Is Cellular Data or Wi-Fi Better for Everyday Phone Usage?

People spend a lot of time on their phones. No, seriously, they spend A TON of time on their phones. We’re willing to bet that you’re even reading this article on your phone. But that’s okay—we don’t blame you. There’s a bunch of really cool stuff on there. That’s why we want to ensure you get the most out of your device.

The age-old question we’re here to cover today is whether cellular data or Wi-Fi is better for everyday phone usage. The answer to that isn’t quite as simple as you might think, which is why we’re going to go over the considerations you need to make when deciding which to use.

Look Into Your Phone and Internet Plans

Before you can determine which access point is best for you, you first need to look into the finer details of your phone and internet plans. Knowing what you have to work with is a crucial starting point.

Let’s start by looking into your cellular plan. Obviously, if you have data limits, you need to limit how much you use every month. Fortunately, most Americans have unlimited data plans these days. However, even if you fall in that category, that doesn’t mean you should always default to cell service. Many plans still limit how much data you can use per month before slowing down your connection speeds. These limits are usually pretty high, but most services have you share it with the other people on your plan.

As for at-home internet plans, the same thing can occur. It seems like you have unlimited data, but you’re usually limited to a certain amount each month. These restrictions are typically much higher than the ones your phone plan will have. Still, if you have someone in your house who downloads a lot of movies or video games, it is possible to reach it, which might cost you extra money.

Consider Your Environment

The next consideration you’ll need to make is your environment. Typically, cellular data will be the best choice if you’re out for the day. However, you can supplement it with Wi-Fi usage if you go to any places that offer it for free. If you’re traveling, though, phone data will be the only option.

Wi-Fi will be readily available when you’re at home, making it the better choice. However, that’s not always the case. The connection might not be strong enough if your router is in another room and the signal has to go through multiple walls. Other interruptions could affect your service as well. Many people wonder if metal roofs could affect their Wi-Fi or phone service, but more often than not, they won’t. Either way, you need to consider all potential interruptions when deciding.

Think About What You’re Doing

Finally, think about what you’re doing on your phone. Standard browsing on social media or researching on Google doesn’t take up much data, so cellphone services can easily handle that. However, streaming videos, music, or video games takes up a lot more network usage, which Wi-Fi is more equipped to handle. In the end, there’s no definitive answer on whether cellular data or Wi-Fi is better for your phone usage. It all depends on your current needs at the time.