New smart phone user data use question

[bren5666]

I've recently decided to begin shopping for a smart phone. All the estimates from the major carriers showed I would use between 2 and 3 gb per month. On a fluke I checked my usage for my home computer which uses time warner and it shows I average about 15gb per month! Are smart phones and home computers rated differently? I was planning to cut out my time warner service, but If the number's are accurate that's not going to happen!

 

[cole2kb]

Your amount of usage at home will probably not nearly equal the usage your phone will get. I would not recommend cutting out your home service unless you do nothing other than check e-mail. I'd say if you're just doing the basics like reading news, checking e-mail, and keeping up on things like Facebook and Twitter, 2-3GB would be plenty. To give you something to compare to, I am constantly on the forums, checking e-mail and social networks, and streaming all my music, as well as tethering my connection to my tablet when needed, and I rarely go past 2GB in a month. I'd say go for a 1-2GB option, and see what the overage rates are. Resign to the fact that you're a new user, and you might end up having to pay for that extra GB for the first month, and change your plan if you feel it's necessary.

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Also, what devices are you looking at?

 

[bren5666]

I was originally looking at the Galaxy Express or Galaxy S3 ( on sale for $100)and going with AT&T. I'm starting to wonder if if I shouldn't go with t- mobile and their unlimited data plan. The only phone in my range with them that I think I may like is the Nokia Lumia 710 but the reviews have been mixed

 

[cole2kb]

Most people don't need the unlimited, they just like to know they have it. Personally, the cost of the device is usually the deciding factor, I can work with whatever the plan offers.

Are you wanting to go no-contract and pay a little more for the phone, or are you willing to sign a contract?

 

[cole2kb]

What do you see yourself using your phone for (as far as services that use data are concerned)? Browsing? Social networks? Things like Netflix?

 

[bren5666]

I'm leaning toward No Contract due to the fact that I really need to see how I'll like using a smartphone and to see if it meets my needs. I would be using the phone mostly for web browsing and a spending a little time on facebook and youtube.

 

[cole2kb]

Well, you can get a Nexus 4, top of the line hardware with the stock Android experience for $299 from Google, and run it on T-Mobile's prepaid plans, or if T-Mobile coverage isn't great where you are, you can put it on Straight Talk running off of AT&T's towers. That's my recommendation. For what you plan to use the phone for, 2GB should be plenty of data for you.

 

[bren5666]

I really appreciate your recommendations!

 

[cole2kb]

No problem. Let us know what you end up getting, and feel free to keep browsing the forums in the meantime to help your decision.