To those who use several tens of gigabytes of mobile data per month, what are you using it on?

CircularIllusion on 25/12/2020 - 20:45

I was reading a post on Whirlpool where someone said their kid burns through 20 GB of mobile data in 6 days and it got me thinking about how popular the 80 GB per month plans are on OzBargain.

When I was playing Pokemon Go, I was burning through 8 GB of data per month. Obviously, Pokemon Go is mostly just refreshing geographical and game-specific data which is not all that heavy in terms of usage. I'm currently using less than 2 GB per month as I'm working from home. Obviously video streaming is going to use a lot more than that and I can imagine that some people are pretty much always watching Netflix or some similar service. I also know that some people don't have their own home internet and they just do everything through their mobile data.

With that said, I wanted to see what the typical OzBargainer uses all their mobile data on because I sure as hell couldn't figure out what to use it on when my 240 GB Boost plan recently expired with 190 GB unused.

Mobile

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2020 - 20:49
    +52

    Linux ISOs.

    • Nugs on 25/12/2020 - 20:52
      +4

      filling up those mega sized hdd's
      .

    • CyberMurning on 25/12/2020 - 20:55
      +16

      Live streaming Linux ISO to be exact

      • xuqi on 25/12/2020 - 21:54
        +11

        4K+ naturally.

        • Kangal on 26/12/2020 - 15:51
          +7

          Don't forget the high-bitrate, HDR10+, and at 120fps!
          Those some quality ISO's

        • ntz88 on 26/12/2020 - 22:18
          +2

          definitely. Once you get a taste of the 4k, hard to go back down

    • kaleidoscope on 26/12/2020 - 18:46
      +1

      Believe it or not this is what i did when i got my first adsl con (512kbps download) back in 2004. Not that I needed them, but was the best way to max utilise bandwidth for stress testing.

    • serpserpserp on 26/12/2020 - 21:05

      I came here to say this also.

    • Hirolol on 26/12/2020 - 22:23

      What do you do with Linux iso?

      • matt-ozb on 26/12/2020 - 23:50
        +14

        sit back and relax and enjoy

      • megaclix on 27/12/2020 - 10:49
        +1

        Watch them race. On the Grid. Stunning.

      • murkywater on 27/12/2020 - 14:56

        chill

      • [Deactivated] on 27/12/2020 - 17:11
        +17

        It's a joke - it usually refers to archives of movies, music, games, tv, etc (often pirated) but call it Linux ISOs to pretend it's legal stuff.

        • capslock janitor on 28/12/2020 - 12:14

          ohhh

        • Forfiet on 29/12/2020 - 20:49
          +1

          And some people with multiple raspberry pi's and computers actually like to experiment with different Linux distributions…… Or am I the only one :(

          • [Deactivated] on 29/12/2020 - 20:51
            +4

            @Forfiet: You’re the only one.

    • dust on 28/12/2020 - 11:56
      +4

      Subscriptions to OnlyISOs.

  • AustriaBargain on 25/12/2020 - 21:07
    +2

    Increasingly, just to pull large files off my cloud storage to send attached to emails and iMessage and Facebook messages etc from my phone. Apple looks like they want raw photo format to be a standard for phones soon, so good luck to anyone thinking they can keep their cell data to single digits.

    • netjock on 26/12/2020 - 17:18
      -2

      Apple has always colluded to keep as much of your money as possible.

      • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2020 - 18:59
        +15

        Unlike other companies who conspire to take as little of your money as possible? If you look at some of Steve Ballmer's products and decisions over the years, you may be forgiven for thinking that was his intended strategy. Kids don't even understand what you're talking about when you say "remember Zune".

      • cheapcheapimabird on 27/12/2020 - 09:39
        +3

        That’s why Apple uses HEIC?

      • pandamninator on 27/12/2020 - 20:46
        +6

        TIL Apple own all mobile networks in Australia

    • kaleidoscope on 26/12/2020 - 18:48
      +1

      well apple can do what ever they want, who wants sync photos over cellular data?

      • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2020 - 18:58

        People taking lots of photos might. You're at a wedding or whatever, recording 4K 60fps video too. You may want to upload the whole video to free up space for more photos. Or upload the raw photos you then do take straight to the cloud.

    • cheapcheapimabird on 27/12/2020 - 09:40
      +3

      If you think RAW will ever be a default format for a consumer you don’t understand what it’s for

      • AustriaBargain on 27/12/2020 - 10:57

        I think you're wrong and time will quickly prove you wrong. Within just a few years it'll be seen as a standard consume format that lets you make changes like exposure easier.

        • skittlebrau on 27/12/2020 - 12:21
          +2

          DNG is the closest thing we have to a 'standardised' RAW format, but the problem is that adjustments you make in Adobe Camera Raw (the software behind RAW processing in Photoshop and Lightroom) can't be carried across to a non-Adobe application that can read DNG.

          I don't think it's impossible, but it'll be a long time before Nikon, Canon, Sony and the others all agree to give up their proprietary RAW formats.

          Even with smartphones, we'll probably have an Android RAW standard and Apple will stick with ProRAW.

          • AustriaBargain on 27/12/2020 - 13:00
            -5

            @skittlebrau: Now why on Earth would Android and iPhone makers need or want to wait for Nikon, Canon, et al. to do something first. Apple already include raw on their Pro models in the default camera app, next year it'll probably be on all models, and by start of the year after it'll be a standard feature on Androids. It's how it works. The Androids complain something is impossible or stupid on iPhone, then a few months later they all copy it anyway and it just becomes what consumers expect from smartphones.

            • mahdoo on 28/12/2020 - 10:16
              +3

              @AustriaBargain: Taking photos in raw format (DNG) Has been supported in Android for years now…

              • digitalaxon on 29/12/2020 - 13:36

                @mahdoo: The limitation is that some manufacturers (my increasing frustration with Samsung) decided that their lower-end budget phones should only save in JPEG format and only the higher more expensive ones have the ability to save in raw…

                Software should push the hardware to its full limits, you've paid for the electronics, you should be able to fully utilise what it can do and not be artificially limited because some executive doesn't want to hurt sales of higher end more expensive handsets.

                It's about time all manufacturers stop crippling hardware (and give people the right to repair to avoid making electronics disposable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npd_xDuNi9k ) </rant>

            • dji1111111 on 28/12/2020 - 10:25
              -1

              @AustriaBargain: Typical clueless iPhone user lol
              Android had RAW format option years before Apple had it. If you have no idea what you are talking about, at least do a quick google search before you spread false info

              • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 13:18
                +2

                @dji1111111: It sounds like you don't know that iPhone also has had raw for years. What's now, other than a few tweaks to it, is that the option is built into the default camera app now.

                • dji1111111 on 28/12/2020 - 19:42
                  -2

                  @AustriaBargain: You're the one who posted a bunch of non sense about how Apple had it before Android and Android simply copied it lol
                  Apple copied split screen as well which Android has had for years. Same with file sharing over WiFi which they just plastered on their fancy name Airdrop. Screen size was copied as well after long claiming it's stupid for phones to be that big.

                  There you go. That's enough to make a massive gaping hole in your first post. They both have features that were introduced first but Android has had far more features introduced flrst than Apple. Apple users just don't know it because they are too busy only using their Apple phones and believe the hype about how innovative Apple is

                  • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 22:02
                    +2

                    @dji1111111: No I said Apple is going to turn it into a standard feature before Android does. You made all the assumptions about me saying Android didn't have it at all and you assumed I said iPhone didn't have it at all until a few months ago. You were wrong on both those points too.

                    • dji1111111 on 29/12/2020 - 05:31
                      +1

                      @AustriaBargain: What a joke. You don't even know what you wrote yourself? It clearly says that that's how it normally works (ie. Android copies Apple and introduce it as standard feature a year later)
                      If you don't even know what your wrote even with the original post right in front of you, you are on some strong stuff and nobody can help you lol

                    • mahdoo on 29/12/2020 - 09:57

                      @AustriaBargain: It's a standard feature built into the default camera app on Android phones.. Not sure what your point is, but you guys should quit fan boying each other.

                      My reply was more of just a FYI that Android has had this support (Built into the default camera app) for years now - Raw is nothing new.

                      We don't need a god damn fan boy fight in the comments section. Both Iphones and Android phones are good. Both sides copy each other - that is how business works.. Stop antagonising each other..

          • ApuN on 27/12/2020 - 17:02

            @skittlebrau: This should actually be quite positive for the DNG format. ProRAW is DNG 1.6. This means that the Apple software should be able to edit any DNG files (I haven't tested), not just ones created by an iPhone. It means it will be more likely that other photo editing software will also be able to edit DNG files.

            • skittlebrau on 28/12/2020 - 02:00
              +1

              @ApuN:

              It means it will be more likely that other photo editing software will also be able to edit DNG files.

              My main concern is whether DNG adjustments are maintained when viewing and editing across different applications. I'd love for that to be the case, but my initial feeling is that we're a long way off that happening.

              • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 22:51

                @skittlebrau: When you import a raw photo into photoshop you do have to change it before it imports, choose your adjustments. It's not like an ordinary layer that you can adjust whenever you want from the layers panel.

      • kaleidoscope on 27/12/2020 - 15:10
        -1

        You’re thinking of the olden days where some pro photographer would download the raw photos from a digital camera tweak things on a workstation…

        The reality is there is a big market out there for photo apps on mobile devices and raw photos will bring the best out of them. Consumer doesnt need to know anything about raw format and all technicalities… Apple’s already taken first step on this front, rest will follow soon.

        • netjock on 27/12/2020 - 20:54

          With camera sensors as they are why should people even bother. Just another fancy feature to waste more time.

        • whitelie on 28/12/2020 - 12:35
          +1

          How has Apple taken the first steps?
          I was taking RAW/DNG photos on my LG G5 nearly 5 years ago lol…edit in Lightroom mobile or on desktop/laptop

        • Freezies on 28/12/2020 - 16:11

          Apple's taken the first step? Android has had it since Lollipop which is over 5 years ago…

      • netjock on 27/12/2020 - 20:55

        Until they get bill shock they won't realise why jpegs were invented. The more advanced we get the more backward people get.

  • JimmyF on 25/12/2020 - 21:15
    +26

    For kids its normally videos. They just watch endless video content on all the social media platforms etc. It consumes a LOT of data.

    • mskeggs on 25/12/2020 - 22:37
      +3

      Agreed. Snapchat, Tik tok and YouTube have my kids churn through a terabyte of nbn data and 5-20gb each of mobile data.
      Although a fair chunk of the nbn data will be steam game files too.

  • Blue Cat on 25/12/2020 - 22:16

    I usually jump on those 3 month SIM only deals which usually averages 20GB per month.

    Atleast 15GB+ gets used on YouTube per month, the rest is messaging apps, maps etc.

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 25/12/2020 - 23:28
    +2

    P.B

    • Daabido on 25/12/2020 - 23:32
      +3

      and J?

    • kaleidoscope on 26/12/2020 - 18:49

      punk buster?

    • blehgg on 28/12/2020 - 14:26
      +2

      Spelt wrong?

      PH
      < Snare drum >

  • No Username on 25/12/2020 - 23:35
    +7

    Pretty sure most ppl on OZB are just using Pirate Bay or Usernet.

    • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2020 - 19:01
      +1

      Kids these days actually torrent straight to their phones, not something that's immediately obvious to older folks why you'd want to do that. But kids grew up with smartphones, they probably wonder why you'd bother putting a torrent client on a desktop. Or why you'd bother buying a desktop.

      • Homr on 26/12/2020 - 20:07
        +2

        I can't believe what I just read, torrent straight to their phones? Really?

        • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2020 - 20:17

          Yup. Check the play store side load and builds.io top 10, torrent clients are in both

          • Homr on 26/12/2020 - 20:34
            +1

            @AustriaBargain: I'm surprised kids even use torrents. Thought torrents were old tech and I would've thought there is something newer in this day and age.

        • tout va bien on 26/12/2020 - 20:34

          Yes, the Stremio app is a good example

        • infinite on 26/12/2020 - 23:57
          -1

          How stupid are they ?

        • netjock on 27/12/2020 - 20:56
          +1

          You can. Haven't you seen all these kids running their phones on linux distros and swapping distros faster than sheets flying off the dunny roll.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/12/2020 - 21:16

        Only reason i torrent through my phone is so my PC is free of issues and so i dont get an infringement notice from my ISP. Also i have been known to do like 500gb a month before.

        • abb on 29/12/2020 - 20:09

          so i dont get an infringement notice from my ISP

          Prefer to get them from your phone company?

          • skyva on 30/12/2020 - 01:18

            @abb: I heard that phone companies share a lot of IP's so they don't always know which Ip does what. More so than ISP's. So strangely, modern tech is less easy to trace.

    • Smol Cat on 27/12/2020 - 18:53
      -1

      Isn’t Pirate Bay dead? Last time I checked they weren’t anything close to what they used to be years ago. There seemed to be heaps of fake files or bait files on there now after all the law suits and serve raiding fisacos.

      • No Username on 27/12/2020 - 19:36

        Wouldn't know. Haven't pirated anything since I was 13.

      • whoopdeedoo on 29/12/2020 - 17:35

        tbh (proxies) are still my goto site. lots of fake links though.

  • SteveBuscemi on 25/12/2020 - 23:35
    +7

    An hour of Youtube a day at 1080p is over 50-60 GB/month. And it tends to be lower bitrate than many other services.

    • No Username on 27/12/2020 - 19:38
      +6

      More closer to 10-20 GB/month according to my usage at 1440p@60.

  • hasher22 on 26/12/2020 - 01:59
    +1

    Kids usually use it on youtube/videos. Nothing unusual there.

    I roughly use 40gb per month because I just can't be bothered connecting my wifi.

    What do I use it on?
    My data statistics state:
    - Facebook (i usually mindlessly scroll through the video section before in bed)
    - Instagram
    - Web Browser
    - Spotify

    • CircularIllusion on 27/12/2020 - 13:49
      +2

      I roughly use 40gb per month because I just can't be bothered connecting my wifi.

      I was wondering if I'd see a response like this. I know at least one person who's the same.

      • BatmanBeer on 30/12/2020 - 06:52

        I had 60gb a month on Telstra. It became habit to turn off my WiFi once I left home. Automated it with IFTTT, never managed to get it to turn WiFi back on when I got back home.

        Sometimes I'd forget or I couldn't be bothered to turn on my WiFi. It was faster internet than my NBN.

        Fyi, I didn't even scratch 10gb a month. I downgraded to 20gb a month, and now I don't even scratch 2gb a month. Having that much data can change your consumption mentality. I knew I could go ham on watching videos on the train.

  • TheBird on 26/12/2020 - 04:19

    Jeez. I get 15gig for the whole year and last year ended up with 10+ left over.

    • MontyMacaw on 26/12/2020 - 10:30
      +21

      Why even bother? Buy a pigeon and have some company.

      • TheBird on 26/12/2020 - 17:34

        Tried that. Every time I sent a pigeon SMS, it didn't get through. Maybe I have my settings wrong?

    • md333 on 26/12/2020 - 14:01
      +1

      Similar here, I have 80GB for the year because it was the cheapest option, and had 75 left at the end. I go through a lot more on the NBN though, I guess people who don't have wifi available all day at home and work could go through a lot more. I think probably 4 of my 5 GB a year happens in a couple of weeks of holidays or other travel.

      • TheBird on 26/12/2020 - 17:37

        I just don't use a lot on my mobile. If I'm watching media, I'll want it on a decent size screen. If I download something, I'll do it to my computer.

        I guess if I was using public transport, I might use more data.

      • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2020 - 19:02

        You you find yourself still deliberately not loading videos while on mobile, whereas you would if you were on wifi? Or downloading a certain app because it is "over 200MB"?

        • TheBird on 27/12/2020 - 16:04

          It's not necessarily the data. I don't like to watch videos on a small screen. I don't watch them on my mobile when I'm on wifi either. I'm not even a fan of reading articles on such a small screen.

      • ely on 28/12/2020 - 09:07

        Yeah, 6GB/month for $12.50/month and I normally use ~2GB/month (pre-COVID I'd sometimes go work in a cafe and use it as a mobile hotspot for my laptop, so would sometimes use more, hence the excessive 6GB allowance).

        I don't really watch videos or TV, not on mobile, not at home, not at work. Generally don't listen to music either, and generally the only way to chew through this much data is media consumption.

    • Stopback on 05/01/2021 - 21:33

      I use Google maps for driving it consumes like 20 mb a day.

      Over a month that's 600 mb. Easy to get over a gig a month

      • TheBird on 05/01/2021 - 23:03

        I don't drive much these days, but I was doing about 3 hours driving, 4 days a week. I guess Waze uses less. I didn't go through anywhere near as much as that. Maybe you drive more.

  • b0rnwithabeard on 26/12/2020 - 08:02
    +1

    mostly videos - i have an hour+ commute to work on the train each way so i end up watching Netflix a lot

    • onetwothreefour on 26/12/2020 - 08:15
      +8

      I use Netflix on the train too but I download it at home over wifi first.

      • OldnBroke on 26/12/2020 - 14:47
        +3

        Now that's the OzBargain spirit. I can't imagine doing it another way except on the odd occassion when one is ill-prepared.

      • b0rnwithabeard on 28/12/2020 - 11:07

        i’m too indecisive for that lol

  • onetwothreefour on 26/12/2020 - 08:14

    Browsing ozbargain.

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