Searching for the right mobile data promo for gaming is both easy and challenging. Easy, because there’s an array of unlimited and game-specific plans available. Challenging, because the sheer number of options could be pretty overwhelming. You might have asked yourself several times: What is the best mobile data promo for my gaming hobby?
To help you with your queries, this guide provides tips on choosing and optimizing the right data plan and explains why DITO Telecommunity's load promos are perfect for your gaming needs.
The amount of mobile data you need for gaming depends on the games you play, how frequently you play, and how many hours you spend in each game. On average, mobile games use 20 to 300 MB of data per hour. Casual games like word games and puzzles, when connected to data, will consume around 20 MB per hour, so if you tend to play such games for two to three hours, you will likely consume around 60 MB.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), meanwhile, may consume 150 MB of data or more per hour. Many gamers reportedly spend up to 25 hours per week on such games, and if you’re similar to them, that means you consume around 3,750 MB (or 3.75 GB) of data weekly.
The more players and in-game activities, and the higher the graphics quality, the higher your data consumption will be.
Learning about the average data consumption of the games you play will give you a clearer picture of your gaming needs and help you make more informed decisions when choosing which promo to subscribe to.
Monthly gaming with 100 GB to consume sounds more than sufficient, right? Well, the more accurate answer is that it depends on what games you play and how many hours you spend on each. Playing an MMORPG will easily consume about 4 GB of data in three hours. If you play daily for a week, that’s instantly 28 GB of data consumption, and 120 GB per month, which already exceeds our imaginary cap.
That said, planning how much you play each month is key to maximizing your 100 GB of data. If you play for just three days a week and limit your gaming to only two hours, you’ll have plenty of unused data at the end of the month. The same can be said for low-data games.
The key is to figure out how much data you consume on average when you play games — whether that’s just one game or multiple — and plan to fit those hours into your 100 GB cap.
You can look for the best mobile data promo in the Philippines to sustain your gaming, but know that what you consider “best” will only work to your advantage if you use several hacks to maximize your plan. Below are some tips that you can apply the next time you subscribe to a mobile game promo:
Subscribing to the right mobile data promo is winning half the battle when it comes to sustaining your online activities. The right plan is specifically important for gaming, where you can’t afford to get disconnected or interrupted while in the thick of a conclusive battle or a pivotal mission. Choosing a plan suitable for online gaming involves understanding the data it consumes and your own gaming habits. Here are some estimated MB consumption for popular games:
With this knowledge of average per-hour data consumption for mobile games, you can choose a plan that aligns with your personal gaming habits. For instance, if you only play Mobile Legends once a week, a 1.5 GB plan for a day is more than enough. Fortunately, you can choose between unlimited options and app-specific promos, like DITO’s FLEXPlan and App Combos.
Using mobile data is preferable if you’re connected to a 5G network, thanks to its faster speeds, lower latency, and higher bandwidth. If you want to maximize your promo, staying in a 5G area is ideal, as it gives you access to all these advantages. When your internet speed is excellent, you won’t suffer lag or buffering, and that will positively impact how you progress with your game.
While you are connected to a 5G network, you may share bandwidth with many users in your area. When you’re sharing the frequency with gamers, you will likely notice a slowdown in your internet speed. You can avoid such congestion by playing during off-peak hours, which vary by location. For instance, if you are near a school, break periods might yield more users online and fewer during late hours.
Your game application will help you save on mobile data and maximize your promo as well. Go to your game settings and do the following to reduce data usage:
These simple customizations can help you maximize your data in a way that you’ll spend a big chunk of it to progress in the game. When you want to play at a higher resolution or need to download an update, make these features optional, not compulsory, so you only use them when you’re sure your data plan can accommodate the extra data usage.
Knowledge is power when maximizing your data plan. Generally, you should know how much mobile data for gaming you typically use in a month and base all your next steps on that information. It will help to list the games you play first, especially if you play multiple titles, and note the number of hours you spend on each game per month. Then, calculate the data you consume in that period. By doing so, you would know whether your go-to data plan truly serves your gaming habits or if you need to switch.
Some mobile games let you play offline, which can drastically reduce your data usage. Check if any of the games you are into have this feature, and use it as much as possible. Offline mode is not only great for saving data for later, but also an excellent alternative when you are in a location without network connectivity. At least, you can still pass the time playing the games you like even without a signal!
When you can connect to a WiFi network, do so. For instance, if you’re visiting a cafe where you’re the only customer at the moment, or you’re waiting at a lobby with WiFi on. Those downtimes can be valuable opportunities to turn off your data for a while and use the network itself.
Of course, you should do this option sparingly, and plan how you would like to connect to shared WiFi. If you have WiFi at home, connect to it for crucial missions that you don’t want to get interrupted by connectivity issues.
You can also determine the best mobile data promo when you’re downloading a game app from Google Play or the App Store. Sometimes, you will have no choice but to download a game using your mobile data because you’re in a remote area without WiFi, or you simply can’t wait to get your hands on the game.
At times like those, knowing the game's file size and device requirements will give you an accurate idea of whether your data plan can handle the file transfer, or if you just have to muster more patience until you can connect to WiFi.
Sometimes, data-capped plans would not cut it, especially when you’re training for competitive gaming or simply can’t get enough of playing. In such cases, going for an unlimited mobile data promo is the right move, and in the Philippines, getting one from DITO is a practical choice. You can choose from our prepaid Unli 5G promos or postpaid FLEXPlans for unlimited 5G data access and generous 4G data allocations, and never want for data again for your gaming needs.
Check all the promos at our eShop!
Yes, you can use mobile data for gaming, especially if you are playing mobile games. With a mobile data connection, you can play your favorite games anywhere there is coverage, practically extending your playtime and letting you grind more levels or complete more in-game tasks.
Just make sure that your data plan can accommodate the average hourly data usage of your game and the hours you play. Otherwise, you will get interrupted.
Between 4G and 5G, the network that's better for gaming will depend on the connectivity available in your area. Of course, if only 4G is detectable, then it’s better than nothing. That said, 5G is superior in speed, bandwidth, and low latency, so long as you’re within a network coverage area. So, it really depends on your location.
Whether 5G is better than WiFi depends on where you’re playing your game. Some WiFi connections may be congested and overused, which makes connecting to 5G more ideal. On the other hand, if the 5G signal is not strong in your location, then it’s better to connect to your home WiFi in the meantime to avoid interruptions when you play.
Maximizing your mobile data plan for gaming is a matter of understanding your game's requirements and your own habits. Once you learn how much data you consume for each game, you can choose your subsequent plans to suit your needs better.
Fortunately, DITO has a good range of options for you. From Mobile Legends: Bang Bang-specific plans to unlimited postpaid FLEXPlan, our selection is sure to satisfy your gaming needs wherever and whenever.
Check out our App Combos, prepaid, and postpaid promos today!