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How much mobile data do you really need?
How much data you need depends on how you use your phone day-to-day, but data is one of those things that’s really tricky to quantify unless you’re a gigabyte-geek, so let’s get into it.
If you’re guilty of choosing a plan with unlimited data just to be on the safe side, or you’ve ever been hit with extra fees because you used more than your plan includes, you’ll know just how helpful it is to figure out how much mobile data you really need. Ultimately, choosing the right mobile data plan can save you money.
Understand your usage
You use mobile data every time your phone connects to the internet without Wi‑Fi. Some activities use very little data, while others can use a lot more than you might expect.
Browsing & sending emails- Low usage
Checking websites, emails, and news apps uses small amounts.
Social media- Medium usage
Scrolling, posting photos, and watching short videos on apps like Instagram or TikTok uses more data, especially if you’ve got apps set-up to automatically play videos.
Streaming video & music- High usage
Watching videos on platforms like YouTube or Netflix is demanding on data, particularly in HD.
Gaming & downloads- High usage
This one probably isn’t a surprise, but online gaming, app downloads, and updates can quickly put a dent in things.
Video calls- High usage
Video calls on apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Teams use much more in comparison to voice calls.
Which type of data user are you?
Data dabbler 2–5GB per month
If you’re mostly on Wi-Fi, this would probably be enough for emails, web browsing, messaging, and occasionally using apps.
Super scroller 10–20GB per month
If you keep tabs on your social feeds multiple times a day, and you might pop on a playlist, use Google maps, or watch the odd video too.
Gig guzzler 30GB+ or unlimited
Do you stream an episode of your fave show on your daily commute? Or maybe you play online games, have regular video calls or rely on hotspots.
How to figure out how much you need…
The easiest way to choose the right amount of data in your plan is to look at what you already use. And there are 2 ways to find that out really easily.
Head to ‘Settings’ in your phone and select ‘data usage’. This will show you how much you’ve used so far, this month.
Log into your online account or app for your network provider to see past usage. It’s always a good idea to look at your average monthly use over a longer time period to be sure you’re not just capturing a busy time.
Avoid overpaying
Choosing a plan with a data allowance slightly above your average usage will cover you for occasional extras and prevent unexpected charges if you go over your limit. It also helps prevent slow speeds. Some networks intentionally slow your speed when you go over your allowance to keep up with customer demand.
AO Mobile is our SIM only plan that includes 500GB of data – as well as unlimited texts and calls – for £12 a month for members. That’s more than enough data for most users. (Yes, even you gig guzzlers!)
So, now you know how much data you really need, you can weigh up if you’re paying too much, could do with a few more gigs in your plan, or can even make a few simple changes to use less. And if AO Mobile sounds like it could work for you, take a closer look.
