How do you compare data plans for smart phones?

11 years ago

I have been looking for a way to compare 4g smart phone data plans in order to see who is lower or lowest but there is so little useful information that I have done nothing since my flip phone broke almost 12 months ago. Thank God we had two flip phones. I am considering smart phones... since there is such a bad selection of flip phones now. But choosing is frustrating so, I put off researching for several weeks or a month each time I look around. It has been almost a year soon.

Originally, I found a web site from Kim Komando (http://www.komando.com/dataplan-calculator/) but the rates shown in there seem old, they no longer match what I saw on the companies websites now. I recently found a new site (http://www.myrateplan.com/data_calculator/) but it was bad. Other similar places always want one to count things that one cannot really count.

For example: take the number of emails in a given time... a good chunk of my emails are junk emails that I delete so I cannot count those But I have to for the estimate to be somewhat accurrate (the rest of the emails go to the Junk Folder or get moved to other folders). So I have no way to tell how many I get (tried the obvious... not deleting them, not moving them and forgot!!!). Take counting "the number of web pages"... nothing out there gives me a monthly count so, no way to answer that; number of downloads... I do a small numbers but I have no idea how many times my software/Windows/Virus Checkers automatically download to stay updated; streaming... I do not even know what that is but then, what if I want to use that; get the idea how difficult this is????

So, if you comparison shopped some of these smart phone data plans, how did you do the compare? what tool(s) did you use?

I hate selecting a carrier and a certain amount only to find the next day that I got too big of a plan or too small of a plan. I am afraid if I do not select something, I may be on the way to waiting two years to replace the broken flip phone. TIA, Luis

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Elmer J Fudd
11 years ago
They're all pretty comparable among the market leaders, the smaller guys (like Sprint) can be a bit cheaper. But they're all expensive.

I wouldn't rely on a comparison website, get it straight from the horses' mouths. Use the carriers' websites, or better yet, visit the stores and let them give you a pitch with the information and prices they can offer you. They really don't differ all that much.
acraftylady
11 years ago
Most of the major carries have forums on their site and I think that's a good way to read about compalints and stuff. I agree all the good reliable service smart phones are expensive. I want a smart phone but can't afford to do it on verizon so will keep my talk and text phone as long as it holds out. I looked at the all in one plans for $50 a month but I am afraid how the service will be and since I don't have a home phone I need reliable calling service and I get that from verizon for I am afraid to switch to one of the bargain plans. Mary
Related Discussions
Transfering cell phone contacts to new smart phone?
Q
Comments (6)
I believe both do have bluetooth but I never learned to use it. I will check it out. owbist; I always forget about youtube. However, I didn't see anything useful in your list. Remember, I had essentially succeeded in making a sim card transfe, but the data was not complete. The one on point post from your list also indicated incomplete data fields. I actually found that my transfer was worse than I originally thought. It only transferred the contact name and lost both the fact that the next contact was identical and thus a subset, but also lost any indication of the type of phone (work, home etc) and listed ALL entries as 'mobile'.
...See More
cell phones, smart phones, iphones oh my!
Q
Comments (18)
1. There will be a sense of disconnection Smartphones have dramatically changed the way we communicate with other people. They made it easier and more accessible. Technology used to limit us as we were forced to languish in front of a landline while waiting for a call. Today people have become much closer to each other. Now, in order to talk with the desired person, a couple of touches on the smartphone are enough. However, the absence of this miracle gadget will make you feel separated from the world, which often leads to an acute feeling of loneliness. In addition, you may succumb to incessant boredom. 2. It will become harder to navigate without GPS The days of people using maps to get to the right place are almost gone. All smartphones are equipped with GPS, which helps us to reach our destination without much difficulty and wandering. Life has actually become much easier thanks to GPS, because this navigator shows us the right direction right down to the smallest turn. Therefore, in the absence of access to the global system, many people will not be able to correctly and quickly navigate in an unfamiliar area. Navigators have become such an integral part of our lives that most travel enthusiasts and those who often go on business trips can hardly imagine their lives without a smartphone with its indispensable GPS.
...See More
Smart phone uses--do you have?
Q
Comments (11)
As has been said, the caution that you read, Marie, is false and wildly exaggerated. There's no need for alarm. The advice above is the best - limit app procurement to the official sources, iTunes Store and Google Play. Thinking that an individual user can make any sense out of "researching" apps and reviewing permissions is a fool's errand. Apple and Google have standards and limitations for what apps can do in gathering user data, and they police what's offered on their respective sites. Among the hundreds of thousands of apps that are on offer, the number of rogue ones that slip through the screening are very, very small. Using the internet in any form - tablets, PCs, smartphones - involves a degree of tracking and use analysis that shouldn't be confused with an invasion of privacy. There's no one sitting in a dark room somewhere trying to decide whether to withdraw money from your bank account or break in your home since they can see you're not there. Proceed with comfort and without fear.
...See More
How Much Do You Pay for Phone, TV, Internet?
Q
Comments (39)
Yes, SW, we agree. When you have multiple users on any kind of data sharing system, it slows down. It's often not perceptible in real time, but it shows up as everything from ticks to pauses during HD streaming. I mentioned the ethernet connection as the most robust and stable, not as a necessity. It's the thing to compare the wi-fi to, given the same device/configuration. But that's assuming a short wire. I used to have to run a 100' ethernet cable up the stairs and through the maze every so often, before the double services, and it was noticeably slower than the 5' ones. :) LOL! Lukkiirish, I don't know about being a personal Google, but I often look things up. Like I looked up what my connection speeds were for this discussion. And why I didn't say what I actually pay for telecom because I'd have to parse too many bills to come up with a number. I can say that it seems to be in line with what others are paying for the bits I could compare off the top of my head. I do know a little about a lot of things and a lot about a few things, and I'm pretty good at researching the rest. :)
...See More
kudzu9
11 years ago
First, most providers charge you extra (often a lot extra) if you exceed a data plan cap. You might consider getting an unlimited data plan so you don't continually worry if you are going over. There are actually some out there that are reasonably priced. I have been a T-Mobile customer for many years and my unlimited data plan is $20/month. You, as a new customer, are unlikely to get that rate, but you should see what they are willing to do. T-Mobile has a little "calculator" on their web site where you choose the kinds of things you are going to do with your data plan and they help you pick the lowest usage category. Unlike a lot of companies, they also have some limited data plans where -- even if you exceed your cap -- they don't charge you extra, they just throttle your online speed down for the rest of the month.

I suggest you investigate several providers, and talk to them on the phone. As a new customer, they may offer you a special deal if you explain you are shopping around and keep asking them: "Is that the best deal you can offer me?"

I also see that Costco -- if you have access to one -- typically has phone kiosks in the stores that offer very good deals on new smartphones and plans.
acraftylady
11 years ago
Most of the major carriers don't offer unlimited anymore except maybe sprint? Verizon is $30 a month per phone for 2gigs each but they do have the family share plan now. Even exhisting customers on verizon with unlimited data can't keep it if they take a phone upgrade. Only way to keep unlimited on verizon now if you were granfathered in is to buy the phone at full price.

My friend has an Iphone on verizon and doesn't go over 2gigs a month and she says most people don't. I think even the all in one plans throttle you after a certain amount I heard and you are paying a good chunk for the phone too. I looked at an all in one plan and the phone I wanted was $200. For me I have decided there are so many free wifi connections I can use while traveling I will just do that with my tablet and be happy.

I have unlimited texting on my cell and you would be surprised at what you can do with that. I can send an receive tweets from twitter. I can also use googel a little by text so if I need to find a store location or something I can type in the name of the store and town and google will text me back with locations in that area. My email also has the option of mail forwarding so I can have it forwared to my cell as text and respond back. Mary
kudzu9
11 years ago
Mary is right that unlimited plans can throttle you back if you are a data hog, which typically means you are streaming movies and music heavily each day. Most people with unlimited plans don't experience that. And it's also true that 2GB will be fine if all you are doing is a "normal" amount of web surfing, emailing, etc.

How do you compare data plans for smart phones?

Comments (5)

Elmer J Fudd

acraftylady

Related Discussions

kudzu9

acraftylady

kudzu9

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US