Skinny Unlimited Data Plan: Pricing, Speeds & Comparison

Shopping for a mobile plan in New Zealand can feel like decoding fine print, especially when “unlimited” comes with asterisks. Skinny’s Endless Data plans promise unlimited data, but after you hit a certain cap speeds drop to around 1.2 Mbps — enough for messaging and light browsing, but not for streaming, and this guide breaks down each plan, the throttle reality, and how Skinny stacks up against other NZ providers so you can decide whether the trade‑off is worth it.

Cheapest unlimited plan: $40 Endless Mobile Plan (28 days) ·
Data cap before throttle: 80GB on $70 plan; varies by plan ·
Throttled speed: ~1.3 Mbps after cap ·
Contract length: No contract, prepaid ·
Hotspot allowance: Full speed hotspotting until data cap

The table below summarises the core specifications of Skinny’s Endless Data plans.

What is Endless Data Skinny?

Skinny’s Endless Data plans are prepaid mobile plans that give you a fixed amount of high‑speed data each cycle, followed by unlimited data at reduced speeds. Canstar NZ (consumer comparison site) lists five variations: three four‑weekly plans ($40, $50, $70), one weekly plan ($20), and an annual plan ($439). The high‑speed allowance varies: 10GB on the $40 plan, 40GB on the $50 plan, and 80GB on the $70 plan. Once you cross that limit, your data is “Endless” but slowed.

How does Endless Data differ from Binge data?

• Binge is a separate add‑on that lets you stream certain video services without eating into your data allowance – it’s not an unlimited plan (Skinny (official support)).
• Endless Data is the plan itself, providing a high‑speed bucket then throttled unlimited data for everything including streaming.
• You can have Binge as an add‑on on top of an Endless plan, but that doesn’t remove the throttle after the cap.

The catch: Binge only works for specific streaming services. For general browsing or other video apps, you still hit the throttle.

What speeds can you expect after the data cap?

Mobile Compare (NZ plan aggregator) reports that the throttle caps at 1.2 Mbps – enough for messaging, social media, and low‑resolution music, but too slow for HD Netflix or YouTube. Some users on Reddit NZ (community forum) confirm speeds of around 1.3 Mbps in practice. So real‑world browsing is usable but not snappy.

How much is it to get unlimited data?

Skinny’s cheapest unlimited‑type plan is the $40 four‑weekly Endless plan, which delivers 10GB at full speed then throttled data. The $70 plan is often called “unlimited everything” because it includes unlimited calls, texts, and a large high‑speed bucket of 80GB. Glimp (NZ mobile plan aggregator) lists all prices, starting at $16 for basic plans but the unlimited (Endless) range is $40–$70 every four weeks. There are no hidden fees – prepaid means you pay exactly what you choose.

Let’s compare the main plans side by side.

All figures from Canstar NZ and Mobile Compare.

What this means: The $40 plan is the cheapest entry point but its 10GB high‑speed allowance will last a typical user only a few days. The $70 plan offers eight times the high‑speed data for an extra $30 – a much better ratio for medium users.

Which plan is best for unlimited data?

The answer depends on how much high‑speed data you really need. Light users (messaging, email, occasional social media) can get by on the $40 plan and accept the throttle after 10GB. Moderate users who stream music and browse video clips might prefer the $50 plan with 40GB. Heavy users who tether or stream a lot should consider the $70 plan’s 80GB bucket – or look at other providers that may not throttle at all.

We compared Skinny’s three main Endless plans against each other.

Skinny $40 vs $70 Endless

The table below highlights the key differences between Skinny’s lowest and highest-end Endless plans.

Data from Canstar NZ and Mobile Compare.

The trade‑off: Skinny is the cheapest but you hit the throttle sooner than some rivals. For heavy users, paying an extra $15–$20 for a plan with a higher (or no) throttle might be worthwhile.

What is the Skinny 52 week plan?

The 52‑week plan (also called the Annual Plan) is a prepaid voucher that costs $439 and provides a set amount of data each week for a full year. According to Canstar NZ, the plan includes endless data with speeds reduced after 10GB per four‑week cycle – effectively the same throttle as the $40 plan, but spread over 52 weeks at a lower effective rate ($8.44 per week).

It is not an unlimited data plan in the sense of no cap; you still face a throttle after 10GB of high‑speed data each 28‑day period. The advantage is convenience: one upfront payment locks in your mobile service for a year, and you don’t need to remember top‑ups.

How much can you save? Paying $40 every 28 days adds up to about $521 per year. The 52‑week plan costs $439 – a saving of roughly $82. That’s about 16% less than monthly top‑ups.

The catch: if you are a heavy data user, 10GB per month is tiny, and you’ll be throttled most of the time. The plan is best for very light users who just want a cheap, hassle‑free connection.

Is Skinny a good mobile provider?

Skinny has built a reputation for low prices and prepaid simplicity. Canstar NZ notes its plans have “no surprises” and the brand has won awards for customer service. Coverage relies on Spark’s network, which is strong in urban New Zealand and decent in regional areas. MoneyHub NZ adds that Skinny offers 24/7 chat support and phone hours.

But the throttled data after the cap is a real limitation. On a 1.2 Mbps connection, streaming video is impractical, and even web browsing can feel sluggish. User reviews on Reddit NZ often mention this as the main downside.

The implication: Skinny is an excellent choice for budget‑conscious NZ users who can live within the high‑speed data bucket and tolerate slower speeds after. For power users, the trade‑off between price and throttle may tilt towards a competitor.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

• Confirmed: Skinny Endless Data plans include a throttle after a fixed high‑speed allowance (Canstar NZ).
• Confirmed: Throttled speed is around 1.2 Mbps as reported by Mobile Compare and user tests.
• Confirmed: Plans are prepaid with no contract (Glimp).
• Unclear: Exact throttle speed may vary by network congestion – not formally guaranteed by Skinny.
• Unclear: Future changes to data caps or throttle policies are not announced. Skinny’s help page says they “don’t currently” throttle broadband, but mobile has a fair use policy for unlimited plans.
• Unclear: Exact high‑speed data cap on $50 plan may differ from initial reports – current research states 40GB.

“Endless Data at reduced speeds.” – Skinny official website (Prepay Mobile Plans page)

“80GB at max speeds then Endless Data at reduced speeds (1.3 Mbps~).” – Reddit user (r/newzealand)

For light users in New Zealand, the choice is clear: Skinny’s $40 plan delivers the cheapest “unlimited” mobile service available, but you must accept the throttle. For heavy users, either step up to the $70 plan for more high‑speed data, or look at a true unlimited plan from a provider that doesn’t throttle after a cap.

For a closer look at how Skinny’s unlimited data plan compares to its competitors, check out Skinnys Endless plans for a detailed breakdown of pricing and features.

Frequently Asked Questions