Is Your Phone Plan Worth It? How to Tell in Under 5 Minutes

Most of us set up a phone plan and forget about it. It auto-pays each month, and as long as we’re getting signal and not going over on data, we assume everything’s fine.

But what if you're overpaying? What if you're being charged for features you don’t use—or worse, getting bad service for a premium price?

You could be wasting hundreds of dollars a year—without even knowing it.

The good news? You can do a full phone plan check-up in under 5 minutes. Here’s how:

Step 1: Know What You’re Paying For

Start by pulling up your most recent phone bill. You can usually find it in your carrier’s app or in your email if you receive digital bills. Look for a detailed PDF or billing summary—not just the total charged.

Here’s what to look for:

Breakdown of Your Bill

Scan for these common charges:

• Monthly service fee – Your base plan cost (e.g. “Unlimited Plan” for $60)
  
  
• Device payment – If you financed your phone, this is the monthly installment (e.g. “iPhone 14 Payment: $25/mo”)
  
  
• Insurance – Optional device protection (usually $7–$17/month)
  
  
• Line access fees – Some carriers charge per device on your plan ($10–$25)
  
  
• Add-ons – Hotspot data, international calling, premium voicemail, streaming services
  
  
• Taxes and fees – Regulatory charges, 911 fees, universal service fund, etc.
  
  
• Overage charges – Extra fees for going over data, minutes, or texts (if not unlimited)

Highlight anything you didn’t realize you were paying for. Many users are shocked to discover they’ve been paying for things like mobile hotspot or device insurance they never asked for.

Step 2: Look at Your Actual Usage

Now that you know what you’re paying for, it’s time to see if you’re actually using it.

Start with your data usage.

If you’re paying for unlimited data but only using 2GB/month… you're probably overpaying.

Here’s how to check your data usage:

On iPhone (iOS):

1. Go to Settings
   
   
2. Tap Cellular
   
   
3. Scroll to the Cellular Data section
   
   
4. Look under “Current Period” to see your data usage

Note: This section doesn’t reset automatically with your billing cycle. You can reset it manually by scrolling down and tapping Reset Statistics at the start of your billing month.

On Android:

1. Go to Settings
   
   
2. Tap Network & Internet or Connections
   
   
3. Tap Mobile Network or Data usage
   
   
4. View your monthly data usage

You can also set data warnings, usage cycles, and view usage by app to better understand where your data goes.

Also check:

• Talk & text usage – Are you paying for unlimited minutes but barely make calls?
  
  
• Hotspot usage – If you’re paying extra for hotspot access but never use it, that’s an easy place to cut costs.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Coverage

Even the most “premium” plan is useless if your coverage is unreliable. Dropped calls, slow data, or no signal in key locations? That’s a red flag.

Why Coverage Varies by Location

Every carrier builds out its network differently. Some have stronger infrastructure in cities, while others perform better in rural or suburban areas. Even within a city, coverage can vary block by block depending on:

• Cell tower placement
  
  
• Network congestion
  
  
• Local interference (like buildings, hills, or weather)

That’s why your friend on a different carrier might have full bars while you’re struggling to get a text through—even in the same spot.

Use Goji’s Coverage Map

Our interactive coverage map takes the guesswork out of network quality.

Here’s how it works:

1. Open the Goji app
   
   
2. Tap the Coverage Map feature
   
   
3. Enter your address or zip code
   
   
4. Instantly see the signal strength, data performance, and 5G availability of each major carrier in your area

You can even explore different locations—like your home, office, or travel destinations—to see which carrier will give you the best experience.

If your current provider doesn’t have strong coverage where you are, it’s time to consider a switch.

Step 4: Compare Plans in Seconds

So, you’ve done your checks:

• You know what you're paying for
  
  
• You understand how much you actually use
  
  
• You’ve looked into your local coverage

If any of those raised red flags—like high costs, poor service, or underused features—it’s time to explore your options.

Goji makes that incredibly easy.

We match you with plans that fit your lifestyle—not just your location.

When you use Goji, we factor in:

• Your zip code
  
  
• Your actual data needs
  
  
• Your feature preferences (like hotspot, international calling, or streaming perks)
  
  
• Your budget

Talk to Chat Barry

Want a custom recommendation? Try Chat Barry—our AI-powered plan expert.

Just type in what you’re looking for.

Barry will immediately compare plans and show you better options—that’s way more fun than digging through carrier websites.

It’s fast. It’s free. And it could save you a ton of money.

Step 5: Set a Reminder for Next Year

Your phone habits change. So do plan prices and promos.

📆 Make it a habit to do a 5-minute phone plan check-up once a year. It’s like spring cleaning for your budget.

Set a calendar reminder or just check back in with Barry and the Goji app next time your bill starts creeping up.

FAQs: How to Know If Your Phone Plan Is Worth It

How do I find out what phone plan I’m on?

Check your carrier’s app or website under “My Plan” or “Billing.” It’ll show your plan name, monthly cost, and included features.

Where can I see how much data I’m using?

On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, and on Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage. You can also check your carrier’s app for more accurate billing-cycle data.

What are the hidden fees I should watch out for?

Look for charges like insurance, hotspot, voicemail, and line access fees. Many people pay for extras they don’t even use.

What’s the difference between my carrier and an MVNO?

MVNOs are smaller carriers that use the same towers as big ones but offer lower prices. Same network, different pricing.

Why is my coverage bad even though I have a “major carrier”?

Coverage depends on tower placement, signal strength, and local factors. That’s why Goji’s coverage map checks signal performance at your exact location.

How can I tell if I’m overpaying for my plan?

If you’re using less than you’re paying for—or have features you don’t need—you’re probably overpaying. Even small savings add up over time.

What if I want to keep my phone and number?

Most carriers let you keep both. Just make sure your phone is unlocked.