Many people do not know the difference between
WiFi data and cell data (LTE, 4G). WiFi allows your phone or
tablet to connect to the Internet via a router. You need to be
to be in the range of a router and connect to the network in
order to access the Internet. Cellular data allows your phone or
tablet to connect to the Internet via a cell phone signal. You
need to be in the range of a cell phone tower to access the
Internet. When you use your phone to access the Internet without
WiFi, you are using up the monthly allotment of data your cell
phone plan allows. Another important distinction to know,
especially for the security conscious, cell data is encrypted so
it is safer than public Wi-Fi.
Think of two types of data, background data is data that is used
behind the scenes by apps and the operating system (iOS,
Android, etc.). This can also include data from actions you are
aware of such as downloading email messages. Apps on your phone
use background data even when you are not using the app. You can
individually turn off background data for apps, such as Chrome,
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat when you are not
using them. If you do not have an unlimited plan it is very
advantageous to turn off background data. It will turn back on
automatically when you use the app and off again when you close
it.
Foreground data is data that you deliberately use, such as
streaming videos, derping the internet, downloading a new app,
etc. This is where WiFi comes in handy if you do not have an
unlimited data plan. Also, WiFi is often faster, under the right
conditions.
However, WiFi drains the battery quicker. It works by sending
and receiving a microwave radio signal through the air to a
Wireless Access Point. Radio waves are essentially electricity
from your battery that has been converted into a specific
frequency, and pushed out of your device through an antenna.
Ideally, you might set your WiFi to be off all the time, then
turn it on when you are home using your WiFi, or when you are
out and want to download large amounts of data, such as a movie
or Facebook video.
If you spend more time connected to WiFi networks than cellular,
leave your WiFi turned on. If not, it is advantageous to keep it
turned off and save your battery. If you travel internationally,
use WiFi to avoid expensive charges for international roaming.
Bottom line, if you have an unlimited data plan, the difference
between WiFi and cell data is battery usage. If you do not have
unlimited data, then the difference can be costly from overage
charges, if you exceed your limit. Both are automatically
available on smartphones.
Other may have caught on to this battery
saver idea as OpenSignal analyzed a 90-day period beginning on
Dec. 1, 2017 and found the time spent on WiFi dropped for
three of the four major U.S. carriers compared to the first
quarter of 2017, due to the growth in unlimited data plans.
Incidentally, on an
Android phone, if you go into settings, tap “Data usage”, and
then tap the Facebook app icon, you can then select “Restrict
app background data.” You can also go into the settings in the
actual Facebook app (found under “More” after you open
Facebook), uncheck “autoplay videos” and set it to “WiFi
only”. Now Facebook does not add to cell data unless you are
using it. In addition, there is another data saving setting on
the phone to update all apps only when connected to WiFi.