Amazon Prime has taken over the Amazon services like a storm with its unlimited TV shows and movie options. Whether it is the latest K-drama or a Hollywood blockbuster, amazon Prime has it all! Incepted in 2006, it was created as a service for Amazon customers, Amazon Prime garnered huge popularity in 2011 when it became a video streaming platform. Currently, it has 200 million subscribers from across the globe.
Being one of the best video streaming platforms today, it is on the list of every movie buff who loves to keep themselves entertained with the latest in the entertainment industry. Having said that, it is essential to understand that the platform will keep you on your toes in terms of data usage and might raise your monthly bills if you don’t have an unlimited data plan.
So how much data does Amazon Prime use? The answer depends on the number of hours spent on Amazon Prime and the activities done on it! Let’s take a closer look at the data consumption and get clarity so that you can make an informed decision.
But before that take a closer look at the various aspects of streaming services and look at the reasons why they are gaining huge popularity.
Table of Contents
Streaming Service: A New Form of Entertainment
Streaming services are an on-demand online source for movies, TV shows, and more. These services focus on providing content from a brand, a network, or an individual. These are a perfect alternative to cable and satellite services and require a subscription or fees.
Video streaming services offer you content from different genres which can be accessed through an app or a web browser on various devices like smartphones, computer tablets, smart TVs, tablets, etc. Some of the video streaming devices include Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, Roku, and Google Chromecast.
- Video streaming offers you unprecedented choices and convenience to the audience.
- Movies can be released on streaming platforms along with theatres. This offers high flexibility to people so that they can enjoy themselves however they like.
Impact of Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu
Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu are among the top streaming platforms in the world. Not only have they revolutionized the entertainment industry but have also transformed the face of the digital world by offering powerful content to cater to audiences from across the globe.
These platforms including Hulu offer captivating shows, which are carefully showcased via a specially designed interface that retains the audience’s attention and compels them to ‘binge-watch’! This has created a huge shift from the traditional media to the digital world.
Personalization is the Key!
While the conventional television formats have a strict timeline for TV shows and movies. One had to view content that is telecasted by the channel; however, through video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, you can create a personal profile and choose the shows and movies you want to watch. These may include different genres like thrillers, comedy, entertainment, and more.
Global Exposure & Diversity
These platforms have opened doors to multiple cultures and redefined the art of storytelling in a digital format. Through these platforms, you can watch shows from across the globe that too at your convenience.
Transforming the Traditional Broadcasting Model
The dynamic mode of video streaming breaks the conventional broadcasting format where the viewers are bound by the strict telecast timings and content type. This notion has been broken by the video streaming platforms.
How Streaming TV Impacts Your Mobile Data Usage?
The data usage while streaming depends on the type and quality of content.
Video Quality: There are different video quality and format options like Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD), Ultra-high Definition (UHD or 4K), and High Dynamic Range (HDR). Depending on the video quality, mobile data usage may differ.
| Video Quality | Data Used per Hour |
| Standard Definition (SD) | 800 MB |
| High Definition (HD) | 2 GB |
| Ultra-High Definition (UHD) | 6 GB |
Screen Size: Irrespective of the screen size of the device, the revolution plays a crucial role.
| Resolution | Data Usage Per Hour |
| 240p | 225MB |
| 480p | 562.5MB |
| 720p | 1856.25MB |
| 1080p | 3.04GB |
| 4K | 15.98GB |
Streaming Duration: If you are streaming videos for a long time, mobile data usage will also be more. That means if you are planning on binge-watching your favorite show on Amazon Prime, know that it will surely eat up your data. Be mindful of your streaming activities if you have a limited mobile data plan.
Streaming Platform Used: Depending on the type of video streaming platform, your data usage will be different. Every platform has its compression technology that affects usage. For instance, Netflix has its compression technology while Amazon Prime will work differently.
| Recommended Read: How much data does amazon music use?
How Much Data Does Amazon Prime Use?
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular video streaming platforms in the UK with approximately 13.12 million households subscribed in the country. Although there is no official statement by Amazon, there have been various studies and data that reflect the data usage. Here’s a preview of data usage by Amazon Prime based on resolution.
| Resolution | Data Usage Per Hour |
| Low | 0.38GB |
| Medium | 1.4GB |
| High Definition (HD) | 6GB |
Amazon Prime measures streaming quality in terms of ‘Good, ‘Better’ and ‘Best’. It also has the highest quality streaming on your bandwidth to ensure a great user experience. This means that picture quality or the resolution depends on your internet connection.
For a smooth experience, Amazon Prime Video recommends a download speed of 1Mbps at Standard Definition and 5Mbps at High Definition.
How Much Data Does Amazon Prime Use for a Movie?
Amazon Prime offers you unlimited movie options that too from across the globe. If you want to know how much data Amazon Prime consumes for a movie, you must know that your video quality plays a crucial role. According to Canstarblue, the data usage can be predicted by taking a cue from the figures mentioned below-
| Video Quality | Resolution | Data Per Hour |
| Good | 480p | 700MB-900MB |
| Better | 1080p | 2GB |
| Best | 4K | 6GB-7GB |
Depending on the video quality, Amazon Prime would eat up your data. So, be mindful of using it in the best possible way!
Amazon Prime Data Usage Per Hour
As discussed earlier, data usage depends on various factors like screen size, resolution, and video quality. On average, in terms of video quality, the data used per hour in the Standard Definition (SD) is approximately 800MB, in High Definition (HD), the data usage is 2GB, and in Ultra-high Definition (UHD), it is approximately 6GB.
If we look in terms of screen size, the data usage per hour in 240p resolution is 225MB, at 480p, it is 562.5MB, at 720p, it is 1856.25MB, at 1080p, it is 3.04GB, and at 4K, it is 15.98GB.
Amazon Prime Data Usage for Videos
When you are streaming Amazon Prime video, you have three options to choose from, i.e., Good, Better, and Best. All these options use different data and offer you video quality as per your choice. So, if you’ve chosen ‘Good’, the data usage will be approximately 0.38GB per hour, if it is ‘Better’, the data usage will be around 1.40GB per hour, and in the case of ‘Best’, it is approximately 6.84GB per hour.
If you have a limited data plan, you can change the settings and manage data usage without compromising on your entertainment.
How to Reduce Amazon Prime Data Usage?
If you want to minimize your Amazon Prime data usage without putting much effort, follow these simple ways-
- Instead of streaming you can download the videos: If you are planning to watch the videos multiple times, it would be a great idea to download the videos as it will save you data in the long run.
- Go for a lower-resolution video quality: High-resolution video quality can eat up your data and hence, it is recommended to choose low-resolution videos as it can significantly affect your data usage especially if you have a limited data plan. To change the streaming quality of Amazon Prime videos, follow these steps-
Go to ‘Settings’, choose ‘Amazon Video Settings’, tap on ‘Stream & Download’, and go to ‘Streaming Quality.
- Turn off the app fully when not in use: When you are not using the app, it is better to close it completely so that it may not use your data unnecessarily. By turning off the app, you can minimize your data usage.
- Keep a check on your online activities and monitor your data caps: Keep checking your data usage so that you know when and how to use your data. If your data plan is limited, you must keep a tab on your data.
Conclusion
Today, Amazon Prime is one of the leading video streaming platforms. According to research, the video streaming market is expected to generate almost $95.35 billion revenue. Approximately 85% of the households in the USA, with a minimum of one subscription. If you are also a big fan of the latest movies and TV shows, video streaming platforms like Amazon Prime are a great option.
It is important to understand that data usage while video streaming depends on the video quality, screen size, and streaming duration. Depending on the resolution, the data usage at 240p resolution is 225MB, at 480p, it is 562.5MB, at 720p, it is 1856.25MB, at 1080p, it is 3.04GB, and at 4K, it is 15.98GB.
If you are limited to data, monitor your data plan and make the most of the Amazon Prime video.
