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All iPads Do/did you buy your iPad(s) with Cellular or Wi-Fi Only?

Do you buy Wi-Fi+Cellular versions of iPads or Wi-Fi Only?

  • I only buy Wi-Fi Only iPads.

    Votes: 399 48.8%

  • I only buy Wi-Fi+Cellular iPads.

    Votes: 205 25.1%

  • One or more of my iPads have been Wi-Fi+Cellular. But I usually buy Wi-Fi Only.

    Votes: 143 17.5%

  • One or more of my iPads have been Wi-Fi Only. But I usually buy Wi-Fi+Cellular.

    Votes: 65 7.9%

  • My iPads were always given to me and/or I have never bought an iPad.

    Votes: 6 0.7%
  • Total voters
    818
I have a 6th gen 12.9 iPad Pro that’s WiFi only, and I recently upgraded my mini 6 to a mini 7, that’s WiFi only. I use the hotspot from my iPhone, which I haven’t had any issues with. My battery in the iPhone is the least of my problems. I carry a portable Anker charger, so I can charge both iPad and iPhone at the same time several times if need be. I use my iPhone for gps when traveling.
 
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My iPad Air (2013) supports Wi-Fi/cellular. All the rest I have bought Wi-Fi only because I can hotspot from my iPhone.
 
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I started off with the first iPad model and used to buy them with cellular. But paying for a separate cellular account for them, even after AT&T and other providers started offering GB/few-months, it made more sense to stop paying the cellular premium and just pay $5 a month on my phone plan and tether the iPad in the few times I need to use it away from any wi-fi I can access.
 
For me having having a Cellular enabled iPad is the way to go. My home Century DSL is a 10 mbps connection. Version is my Cellular provider and with it the iPad's 5G it has around 80 mbps. I can pair it with the iPhone when it has a 200+ 5Gmw connection. I already had 2 lines because of a 2nd iPhone I used to have so I saved money provisioning the iPad with that line.
 
In Australia, one can purchase an IOS app that stores the mapping data in the iPad. When driving across most of Australia, there is rarely a cellular connection. So Maps etc doesn't work. But we always buy a cellular version. But we do not connect it to a cellular provider (as hot spotting off a phone is much cheaper).

The reason we buy the cell version is simply because it has a GPS, which allows navigation using an App's mapping data. It's a ridiculous extra charge for a under 50c GPS chip. And because the iPad Pro charges one third more for the same cellular capability in an Air or base iPad, we bought an Air instead of a Pro.
 
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Melbourne Park said:
In Australia, one can purchase an IOS app that stores the mapping data in the iPad. When driving across most of Australia, there is rarely a cellular connection. So Maps etc doesn't work. But we always buy a cellular version. But we do not connect it to a cellular provider (as hot spotting off a phone is much cheaper).
Click to expand...
What app is that?
 
I have two WiFi iPads in my life time.

My next iPad will be Cellular for these reasons:
1. my secondary home doesn't have internet, so cellular iPad would be giga-convenient.
2. using phone as hotspot is draining on its battery. not convenient on the go to have to bring another thing to charge it.
3. it would be really nice to be able to use the iPad right away, espeically in places in cafes, or airports. not depending on those crappy Wifi everyone is fighting over to use. And at airports they often make you fill in your personal information. iPad is very very useful for cafe lounging and airport waiting for the flights.
 
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Before I traded in my mini, I had cellular but quickly realized that I don’t use it as much as I thought so it was a waste at the time. Right now I just have WiFi and I think if I actually need data when I’m out and about I can just use my phone.
 
I’m retired , looking to ex-pat . The cellular option is invaluable in 3rd world countries . The hotel WiFi chokes, T-Mobile gives me great service on iPhone and iPad. If i choose Argentina, the cellular providers are all LTE , 5 g in. The city.
 
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Not having to connect to hotspot is a game changer. I pay $10 AUD per month to share data with my mobile phone plan. I also tend to use my iPad in lieu of my work laptop due to the onboard cellular, and it’s ease of use
 
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Misheemee said:
Not having to connect to hotspot is a game changer. I pay $10 AUD per month to share data with my mobile phone plan. I also tend to use my iPad in lieu of my work laptop due to the onboard cellular, and it’s ease of use
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Yeah but you also have to be on a higher Telstra plan too.
For me would be double, extra $10 for mobile plan plus $10 sim.
 
Even for $20 - worth it. I’d find a few groceries to cut out in the month to supplement.
 
stanza.richi said:
My previous iPad (mini 2, air 2, 12.9 pro 2018) were wifi only. For the next one I’m thinking about a cellular one.
Click to expand...

6 months later I decide to stay wifi only with my 11 Pro M4. At work iI’ve got hospital wifi, while outside I hotspot with my 14PM. Still satisfied about, saved some hundred (250) of euros.
 
At first, I was going to take the advice of so many others and get my 2nd iPad like my 1st minus cellular service. But I got the M4 Pro 13" with it, and I am glad I did. I just wish my iPad had a 5G mmWave radio.
 
Normally WiFi only, but with my M1 IPad Air I went cellular & dropped my iPhone down to the cheapest unlimited Verizon plan. That gives me cellular 7 hotspot on my iPad for like $8/month. Wise choice, I doubt, but I’ve done stupider things, lol.
 
Well I have iPhone 14 and ultra watch 2, both with cell.

Was on fence post on my iPad mini to get with cellular but then “why”?

I can simply hotspot WiFi to it if needed in a non WiFi location, save $100.
 
It depends on your provider; of course, I use Verizon. it pays to call them up and ask, "What sort of deals do you have?" I tried to give my elderly father my replaced iPhone. He wouldn't take it, so I ended up with two iPhones. I kept a second iPhone around as a backup. I hardly ever used it, but I got a good deal on a second line, so I kept it going. When I purchased this iPad, I no longer needed a second iPhone, but I switched the second line over to the iPad and saved even more money.
 
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