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

[teh_hunterer]

True to my post above, my past iPads were all cellular (iPad 7th gen, iPad Air A14, and iPad Pro M1), and I've just got a WiFi only M5 iPad Pro. No regrets as I haven't had a cellular plan on my iPad for over 2 years now and likely won't again.

It's something like $400 AUD extra just for cellular. And then $20 AUD per month for the data plan. Not worth it.

Perhaps some day more laptops will be cellular as well and carriers will adapt to the idea that people will have multiple devices and expect to pay a reasonable price to have a plan that covers all of them. Until then, I'll just hotspot.

 

[Just_Kevin]

I’ve only had this one iPad, WiFi only. I will be replacing it with a cellular version once they go back on sale. I hesitated buying and then Amazon & Best Buy both raised their prices.

I want the cellular version just for the GPS. This way I can use it for navigation in my truck, vs the small display on the phone.

 

[alanderp]

Only cellular. Never liked tethering and GPS was a welcomed addition.

 

[kevjen888]

I’ve only had this one iPad, WiFi only. I will be replacing it with a cellular version once they go back on sale. I hesitated buying and then Amazon & Best Buy both raised their prices.

I want the cellular version just for the GPS. This way I can use it for navigation in my truck, vs the small display on the phone.

does the GPS feature require a cellular plan?

 

[sparksd]

does the GPS feature require a cellular plan?

No.

 

[Just_Kevin]

does the GPS feature require a cellular plan?

I have not bought it yet, but from my research, no. I should not need a cellular plan.

 

[sparksd]

I have not bought it yet, but from my research, no. I should not need a cellular plan.

Definitely does not - I have a Mini 6 with cellular & no plan and GPS works fine.

 

[rui no onna]

does the GPS feature require a cellular plan?

Only the cellular model has the GPS radio but an active plan is not required.

In the US, T-Mobile has a $10 5GB 5 month pay as you go prepaid plan. This will work great for navigation. Just need to disable Apple's other services from using cellular or just keep cellular disabled until needed. In the past 8 days, my cellular iPad has already used 2.9GB just for System Services, the main culprit being Apple ID Services.

 

[kevjen888]

so the GPS is getting signal from the satellite?

 

[rui no onna]

so the GPS is getting signal from the satellite?

Yup. I believe there are offline navigation apps with downloadable maps that you can use with the iPad's GPS.

 

[sparksd]

Yup. I believe there are offline navigation apps with downloadable maps that you can use with the iPad's GPS.

Yep - Google, Maps.Me, Sygic, Gaia GPs, onXBackcountry are just a few of the apps that work with offline maps & GPS.

 

[kevjen888]

so our iphones have the same GPS feature as the cellular ipads?

 

[sparksd]

so our iphones have the same GPS feature as the cellular ipads?

Yes.

 

[snow755]

Just ordered my self a iPad Pro M5 1st iPad in a long time from AT&T and it’s going to be my main tablet. It’s all so going to be replacing an aging tablet I have now the pixel tablet can’t wait the my new M5 pro iPad to come this is going to be a nic combo with the iPhone air since both has the new apple C1X modem and we’ll all so go well with the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Wish I find all 3 to be a perfect combination. Now my line is complete wish I now have a iPhone line Apple Watch line and iPad line

 

[Momof9]

I just got my 1st cellular iPad!

 

[Jackbequickly]

GPS is accurate to a couple of feet when you pick cellular for your iPad. Never leave home without it. 😛

 

[deeddawg]

so the GPS is getting signal from the satellite?

Yes, that's how GPS works. The receiver listens for signals from the GPS satellites and calculates the location based on the time differential of the different signals.

There is Assisted GPS which can leverage cell towers and receiving current satellite position data (ephemeris) speeding up the initial position fix, but presumably an ipad will keep the ephemeris up to date when on wifi.

Yep - Google, Maps.Me, Sygic, Gaia GPs, onXBackcountry are just a few of the apps that work with offline maps & GPS.

Apple Maps also has an offline maps capability.

Of course you don't get real time traffic info. Also double check, some apps may not calculate directions when offline.