The data-devouring smartphones

Although carrier data plans increasingly include fewer voice calls and more data, they never seem to be enough. Smartphone users are the ones who complain the most about how little use they got out of their monthly tariff. It was not an unfounded feeling. A study by Ericsson, specialists in network infrastructure, confirms it. On average, Android phones consume 2.2 gigabytes of data per month. iPhones come in at 1.7 gigabytes, while Windows Phone, it had to have some virtue, is the most economical with 1.4 gigabytes. The origin of this waste, despite using the same applications, is due to several factors. One of them lies in the version of the operating system used. Specifically, one of Android's weaknesses. Although only 512 megabytes of RAM are needed to install Android 4.4, the latest update, its mobile fleet still features a disparity of versions. Another factor is poor management of application closure. Even when they are no longer used, they continue to run in the background, so they connect to the network and download data. One of the factors highlighted in the study is the relationship between screen size and data consumption. The larger the screen, the higher the consumption. If we take into account that the phablet trend is a phenomenon closely linked to Android, the results are easier to understand.