How Much is 3GB of Data?
In our opinion, 3GB is perfect for light cell phone usage. It’s just the right amount for streaming music on a short commute to work, occasionally getting Google Maps directions, browsing the web, booking appointments, and some social media use.
3GB is about enough data to:
- Send and receive 250 emails per day
- Visit 5 websites per day
- Stream 1 hour of music per day
- Stream 2 minutes of SD video per day
- Share 2 photos on social media per day
Keep in mind you can always connect to Wi-Fi to use your phone as much as you want to; Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against your cellular data usage.
You can also download your favorite songs, playlists, or podcasts for offline listening, which saves data.
The best part about 3GB cell phone plans is how affordable they are.
We think they are perfect for people who are lighter cell phone users or frequently connected to Wi-Fi.
These plans can also be great options for a child getting their first phone.
Best 3GB Cell Phone Plans
- Overall best plan: US Mobile’s 5GB plan
- Best annual plan: Mint Mobile’s 4GB plan
- Best custom plan: Tello’s 5GB plan
- Best AT&T plan: Red Pocket’s 3GB plan
Best overall plan: US Mobile’s 5GB plan
US Mobile is a prepaid carrier that uses either the Verizon network or T-Mobile network for coverage.
Their 5GB plan comes in at just $15 per month, and it supports visual voicemail, MMS, VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, domestic roaming, and a free international data pass for eSIM compatible phones.
US Mobile also includes access on Verizon’s Nationwide 5G and Ultra Wideband 5G networks.
You can use the US Mobile application to easily monitor your data usage as well.
Pros:
- 5G access on Verizon
- Affordable monthly price
- Data usage analytics so you can easily monitor your average usage and upgrade or downgrade plans as you need
Cons:
- Hotspot is $5 extra to enable
- Data shuts off when data limit is reached
Best annual plan: Mint Mobile’s 4GB plan
Mint Mobile is a T-Mobile MVNO that has been making a splash in the industry.
The company is owned by Ryan Reynolds, and it has become known for offering premium wireless plans at an affordable price.
The secret? Mint Mobile sells their plans in bulk 3-month, 6-monbth, or 12-month packages.
The 4GB plan we recommend here is available for 3 months for $45 for new customers, which breaks down to $15 per month.
After your first three months, you can choose to renew the plan for the 12-month option for $180 to keep the same $15 per month rate.
Mint Mobile includes the mobile hotspot, access to T-Mobile’s 5G network, 4K video streaming, visual voicemail, MMS, and Wi-Fi calling.
Mint also supports activating their plan via eSIM if you have an eSIM compatible phone, and they offer plan add-ons for international calling and international data roaming.
Pros:
- Full-featured premium service at an affordable price
- Fast speeds on T-Mobile’s 5G network
- Hotspot included for free
- Unlimited 2G data after you reach your 4GB limit with no overage charges
Cons
- You’re committing to 3-months, 6-months, or 12-months of service at a time
- You need to pay a larger amount up front for your service
- If you want to switch to another carrier, you forfeit the remainder of your service period
Best flexible plan: Tello’s 5GB plan
Tello is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile for coverage.
We like their plans because they are customizable. You get to choose how many minutes and GBs of data you want each month.
Tello’s 5GB plan with unlimited minutes and texts comes out to $19 per month.
However, if you’d like, you can get the plan with 5GB, unlimited texts, and 100 minutes (which is still over one and a half hours of talk time per month) for just $16 per month.
Another cool thing about Tello is that they include free international calling to over 60+ countries with all of their plans.
Tello supports visual voicemail, MMS, the mobile hotspot, Wi-Fi calling (using the Tello application), VoLTE, and 5G access on T-Mobile’s 5G network.
Pros:
- Affordable and flexible plans to meet your needs
- Free international calling to 60+ countries included
- Easily manage multiple lines from a single account
Cons:
- International calling requires using Tello’s app
- Wi-Fi calling requires using Tello’s app
- You may need to enter APN settings to get cellular data working properly
Best AT&T plan: Red Pocket’s 3GB plan
Red Pocket is an MVNO that uses either AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile for coverage.
Their 3GB plan comes out to just $20 per month and includes unlimited minutes and texts.
Red Pocket supports VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, the mobile hotspot, and 5G access on AT&T’s 5G network.
Free international calling is also included with every Red Pocket plan. You can make unlimited phone calls for free to over 80+ included countries.
One down side to Red Pocket is that enabling visual voicemail is a $1 extra add-on.
Pros:
- 5G access on AT&T’s 5G network for fast data speeds
- Free unlimited international calling to over 80 countries
- Save $5/month by getting the 3GB annual plan
Cons
- Visual voicemail is a $1 add-on
- You may need to enter custom APN settings to get cellular data working
- No mobile application for managing your account
