Smartphones: avoid data "sticker shop"

[wolfie]

Another one from Consumerist. Check out how much data typical use of various apps will consume, and avoid nasty surprises when you open your bill at the end of the month.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

No big surprise IMHO. I've had to change the data plan 3 times since I bought my first smartphone 2 years ago.

Started out with the 200MB plan, then had to up to 300MB after a month or two of overages (my Mom watches that printed mobile bill each month like a hawk) Then after 3 months of going over the 300MB, the next plan up was 2GB.

Now I'm on a mobile share (unlimited talk/text ) with 1GB shared data for both mine and my brother's phones (chose 1GB data after talking with a CSR and my data usages for the previous 3 months had not gone over 1GB so I was really paying too much for too much data and not getting enough minutes with the old plan.)

So yeah, you really have to watch what's going on and it helps to find out from all the options out there to figure out what is best for your current needs. And as your needs change the plan needs to as well. And if you can't find a plan that fits, then look into changing your carrier.

There's something out there for everybody - just have to sometimes do a little looking but it's out there. Just take your needs and budget into mind and go from there.