Jetpack vs MiFi vs Hotspot
Is there any speed advantage to buying a Jetpack vs just using your smart phone as a hotspot? Here's the background to the question. Years ago we had a MiFi that we used to access the internet back ...
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My wife and I currently have unlocked android Pixel 3 smartphones and both have hotspots that we use on our Verizon plan. My Pixel 3 is the fourth smartphone that I have used for Internet access as we travel in our RV when we don't have good wi-fi service where we are. Never have needed to go to a separate MiFi/Jetpack. Using a phone as a hotspot does have a big impact on the battery, but we always keep the phone on a charging cable when using it as a hotspot, what little use we have for a hotspot when out of the RV is not an issue.
Contrary to a comment above, we can connect multiple devices to my Pixel 3 hotspot (we never use my wife's phone as a hotspot as we don't need to).
We don't do any streaming while traveling so can't speak for how my phone's hotspot would compare to a standalone cell-based connection for that service. Our Verizon plan is unlimited, but it does get throttled down at some fairly low data amount. For our use though (general website access, email, auto photo backup, etc) it is not a problem.
As a side note, I have had several Samsung smartphones before moving to Google phones (both to have an unlocked phone and to avoid irremovable Samsung apps), a Nexus 5 and now a second Pixel phone. I am quite happy with the Google phones. The newest Pixel 3a is a price leader ($399 from Google Store) for its function and camera quality so you should compare it to your other options for a new phone.
Contrary to a comment above, we can connect multiple devices to my Pixel 3 hotspot (we never use my wife's phone as a hotspot as we don't need to).
We don't do any streaming while traveling so can't speak for how my phone's hotspot would compare to a standalone cell-based connection for that service. Our Verizon plan is unlimited, but it does get throttled down at some fairly low data amount. For our use though (general website access, email, auto photo backup, etc) it is not a problem.
As a side note, I have had several Samsung smartphones before moving to Google phones (both to have an unlocked phone and to avoid irremovable Samsung apps), a Nexus 5 and now a second Pixel phone. I am quite happy with the Google phones. The newest Pixel 3a is a price leader ($399 from Google Store) for its function and camera quality so you should compare it to your other options for a new phone.
