Getting a Postpaid Plan in the Philippines: Best Offers to Check Out

Your smartphone is an extension of yourself. With just a few taps, you can shop, book flight tickets, and order food wherever, whenever. To enjoy these conveniences and stay connected, you have to make sure your device always has mobile data. But choosing the right mobile postpaid plan can be challenging since there are a lot of options out there.

Not to worry! This article lists the top postpaid plans in the Philippines, so you can easily compare offers and find one that suits you best. We’ve also included some tips for finding the right plan and getting the most out of your mobile data.

What is a Postpaid Plan?

A postpaid plan is a contract wherein you use your mobile network’s services and pay for them at the end of the month or the billing cycle. Think of it like paying for your electricity or water bills.

Usually, postpaid plans include unlimited calls and texts. The difference among offers lies in the data cap. 

Postpaid plans can be SIM-only, meaning you only pay for the network’s service. But they can also come with a smartphone, albeit with a smaller data allocation.

Postpaid vs Prepaid Plans: What is the Difference?

With a prepaid plan, you pay the network provider upfront to enjoy its services. In other words, you buy regular load to connect to the internet, send texts, and make calls. You can purchase load from sari-sari and online shops. 

To make the most of your load, you can subscribe to promos that usually include data and unlimited calls and texts to all networks. However, remember that a promo subscription has an expiry date. When your subscription ends, you’ll have to register again to enjoy the promo’s inclusions.

In contrast, you pay for a postpaid plan after you’ve used the services. Your service provider automatically refreshes your plan’s inclusions every month. You’ll then receive a monthly bill that shows your data usage and dues.

Prepaid plans are ideal for people on a budget who don’t use a lot of data. Generally, prepaid plans are cheaper because you have total control over how much you want to spend.

Postpaid mobile plans, on the other hand, are for people who rely heavily on the internet. They suit professionals who work outside their home or office or those who love traveling.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Postpaid Plan?

To determine if a postpaid plan is right for you, take note of its advantages and drawbacks:

Pros of Getting a Postpaid Plan

• Customized for different types of users
• Add-ons for a personalized data experience
• Internet data is always ready whenever you need it 
• No need to worry about the expiration of your call, text, or data promo 
• Issues proof of billing, which you can use in transactions such as loans
• Lets you get the latest smartphone without going all out with your money 
• Freebies such as premium content subscription
• Exclusive perks when you apply for a renewal

Cons of Getting a Postpaid Plan

• Additional monthly payments since it’s a recurring expense
• Locked to one network
• A bigger monthly bill if you exceed your data cap or service limits
• Termination fees if you cancel your contract. The price may be based on the remaining months of the contract
• If you get a postpaid plan with a device, you’ll need to shell out money for the cash-out
• Lengthy application procedure

What are the Popular Postpaid Plans in the Philippines?

Globe and Smart, two of the leading telcos in the Philippines, offer a wide range of postpaid plans that caters to different budgets. The table below shows you the general differences between the two when it comes to mobile data plans:

Read more: [Battle of the Brands] Globe vs Smart: Which Mobile Network Reigns Supreme?

Globe Postpaid Plans or GPlans

Globe’s postpaid plans, or GPlans,^[1] come in different categories, with offers ranging from ₱599 to ₱2,499. With its diverse packages, there’s definitely something for everyone. If you’re a fan of freebies and extras, a Globe postpaid plan is worth checking out.

GPlan SIM-Only All-Data

This SIM-Only Globe Postpaid Plan comes with generous data allocation and a freebie. All plans have a six-month contract period. Here are your options:

GPlan Plus

This SIM-only Globe Postpaid Plan comes with data allowance and unlimited all-net texts, calls, and calls to landlines. Higher tiers include unlimited 5G for six months. All offers also come with some freebies. By default, GPlan Plus packages have a 12-month contract period. Check out your options:

GPlan with GCash  

This plan for your smartphone includes not only data allowance but also unlimited all-network texts and calls (including calls to landlines). On top of that, each package comes with free GoWiFi access and GCash credits. All data plans have a 24-month contract period.

GPlan with Device  

With this plan, you get a discounted or free mobile phone. You also get unlimited all-network texts and calls (including calls to landlines). The following offers have a 24-month contract period.

Note: Inclusions and freebies may change without prior notice.

Smart Postpaid Plans or Smart Signature

In contrast with Globe’s diverse packages, Smart’s Signature plans^[2] are lean and streamlined. You won’t have a hard time choosing which offer is right for you. If you’re a straightforward online surfer who just wants a usable and no-frills data plan, Smart Signature may appeal to you.

Smart Signature has two categories: Signature Plans+ and Signature Device Plans.

Smart Signature Plans+

Smart Signature Plans+ are inclusive of a monthly data allowance and unlimited all-network text and call, including landline. They also come with premium freebies. Contract periods are available in 12, 18, and 24 months. It must be noted, though, that the 18- and 24-month contracts are for plan renewals only.

Smart Signature Device Plans

With postpaid plans under this category, you can get amortization offers for the latest 5G and LTE devices. Each plan comes with open-access data allocation, unlimited calls and texts to all networks, landline call allowance, and a premium freebie. All Signature Device plans have a 24-month contract period.

Note: Inclusions and freebies may change without prior notice.

Read more: The Current State of LTE in the Philippines

PLDT Enterprise Postpaid Plans

If you’re running a business, you need a reliable postpaid plan to stay connected to your customers and suppliers. The good news is that PLDT Enterprise offers mobile plans designed for entrepreneurs. This brand’s services are powered by Smart. 

PLDT Enterprise’s postpaid offerings are divided into two categories: SIM-Only Plans and Enterprise Plans. 

SIM-Only Plans

Plans in this category come with open-access data and unlimited call and text to all networks. All plans have a six-month contract.

Note: For Plans 1500, 2000, and 2500, you can avail of Google and Microsoft app add-ons, which are priced at ₱200 for 1GB per day or ₱300 for 3GB per day. 

Enterprise Plans

Enterprise Plans come not only with internet data, but also a smartphone. You can use the said device as your company phone. The following mobile plans have a 24-month contract. 

Note: For Plans 1500, 2000, and 2500, you can avail of Google and Microsoft app add-ons, which are priced at ₱200 for 1GB per day or ₱300 for 3GB per day. 

How to Find the Best Smartphone Postpaid Plan in the Philippines

Not all postpaid plans are created equal. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to determine which data plan is right for you.

Look at Your Lifestyle

Do you rely heavily on the internet? Do you stream music and movies a lot? Does your job require you to contact countless people daily? If your answer to all these questions is yes, go for a plan with a big data allocation, unlimited texts, and unlimited calls. It also helps if your plan has a free subscription to streaming services.

However, if you’re the type of person who can adapt to limited data allocation, a more affordable data package is a practical choice.

Here are other ways to determine your data and mobile habits:

• Determine the amount of time you’re usually outside of a WiFi network.
• Check the number of applications that you use while you’re on the go.
• Check the types of online content that you consume, from music to short YouTube videos and full-length movies.
• Do you usually share your data with other people? This will help you figure out if you actually need more data allocation.
• Do you need a new smartphone? If so, a postpaid plan with a device may be worth considering.

Check Your Budget

The cheapest postpaid plan is usually around ₱600. While seemingly affordable, it’s still an additional expense. Before you go for any data plan, check if your monthly salary can accommodate another overhead. Take into account that mobile plans have a lock-in period, which means you’ll be covering the bill for a long time.  

Ask the Relevant Questions

After comparing different postpaid plans, go to the network provider’s service center and ask more questions. Start with the following:

• What are the fees other than the plan’s monthly payment?
• What are the add-ons available for my plan?
• What are the documentary requirements and application procedures?
• Can I opt out of the freebie if I already have it?
• How does the billing work?
• How can I track my plan’s inclusions?
• Is unused data carried over to the next month?

How to Make the Most of Your Postpaid Plan’s Data

Of all the inclusions in a postpaid plan, internet data may be the most challenging to manage. But there are simple ways to maximize it, including the following:

Understand Your Data Usage

Your phone may have a built-in system that tracks your data usage, but there are apps with more advanced capabilities. Some apps show not just how much data you’re using in real-time, but also how much you’ll potentially use in the future. Choose a tracker that monitors how each app consumes data as well.

Having an understanding of your data consumption makes it easy for you to budget and maximize your data.  

Use Your Apps Mindfully

Apps eat a significant amount of data, so you may want to be conscious about using them. There are a few ways to curb your apps’ data usage:

• Turn off the background app refresh.^[3] Remember that apps still operate and update in the background even while not in use.
• Consume content offline instead of streaming them. If you want to listen to music or watch movies on the go, download them first using your home WiFi.
• Use your GPS map offline. You can do this by downloading your map while you’re still connected to your home WiFi.
• Use your mobile browser’s reading list feature, so you can read web pages even if you’re offline.
• Turn off the autoplay function of your video apps.

Delete Apps That You Don’t Use

As mentioned, apps still consume data even if you’re not using them. With that, it only makes sense to delete apps that you seldom use. It’ll help you curb data usage and expand your phone’s storage space.

Use Public WiFi Whenever Possible

If you’re out and about and there’s WiFi in your location, use it instead of switching your mobile data on. But always assume that public WiFi isn’t secure. To stay on the safe side, keep the following things in mind:

• Never access your personal or financial information when you’re connected to public WiFi.
• Don’t stay logged in to your accounts. Log out after using an app and disconnect from the public WiFi network. 
• Use different passwords for different accounts. If you use one password for all your accounts, hackers can access all of them.
• Make sure mobile settings don’t automatically connect your phone to any WiFi network.

Read more: How to Save Mobile Data: A Complete Guide

Final Thoughts

Internet connectivity is a currency in this day and age. And one way to stay connected is with a postpaid plan. Besides internet data, mobile plans these days come with unlimited calls and texts to all networks. They even come with freebies that can support your lifestyle.

Remember, though, that a postpaid plan is a commitment. So before you apply for one, make sure your finances can actually accommodate another obligation.

Sources:

• ^[1] Globe GPlan
• ^[2] Smart Signature
• ^[3] How to Control Background App Refresh (Business Insider, 2022)