someone who doesn’t like to be tied down by yearly contracts? Then you’ll want to choose a mobile plan that offers various contract durations. Opting for shorter 3 to 9-month contracts is ideal if you believe that 12-month plans can be a liability.
More straightforward phone plans allow you to test the service for a time. If you’re happy with the speed of the network and the quality of the service, you can then renew your plan for a longer duration.
Can you Top Up on Data When You’ve Reached Your Limit
There may be situations where you’ve used up all your data for the month. This isn’t uncommon, especially if you’re on holiday or you’ve found a new game that uses more data. In this case, you’ll want a mobile plan that allows you to top up on data whenever you need to.
Some companies may offer discounts or points based on the number of times you top up your data. Discounts or point-based plans can help you save money on data plans each month.
Choose a Network With The Best Coverage
Whether you’re using your mobile device to watch your favorite sport or stream music, a phone plan is useless if the network is weak. You don’t want to pay $40 per month if the network is slow and you can’t connect when you visit certain areas.
You must choose a carrier that provides a fast network, so you get your money’s worth. To find a company that offers a high-quality network, visit the organization’s site and check its coverage maps. The maps will show you where the company’s cell phone towers are situated.
On the other hand, you can also read reviews from current users, which will give you an indication of whether the company provides optimal network coverage.
Be Aware of the Fine Print on Contracts
Cell phone carriers may offer many perks that can include discounts on data bundles, free international roaming packages, or even unlimited data. But it’s important to read the fine print on your plan because sometimes there’s a catch to these perks.
For example, companies may state they offer unlimited plans, but when you reach a certain amount of data, your network may start to operate slower. Read the terms and conditions of your plan before you sign up to avoid disappointment.
Final Thoughts
Mobile plans offer affordable packages so you can enjoy the features on your phone that require an internet connection. Use this guide to help you choose the best plan based on how you use your device.
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Guest Reporter
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