Help New to smartphones, concerns about data use...

[Ringside]

Hello all,

First let me say this is my first post. This seems like a pretty active and friendly forum so I thought I'd jump in and pick some brains.

Okay, I've never had a smartphone and I'm finally thinking of getting one. The Galaxy S II to be precise. I have a family plan with my wife, she has an iPhone and is on the unlimited data plan. I'm toying with the idea of getting the 2 GB plan with my phone for two reasons...I'm pretty cheap! and I have wifi access at work and at home so I don't think I'd actually need too much data allowance. Or would I?

That is the thing that's stopping me from getting the phone, because I'm not sure how much data I'd use. I don't want to get the phone then realize that 2 GB isn't enough and have to jump up to the next plan and pay more. Adding the extra $25 (2GB) to the bill is where I'd rather stay.

So any comments or suggestions? One thing...I won't be using Netflix or really streaming video apart from the odd youtube clip.

Thanks all!

 

[El Presidente]

Welcome to AF Ringside.

If you're going to have WiFi access at home and work, then 2GB is going to be more than ample. I'm in a similar situation and I rarely get close to my 1GB allowance. If you're still worried, you can install an app like 3G Watchdog to keep track of your usage. The pro version will even notify you when you're getting close to your limit.

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I agree with El Presidente, if you have wifi access at home and work then 2GB should be plenty for you. Just remember to do all your heavy downloading over a wifi network (app updates, file downloads, etc....). I think you will be surprised about how much data you have left over.

Get the phone, use it for a month, look at your bill and see how much data you used and then adjust from there. Be smart about what you download and you will be fine.

Welcome to the forums and hopefully welcome to Android.

 

[Ringside]

Thanks for the replies there. I'm going to get the phone today, I think, while Walmart still have the $98 phone & gift card offer (ends today I believe).

Do you think it's better than my current phone?