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Buying an LTE iPad tomorrow...Air 2 or 9.7" Pro?

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Patron_Saint

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Jun 10, 2016
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I found a good deal on all LTE models, and plan on buying one tomorrow. That being said, I'm torn between the Air 2 and the 9.7" pro.

Main uses will be internet browsing, iMessage, media (music, videos, YouTube) and some gaming.

The pencil appeals to me and I may use it a bit, but when I had a 12.9" Pro I didn't use it as much as anticipated. The Smart Keyboard doesn't appeal to me, as most typing is done on my MBP.

Is the performance boost of the Pro worth it over the Air 2, which is significantly cheaper, even in 64GB?
 
Patron_Saint said:
I found a good deal on all LTE models, and plan on buying one tomorrow. That being said, I'm torn between the Air 2 and the 9.7" pro.

Main uses will be internet browsing, iMessage, media (music, videos, YouTube) and some gaming.

The pencil appeals to me and I may use it a bit, but when I had a 12.9" Pro I didn't use it as much as anticipated. The Smart Keyboard doesn't appeal to me, as most typing is done on my MBP.

Is the performance boost of the Pro worth it over the Air 2, which is significantly cheaper, even in 64GB?
Click to expand...



go with the ipad pro 9.7 the ipad fixed a lot of issue the ipad air 2 had with sound vibration issue
 
The iPad Pro 9.7 has a newest cellular radio then the iPad Pro full size and all other iPads.


Ipad pro 9.7 gives you channel 12, which t-mobile is using in their expansion plans, which is not in any other Cellular Ipad. The 9.7 also has band 27, google suggests that sprint will be rolling out service on band 27

As far as I know, when they made the iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro full size, they went with a iPhone 6 series cellular radio

When they made the iPad Pro 9.7" they went with the iPhone 6s series cellular radio
[doublepost=1466901932][/doublepost]Oh . I just remembered. The cellular iPad Pro 9.7 has an embedded Apple SIM card in addition to the regular sim slot. It still has a sim tray for regular sims. The other iPads do not have embedded sims
 
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If it makes a difference, I'm on Verizon.

Pricing on Air 2:

$279 - 16GB
$379 - 64GB

Pricing on Pro 9.7":

$479 - 32GB
$629 - 128GB
 
Patron_Saint said:
If it makes a difference, I'm on Verizon.

Pricing on Air 2:

$279 - 16GB
$379 - 64GB

Pricing on Pro 9.7":

$479 - 32GB
$629 - 128GB
Click to expand...


It makes no difference. Whatever ipad you choose ( iPad Air, iPad Air 2 , iPad Pro, iPad Pro 9.7 ) would work fine with Verizon

With the ipad you could cheat and try different companies. You don't have to activate it on Verizon.
(Unless of course your buying it as part of a Verizon deal)

You would require a Verizon SIM card. The apple sim won't work on Verizon. You will have to go the Verizon store and pick up a SIM card. Apple also provides Verizon SIM cards
 
Suggestions for trying other carriers.

AT&T
-----
AT&T has $25 for 90 days or 1 gig of service. Whchevever come first
250 mb would cost like $14.99


T-mobile
----
T-mobille offers 5 gigs for 5 months for $10 for new customers.
Prepaid gets music freedom and Canada and Mexico roaming
Postpaid gives you free video streaming and their data stash ($35 or more)
Data slows down to 2g speeds after you use your allotment
You can get a free 200 mb plan just for trying them out but with no offers


Sprint
---
Dont know! Haven't tried them



All the other companies except T-mobile either shut you off completely if you run out of data, or charge you money for going over.
 
I have the iPad Pro 12.9 128gb with Verizon cell it is awsome I am paying the device off over 2 years I know it is silly to go with a device payment plan but I can't see them improving the iPad Pro 12.9 2nd Gen to get rid of the 1st Gen
 
Patron_Saint said:
I found a good deal on all LTE models, and plan on buying one tomorrow. That being said, I'm torn between the Air 2 and the 9.7" pro.

Main uses will be internet browsing, iMessage, media (music, videos, YouTube) and some gaming.

The pencil appeals to me and I may use it a bit, but when I had a 12.9" Pro I didn't use it as much as anticipated. The Smart Keyboard doesn't appeal to me, as most typing is done on my MBP.

Is the performance boost of the Pro worth it over the Air 2, which is significantly cheaper, even in 64GB?
Click to expand...
It's not the performance of the 9.7 Pro it's some kind of the Newest Gen LTE Heavy Duty Radio all I know is that on my LTE Sprint it gets Data speeds that blow away WiFi in Areas my Note 5 or 6s just don't get Signal.

So for LTE Data nothing on the market can touch the 9.7 Pro I seriously can't imagine people who just buy Crippled WiFi only versions


I found the Link it's called LTE Advanced with a new more robust antenna and more Bands the 9.7 Pro feature LTE Speeds 50% faster that that offered on the 12.9 Pro LTE Data speeds that's Huge.

http://9to5mac.com/2016/03/21/what-are-the-differences-between-two-ipad-pro-models/

Also don't forget about Personal HotSpot in a pinch you can serve up LTE Data Speeds (in my case Sprint Spark) about 100 Mbps faster than most WiFi to many devices and save the Day. Now in my case I have a Fully Unlimited Data plan on LTE I've used 300GB of LTE Data no bills. No overages
 
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I feel sorry for people with wifi only ipads who get their devices stolen. They don't tell you in the store that if you keep the ipad locked, it will only connect to what it knows about.. And it wont connect to new wifi hotspots. Its a favorite topic of mine to rant about. Even with the 200 mb free t-mobile sim , you stand a better chance of being reunited with a stolen ipad if its cellular

People on these forums will say you don't need cellular on an ipad because wifi is everywhere, and omit about wifi networks I mentioned above, but they will say how the Apple Watch needs a cellular connection because wifi isn't everywhere!!!
 
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I replaced my two Air 2's with 9.7 Pros and am slightly regretting the expenditure. I don't need the pencil. The huge bump in improvement I got from going from the iPad 3 to the Air 2 just isn't there. For mundane things such as web browsing, reading Texture, etc. I barely see the difference. I don't do gaming so not sure how much improvement the speed bump would be. The color management is nice. The biggest improvement for me is with 256 GB I don't have to keep juggling storage space between photos, Texture, and Music Videos.

I never had any sound vibration issues with my Air 2's.

I'm on T-Mobile and haven't seen any difference in LTE coverage/speed with the addition of Band 12.

If cost isn't an issue then I'd certainly go with the latest technology. However if money is tight the Air 2 might need your needs. And I'd also consider Apple Refurbished. I got both a Time Capsule and Airport Extreme refurbished and haven't had any issues with them.
 
Patron_Saint said:
If it makes a difference, I'm on Verizon.

Pricing on Air 2:

$279 - 16GB
$379 - 64GB

Pricing on Pro 9.7":

$479 - 32GB
$629 - 128GB
Click to expand...
I'd say it really depends on how much storage you need. If you can get by with 16GB, save $200 and go for the iPad Air 2. If 16GB isn't enough but 32GB is plenty, go for the iPad Pro. It's only $100 more than the 64GB iPad Air 2.
 
Channan said:
I'd say it really depends on how much storage you need. If you can get by with 16GB, save $200 and go for the iPad Air 2. If 16GB isn't enough but 32GB is plenty, go for the iPad Pro. It's only $100 more than the 64GB iPad Air 2.
Click to expand...
I'm actually leaning more between the 64GB Air 2 and 128GB Pro. I have a 128GB 6S Plus, and really enjoy the available space.

Currently though, thinking I'll go with the Pro. It's more money, but if it's going to cover more needs and provide better reception it's a big perk. I'll unfortunately have a bandwidth cap, though a decent amount of data regardless.

I'm in a rural area and off grid, so better reception has me pretty much sold.
 
If you have good LTE service where you are, the Pro screams
image.png
 
TheRealAlex said:
So for LTE Data nothing on the market can touch the 9.7 Pro I seriously can't imagine people who just buy Crippled WiFi only versions
Click to expand...

Some people just don't need LTE versions. I'm mostly at my office or my house so there is no need for LTE. I had my iPad Air 2 with LTE and I activated it on day 1 for the 5Gb and never used it. Then I activated TMobile during a conference in Colorado and it didn't work. That was upsetting. TMobile acknowledged they were having issues with large crowded spaces.

Anyhow now I have 32gb iPad Pro wifi and while it would be nice to have that option of LTE, it's not necessary for me whatsoever.
 
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I have a 128 iPad Pro 9.7 Wi-Fi only and I dont care for the LTE. I have an iPhone that I can tether too if needed. To answer the forum question, get the iPad Pro 9.7. It will last longer in Apples upgrades.
 
rigormortis said:
I feel sorry for people with wifi only ipads who get their devices stolen. They don't tell you in the store that if you keep the ipad locked, it will only connect to what it knows about.. And it wont connect to new wifi hotspots. Its a favorite topic of mine to rant about. Even with the 200 mb free t-mobile sim , you stand a better chance of being reunited with a stolen ipad if its cellular

People on these forums will say you don't need cellular on an ipad because wifi is everywhere, and omit about wifi networks I mentioned above, but they will say how the Apple Watch needs a cellular connection because wifi isn't everywhere!!!
Click to expand...
I've owned iPads since the first one on day one and never had one stolen. If I bought all cellular models just to track them down if they got stolen, the extra $130 per iPad and 4+ years of service would have cost me way more than having to replace one. Sure, T-Mobile has 200 MB/month for free now, but that wasn't always offered.

I buy cellular iPads now because I have unlimited data for them, but I would never spend the extra $130 just to track it down if it got stolen, especially since your chances are still slim you'll get it back.
 
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Patron_Saint said:
Going for the pro. Is the 128gb worth it over the 32gb when I have a 128gb 6S plus?
Click to expand...

Depends on what you use it for. I used to always fill up my iPad with stuff with the intention of watching movies or tv shows. But I have never used them. Not even on the plane.

This time I got a 32gb wifi and I find I don't need all that content on it when I just browse the web in my house on it.
 
You're usage suggest the Air 2 will suit your needs well for 2-3 years minimal.

However, if you have the extra $$, the Pro is the better buy for longevity.

The added RAM and the A9X are going to be very useful for gaming and multi-app productivity.

Support for the Pro device will be twice that of the Air 2.

So, if budge is a concern, go with Air 2. If budget is not a concern, the extra cost will pay off in years of support and increased performance.
 
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marty1980 said:
You're usage suggest the Air 2 will suit your needs well for 2-3 years minimal.

However, if you have the extra $$, the Pro is the better buy for longevity.

The added RAM and the A9X are going to be very useful for gaming and multi-app productivity.

Support for the Pro device will be twice that of the Air 2.

So, if budge is a concern, go with Air 2. If budget is not a concern, the extra cost will pay off in years of support and increased performance.
Click to expand...



both air 2 and 9.7" pro has the same 2 GB of ram and i dont think hes looking too buy the 12.9" wish has 4GB of ram
 
snow755 said:
both air 2 and 9.7" pro has the same 2 GB of ram and i dont think hes looking too buy the 12.9" wish has 4GB of ram
Click to expand...

Ah! Correct. I messed that one up. Ty

I guess that means looking into Apple Pencil and True Tone to see if those coupled with the performance boost and added support are worth the cost difference between the Air 2 and Pro.
 
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