Comprehensive Calculator Guide
This calculator compares two mobile plans by their total cost over the contract or comparison period, including any upfront or device fee, and works out the price per gigabyte of each, so you can see which is really cheaper. A SAR 150 plan costs SAR 1,800 over a year and a SAR 230 plan SAR 2,760, so the first saves SAR 960, even though the second is cheaper per GB.
Total cost, not the monthly price
What you pay is the upfront or device fee plus the monthly price times the months. A device plan can look dearer monthly yet beat buying the phone outright, or the reverse. Enter prices including 15% VAT, as on the bill.
Check your real data use in your phone settings or the carrier’s app. If you use only half your allowance, your real price per GB is double the advertised one.
How to Use
- Enter each plan’s monthly price, data and upfront fee.
- Enter the comparison or contract length in months.
- Press “Compare plans” to see each total, the cheaper plan and the saving.
Formula Used
Total = upfront + monthly price × months | Price per GB = monthly price ÷ data
Practical Examples
- Example 1
- 30 GB at SAR 150 vs 100 GB at SAR 230 for 12 months: SAR 1,800 vs 2,760, the first saves SAR 960, though its GB costs SAR 5 against 2.3.
- Example 2: device on plan or cash
- SAR 350 a month with a phone for 24 months vs SAR 3,500 cash plus a SAR 175 plan: 8,400 vs 7,700, so buying outright saves SAR 700.
Important Tips
- Compare over the full contract.
- Ask about early-termination fees.
- Consider home internet if most of your use is at home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Comparing monthly prices with different upfront fees.
- Buying far more data than you use.
- Mixing prices with and without VAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I see my monthly data use?
- In your phone’s mobile data settings or the carrier’s app.
- Is a plan with a phone cheaper than buying it?
- Not always; add up both over the contract, as in example 2.
- Include VAT?
- Yes, enter prices with 15% VAT as on the bill.