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I read today on Slashdot that the Droid's "unlimited" data plan is actually only 5 GB a month. I'm wondering, based on other Android phone users' experience, what's the average data usage per month? Average monthly iPhone data usage would also be handy.
Also, is there a good tool for seeing this data on a monthly basis? On the iPhone, going to Settings -> General -> Usage gives you the amount of usage since the last Statistics Reset. That works if, for example, you're going on an international trip, and remember to reset statistics before you go so you can watch when you hit the international data roaming limit, but it's a bit tedious to do more often.
And there's some data on my ATT online bill, but in typical telco fashion, quite hard to decipher. Wondering if there's a simple app for collecting this data and setting alerts when you're near the limit.
But in the short term, a few real world answers of the form "I typically use n GB a month" would be helpful.
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If the Droid's "unlimited" data plan from Verizon is only 5 GB a month, how much data do people usually use?
19 Answers | 4 Comments
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My iPhone says 2.3 GB received, and 415 MB sent. And I have never reset the stats in the last 9 months. So, 2.7 GB / 7 = 0.3 GB per month.
Try as I might, I've never used anywhere close to a Gig on my iPhone. A few hundred megs is the most I've ever managed in a month. That includes using it freely, Youtube, tons of feed reading. I often switch to WiFi at home, though.
Mine says 363 MB sent, 1.6 GB received, since 12/19/08, almost 11 months ago. So 33 MB up and 149 MB down a month.
A quick Google search for "average iPhone data usage" reveals a few links where people are reporting 100+ MB/month, which corroborates my figures.
A quick Google search for "average iPhone data usage" reveals a few links where people are reporting 100+ MB/month, which corroborates my figures.
Comment by
jackr
: Nov 09 2009 10:17 AM
: Nov 09 2009 10:17 AM
Like others, I'm running around 400MB/month, which includes push-notice email from my company's Exchange server (and several POP email accounts monitored manually). I have several Twitter clients installed, but mostly tweet from the desktop rather than the mobile.
Even with constant use and tethering, I didn't manage to exceed 1GB on my iPhone on the Canadian Rogers network. Of course, the iPhone won't let you download videos or files bigger than 10MB over 3G anyway, which is one limiting factor. But in general between small data sizes for average transactions and a lot of time spent using wifi, it's hard to push more than a GB over 3G in a month.
On my Palm Pre, I use 2-3 GB per month with a max of close to 5 Gb one month. I sync my Podcasts over EVDO in drPodder. I use bluetooth headset and drop my Pre on a touchstone to stream Pandora most of the work day. On Mondays, I may watch NFL Network to catch up on the weekend's football. I also stream video from home, using Orb server.
I think the level of streaming media you use is the determination of how close you get to the 5 Gb limit.
I think the level of streaming media you use is the determination of how close you get to the 5 Gb limit.
Several answers coming in via Twitter (where I also posted this question):
@htyoung: The only thing about data caps is that the exceptional people like me have 8 gigs of podcasts downloading daily.
@DonMagee I use my phone constantly, and according to the iPhone 3gs which I got on launch day I've used 354 meg down and 80meg up.
@bagder: I'm definitely always less than 1GB, and I read LOTS of mail and surf the web daily...
@mkooiker: I just got a Motorola Droid on Friday and my data usage is trending 2.2G/Mo.
@htyoung: The only thing about data caps is that the exceptional people like me have 8 gigs of podcasts downloading daily.
@DonMagee I use my phone constantly, and according to the iPhone 3gs which I got on launch day I've used 354 meg down and 80meg up.
@bagder: I'm definitely always less than 1GB, and I read LOTS of mail and surf the web daily...
@mkooiker: I just got a Motorola Droid on Friday and my data usage is trending 2.2G/Mo.
I have an iPhone with 157 MB sent / 1.2 GB received since 07-01-2009. I think that's about 40 MB sent / 300 MB received per month.
uploads: 10.6 MB/month
downloads: 212.5 MB/month
downloads: 212.5 MB/month
Comment by
sjdorst
: Nov 09 2009 10:52 AM
: Nov 09 2009 10:52 AM
Just got my Droid over the weekend. Anybody know where to find Data usage to date? And does it break out 3G vs WiFi?
Just got the Droid on Friday (and switched from TMobile to Verizon). But on my G1 with TMobile, I was averaging 200MB/mo, with a peak of 500MB.
My wife and I combined average about 1GB per month both on iPhones.
In 16 months with my iPhone 3G, I've sent 321 MB and received 3.5 GB, so 20 MB/mo. down and 219 MB/mo. up.
I've asked the same question. I purchased the Verizon MiFi hotspot for a cross-country drive after my daughter graduated from college. They had two plans: 250MB a month, and the 5 GB per month. Well, I blew through the 250 MB within a couple of days and switched to the 5 GB. It feels like the old days of GEISCO, CompuServe, and telenet, when you paid kilo-character charges for the privilege of using an online service. Once you exceed your limit, you starting paying a per-minute fee.
I've exceeded my 5 GB limit once, and now take steps to limit my usage. Is this what verizon wants? It relegates their equipment to "insurance" status rather than a "must have" device. My current application is to have it on in my car when I drive, so my 1st gen iPhone has better connectivity.
I've exceeded my 5 GB limit once, and now take steps to limit my usage. Is this what verizon wants? It relegates their equipment to "insurance" status rather than a "must have" device. My current application is to have it on in my car when I drive, so my 1st gen iPhone has better connectivity.
I've used 2.5GB since 10/31/2008 (~208MB/month) on my iPhone. It seemed low, but since I spend most of my time on WiFi, it works out.
From droidforums.net
"Ok there have been WAY too many people that have misconceptions about the data usage on their phones.
The $30 plan that you got to surf the web and to play with your apps. This plan includes "UNLIMITED" data usage. It does NOT have 5GB cap. This has been confirmed by 3 verizon reps on our site. Also confirmed if you read the terms and conditions of the data plan you purchase. The terms and conditions can be found on their website, or below this paragraph.
planterms.pdf
The 5GB data usage plans are for following and ONLY for the following: USB Modems, PC Cards, ExpressCards, MiFi 2200, Notebooks, Netbooks, OR if you are tethering a device from a: Mobile Broadband Connect-capable smartphone or blackberry. Shown in the PDF file below.
Mobile Broadband Plans for USB Modems.pdf
On your Phone as long as you are using it ONLY as a phone to access the internet, play games, listen to the radio, or whatever else the phone is capable of (NOT TETHERING!) it is unlimited.
*WARNING* If you do find a way to tether the phone without paying for it, verizon wireless has the ability to find out that you are doing it. While it is unlikely that they find you if you stay under 5GB, they still have the ability to. They will charge you the full amount for the data usage for the times you've used it if caught."
"Ok there have been WAY too many people that have misconceptions about the data usage on their phones.
The $30 plan that you got to surf the web and to play with your apps. This plan includes "UNLIMITED" data usage. It does NOT have 5GB cap. This has been confirmed by 3 verizon reps on our site. Also confirmed if you read the terms and conditions of the data plan you purchase. The terms and conditions can be found on their website, or below this paragraph.
planterms.pdf
The 5GB data usage plans are for following and ONLY for the following: USB Modems, PC Cards, ExpressCards, MiFi 2200, Notebooks, Netbooks, OR if you are tethering a device from a: Mobile Broadband Connect-capable smartphone or blackberry. Shown in the PDF file below.
Mobile Broadband Plans for USB Modems.pdf
On your Phone as long as you are using it ONLY as a phone to access the internet, play games, listen to the radio, or whatever else the phone is capable of (NOT TETHERING!) it is unlimited.
*WARNING* If you do find a way to tether the phone without paying for it, verizon wireless has the ability to find out that you are doing it. While it is unlikely that they find you if you stay under 5GB, they still have the ability to. They will charge you the full amount for the data usage for the times you've used it if caught."
Have no broadband at home right now, so with Nokia (E51) running JoikuSpot Premium I used 6 GB last month. During last 10 days of November I used 4 GB so far. The data used only by the phone (I usually work on my MacBook at home) when I'm away from home is negligible comparing what I use working on my Mac.
The good thing is that I have a data plan with no limits at all, for which I pay a flat rate.
The plan is 5 years old (you can't buy it right now) and I'm based in Poland, Europe.
The good thing is that I have a data plan with no limits at all, for which I pay a flat rate.
The plan is 5 years old (you can't buy it right now) and I'm based in Poland, Europe.
AT&T does show you on the online bill... and they've recently redesigned the site, so it was fairly easy to find.
I use 50-100 MB/month, which is probably on the low side. If I am doing anything with a lot of traffic, I turn on WiFi (which generally has better throughput than AT&T). So streaming audio or video "doesn't count." I also keep things like Twitter turned off, since they drain the battery fairly quickly.
All in all, I'm a fairly lightweight user, so 50MB is probably a lower bound. But it's also a factor of 100 below 5 GB. Short of tethering a home network through the phone, it's hard to imagine usage going over 5 GB.
I use 50-100 MB/month, which is probably on the low side. If I am doing anything with a lot of traffic, I turn on WiFi (which generally has better throughput than AT&T). So streaming audio or video "doesn't count." I also keep things like Twitter turned off, since they drain the battery fairly quickly.
All in all, I'm a fairly lightweight user, so 50MB is probably a lower bound. But it's also a factor of 100 below 5 GB. Short of tethering a home network through the phone, it's hard to imagine usage going over 5 GB.
Comment by
bmclaugh
: Nov 17 2009 05:40 AM
: Nov 17 2009 05:40 AM
So isn't the better question -- or perhaps the more apparent question, given replies to this thread -- why are Droid users reporting usage an order of magnitude higher than iPhone users?
Seriously. This isn't a one-is-better, but more curiosity. Other than the one guy using 8GB for podcasts, everyone with an iPhone is saying 200-400MB/month, with most replies in the 200MB range, and yet we have Droid folks easily eating up 1 GB/month.
I'd love to understand that dynamic.
-Brett
Seriously. This isn't a one-is-better, but more curiosity. Other than the one guy using 8GB for podcasts, everyone with an iPhone is saying 200-400MB/month, with most replies in the 200MB range, and yet we have Droid folks easily eating up 1 GB/month.
I'd love to understand that dynamic.
-Brett
---
Brett McLaughlin
O'Reilly Media, Inc.
"I teach"
email: brett@oreilly.com
phone: 214.771.8758
twitter: @oreillybrett
Brett McLaughlin
O'Reilly Media, Inc.
"I teach"
email: brett@oreilly.com
phone: 214.771.8758
twitter: @oreillybrett
My phone last month was around 300MB worth of uses, however I only used the phone for about 2 weeks of that month. I did use it heavily. However, I did not use things like pandora for fear of being charged or penalized by the 5GB rule. Today I contacted verizon and was told by a rep who has the droid and the unlimited plan, that there IS NO limit. That is for broadband accounts only. As long as you use your droid to stream etc and it is legal content (i.e. Pandora and not bearshare etc) you are perfectly fine. She said she streams pandora all day everyday and I am free to do the same. Hopefully this sheds some light on all the rumors out there about the limits :-)
Comment by
Owachi
: Nov 19 2009 02:19 PM
: Nov 19 2009 02:19 PM
I just found a free app that will monitor your data usage and alert you when you reach a specified limit..
It's called 3G Watchdog, and so far it's working well.
Here is a link to some info on it: http://www.androlib....tchdog-zzA.aspx
Hope this helps
John.
It's called 3G Watchdog, and so far it's working well.
Here is a link to some info on it: http://www.androlib....tchdog-zzA.aspx
Hope this helps
John.
this site makes it very difficult to answer... i had to sign up then click a link then come back to this page reclick the answer then search for the question. ugh.
i just got my droid on 1/9 and here are my stats so far in 8 days and i only installed PDANET today and only used it to update the AV on a netbook so less than 50 meg tethered (so far) my wife on the other hand is @ 86 meg total in the same amount of time but she mostly does facebook.
Data Usage
( 12/23 - 01/17 )
For your reference, your data usage is also shown in
Megabytes.
In Kilobytes 1,138,697 KB
In Megabytes* 1,113 MB
In Gigabytes* 2 GB
* Rounded up
this this is awesome for surfing. the battery lasted nearly 8 hours continuous at a high school wrestling meet, including apps like pandora and using the camera when one of the kids was on the mats.
i have used it with logmein to remote control my home computers, use OWA for work email. there is a citrix app coming which will allow me to remote my work computer as well. i can't imagine that i wont bump up against 5gig regularly, then again on a chocolate3 my data usage was nearly 1gb a month.
i just got my droid on 1/9 and here are my stats so far in 8 days and i only installed PDANET today and only used it to update the AV on a netbook so less than 50 meg tethered (so far) my wife on the other hand is @ 86 meg total in the same amount of time but she mostly does facebook.
Data Usage
( 12/23 - 01/17 )
For your reference, your data usage is also shown in
Megabytes.
In Kilobytes 1,138,697 KB
In Megabytes* 1,113 MB
In Gigabytes* 2 GB
* Rounded up
this this is awesome for surfing. the battery lasted nearly 8 hours continuous at a high school wrestling meet, including apps like pandora and using the camera when one of the kids was on the mats.
i have used it with logmein to remote control my home computers, use OWA for work email. there is a citrix app coming which will allow me to remote my work computer as well. i can't imagine that i wont bump up against 5gig regularly, then again on a chocolate3 my data usage was nearly 1gb a month.
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