A portable electronic device comprises at least one sensor configured to sense sensor data, including at least one first sensor data representing a first sensed condition. The portable electronic device comprises a processor configured to create a learned sensor data pattern and create a learning function. The processor is also configured to obtain the first sensor data, estimate using the learning function a first estimated transmission cost associated with an upcoming data transmission when the device experiences the first sensed condition, predict using the learned sensor data pattern an upcoming second sensor data representing a predicted second sensed condition, and estimate using the learning function a second estimated transmission cost associated with the upcoming data transmission when the device experiences the predicted second sensed condition. The processor is configured to compare the first estimated transmission cost with the second estimated transmission cost.