In an era where every megabyte counts, especially in data-conscious countries like South Africa, WhatsApp has become the go-to platform for staying connected — whether through voice chats or video catch-ups.
But when you’re on a call, have you ever wondered who uses more data: the person who made the call or the one who answered it?
We did some digging, and here’s the short answer: both sides use nearly the same amount of data — and it’s surprisingly fair.
Whether you’re the one dialing in or picking up, WhatsApp’s design ensures that data flows almost evenly in both directions.
That’s because during the call, you’re sending your own voice or video and receiving the other person’s, creating a near-equal data exchange.
On average:
A voice call uses about 0.3 to 0.5 MB per minute.
A video call? That’ll set you back around 3 to 5 MB per minute, depending on video quality and your network.
There are a few quirks. For instance, if your signal is weak, WhatsApp might tone down your video quality — and that can lower your data usage.
And during group calls, the caller might carry a slightly heavier load. But in general, it’s a level playing field.
So, the next time you’re budgeting your mobile data or switching to Wi-Fi before a long call, know this: it doesn’t really matter who calls who — your data will be doing the same amount of heavy lifting either way.
