Which is better for a Hotspot for TV streaming (regarding the device) using an IPAD or smartphone Samsung Galaxy 10e

[Hope810]

We will be vacationing for 3 months at my dads home with no internet.  We have upgraded our plan to Unlimited (not-unlimited I know) on all devices... IPhone XR, Ipad Air, Samsung Galaxy 10e.  We considered a Jetpack but we do not travel much. 

It appears we'll have to dedicate one device for our home "wifi" service to connect to our laptop, roku/24in-TV, and Samsung Tab A (wifi only).  We prefer NOT to use the iPad as my husband uses it the most.  We will be in an urban environment, Syracuse NY.  I'm willing to buy one more device, maybe another smartphone, but I'm concerned about the power drain and "running" a TV may be too much for a smartphone.  

So will it damage my Samsung Galaxy 10e to use the Hotspot for 3-4 hours of TV watching?  

Also we can't download Netflix shows for 3 months so is 2G download same as 2G streaming for video in data usage?  (Is there any benefit data-wise to download over Hotspot vs Streaming?)

I've watch several YouTube videos on RVing and summer vacationing.  All have same issue with mobile data.  Limted options. Thanks for any help.

Hope810

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi, there. We want to make sure you have all the information you need to have the best connection. It is possible to use your Hotspot, and it will not damage your phone. However, with most of our plans, you receive 15 GB of 4G speeds. After that, your speeds are reduced to 600 Kbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. Because of this, we don't recommend using your hotspot as a replacement for a home broadband connection. We do offer an Unlimited plan that will double the amount of 4G speeds you receive, providing 30 GB of 4G. This plan is called Get More Unlimited. You can learn more about it here: https://www.verizon.com/support/get-more-unlimited-faqs/. I hope this helps.

[Hope810]

Thank you. I was aware of throttling and signal strength variables. I'll update my phone plan and do a trial at home next month before we leave.  We are seniors so SD might be okay for some of our old TV shows. Probably I will download a few shows each day for better viewing at night (and to avoid delays, and not as spotty)... may look for some free wifi locations too.

Using our hotspot for Netflix, is 2G download the same as 2G streaming in data usage?  Or 30G is approximately 15 movies at HD either way?

[vzw_customer_support]

You're welcome. Yes, having shows downloaded in advance and using a lower resolution would definitely help. Videos and TV tend to take up the most data for many people, so the more you can prepare yourself the better.

[acraftylady2]

Does your dad have some sort of cable TV that has the option for internet?  We have spectrum cable here and once my son stayed with my Mom for the summer to help her before he left for college.  We added internet to her spectrum cable so son could have wifi there and we gave her the money every month for the extra on the bill then when he left We disconnected the internet  and turned thr modem/router back into spectrum since it was month to month and not locked into a contract.  Something to consider if it's going to be 3 months.  Mary

[Hope810]

Thanks but no the house is empty now with no cable or phone.  Spectrum was canceled when dad went to assisted living to save money.  Tried to suspend but got too complicated due to account in HIS name, even with POA.  We will be cleaning out house this summer and don't want to add Spectrum again.  Won't be watching hours of TV, I expect.  Ha, Ha.  Thanks for the suggestion.

[acraftylady2]

I understand, went through the same thing with my Mom 4yrs ago.

[mama23dogs]

@Hope810 

The hotspot limitations will probably mean you have to use all the hotspot data on every device if you really want to watch any big screen entertainment.  

In my experience any sort of screen sharing tends to overheat the battery. My preference would be to use a device with a replaceable battery which does not include any other devices you have listed. Have you considered buying a really cheap unlocked prepaid that has a removable back and a replaceable battery?

[acraftylady2]

Also I think you can just get spectrum internet without a whole TV package.  Maybe $50 a month then you would have wifi for all the devices.