100GB of data: How much is it and how long does it last?

100GB versus Unlimited

100GB is a huge chunk of data to have access to each month. It’s widely considered to be as close to an unlimited data plan as you can get without taking that final step. 

The first difference is that 100GB has a data cap on it - albeit a very large one! Unlimited, on the other hand, allows you to access the internet as much as you like (though some plans can include fair usage restrictions). 

Another key difference between the two is cost. An unlimited plan can be more expensive than a data bundle, so if you’re trying to follow a budget, you may wish to choose a 100GB plan. At Asda mobile, our unlimited bundles start from just £20 a month. 

Finally, you might find that unlimited plans have speed caps applied to them. If speed is important to you, make sure you read the small print before signing up to a SIM plan.

Should you have an unlimited plan over 100GB?

This is really down to preference, but here’s our take on unlimited versus a 100GB data bundle.

Pros of unlimited

• Never have to worry about running out of data each month
• You can keep your mobile data on constantly instead of connecting to Wi-Fi (which you may not even need to buy)
• Most unlimited plans have high speeds, so you won’t have to worry too much about buffering or lagging

Cons of unlimited

• They can be more expensive to buy, so make sure they’re in budget before committing
• On the same note, you could be paying for way more than you need if you don’t actually rely on your data all the time
• Despite the label ‘unlimited’, some plans may actually restrict your usage. They might not support connection of multiple devices, or they might slow down after a certain amount of time
• Speed caps can also vary across contracts 

Meanwhile, a 100GB data plan is almost the same as having unlimited data, except you’re less likely to have any small print restricting your usage, and you may be able to save some money each month. 

How long does 100GB of data last?

Before finding out how many hours 100GB of data will last each month, it’s helpful to understand how many MB (megabytes) or GB (gigabytes) each common activity on your smartphone consumes. 

Take a look at our table below:

As you can see, streaming video consumes the most data per hour. It’s also ramped up massively depending on the quality you choose to watch in. With 100GB of data though, streaming a lower quality of video isn’t something you have to really think about.

Scrolling through the internet uses the least amount of data each hour, so you don’t need a very large data bundle if this is all you plan to do. 

If you’re more interested in using your mobile data for downloading music and episodes, streaming videos, and playing high-quality content, you’ll want to know if 100GB can cope with these activities each month. Check out the table below to find out. 

How many hours will 100GB of data last for?

We’ve broken down how many hours 100GB of data will last for your favourite phone activities. Remember your allowance will usually refresh every 30 days, so if you know how much you tend to use each month, this will help you figure out if the following numbers are suitable for your lifestyle. 

*Calculated based on data consumption values in previous table - 100000MB or 100GB / XXMB or XXGB

As you can see, 100GB of mobile data allows you to do quite a lot on your smartphone! 

Your data should normally refresh every month or 30 days, so theoretically you have an average of 720 hours to fill a month. 100GB can last almost non-stop for the entire month, so you’d never have to connect to Wi-Fi if you didn’t want to. You could potentially save money by not even buying broadband and simply relying on your data instead! 

You could browse the internet and social media for over 1,000 hours and download songs for over 2,000 hours, which takes you well over a month. We wouldn’t advise a bundle as large as this if you only tend to use your mobile data for quick searches or checking on apps. 

If you download and stream high-quality content often then you could definitely take advantage of such a large chunk of data. 

Is 100GB of data enough for me?

If you’ve been on the lookout for a data plan that’s close to unlimited, 100GB is the one for you. 

1. Do you spend most of your phone time off Wi-Fi?
2. Do you stream a lot of high-quality video and audio content, like Netflix episodes, YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, and podcasts?
3. Do you want to be able to live stream content like game playthroughs, vlogs, and similar activities that require video and microphone capability?
4. Do you like to use your phone often while commuting, travelling, or otherwise not connected to a router?

If you answered yes to most (or all) of these questions, you’ll benefit from a bundle of this size. If you mostly use your mobile data for browsing, a 100GB bundle wouldn’t be appropriate, and you’d end up overpaying for a lot more data than you’d be using. 

SIM plans to suit you If you're looking for a great value SIM plan with no contract, look no further than Asda mobile! For just £25 a month you could get 100GB of data, as well as unlimited minutes and texts. You can also take advantage of 5G, Wi-Fi Calling, roam like you're home, and much more!    Buy 100GB SIM deal

If 100GB isn't right for you, check out our other data guides:

• 250MB
• 1GB
• 2GB
• 3GB
• 5GB
• 6GB
• 8GB
• 10GB
• 15GB
• 20GB
• 30GB
• 50GB

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more guides and recommendations.