iPad with cellular: why?

[xx22]

It's not just the cellular, it also has accurate GPS.

That's another thing I don't like about Apple. All Samsung Android tablets have GPS. GPS is very important. Why do you have to buy the cellular version to get GPS on the Ipad?

 

[BigDO]

Tethering to the phone sucks. It is slower, kills the phone battery, but most annoying of all it switches itself off after a short period of inactivity, which is a serious PITA. I'll never buy an iPad without cellular.

 

[secretk]

Tethering to the phone sucks. It is slower, kills the phone battery, but most annoying of all it switches itself off after a short period of inactivity, which is a serious PITA. I'll never buy an iPad without cellular.

I am doing tethering for the last 10/15 days (work from home and lack of Internet). I can see the drawbacks of this approach in terms of killing the phone's battery quickly and yes it can switch off (in case of inactivity). However in my case it is definitely not slow. It is as fast as regular Internet that I use. Both are 4G and are adequate enough. I have no issues downloading working files from OneDrive, having numerous VOIP calls (usually around 7 hours in the working day I am spending in Teams/Webex calls), videos streaming and searching. So really the quality of the connection is not an issue. At least with the providers I use.

That being said it is not something I would like to do regularly because it does suck for my phone's battery. This is for sure an issue.

 

[BigDO]

I am doing tethering for the last 10/15 days (work from home and lack of Internet). I can see the drawbacks of this approach in terms of killing the phone's battery quickly and yes it can switch off (in case of inactivity). However in my case it is definitely not slow. It is as fast as regular Internet that I use. Both are 4G and are adequate enough. I have no issues downloading working files from OneDrive, having numerous VOIP calls (usually around 7 hours in the working day I am spending in Teams/Webex calls), videos streaming and searching. So really the quality of the connection is not an issue. At least with the providers I use.

That being said it is not something I would like to do regularly because it does suck for my phone's battery. This is for sure an issue.

Slower, not slow. Do a speed test on your phone and then on your iPad when tethered and you'll see that it's going to be slower.

For me though the most painful thing is having to reconnect it with the hotspot after a brief period of inactivity.

 

[secretk]

Slower, not slow. Do a speed test on your phone and then on your iPad when tethered and you'll see that it's going to be slower.

For me though the most painful thing is having to reconnect it with the hotspot after a brief period of inactivity.

I will do the test once I have my usual Internet back 🙂. Currently I have no other option but to rely on tethering.

 

[BigDO]

I will do the test once I have my usual Internet back 🙂. Currently I have no other option but to rely on tethering.

I mean a test on your phone, then a test on your iPad tethered to the phone. 🙂

 

[secretk]

I mean a test on your phone, then a test on your iPad tethered to the phone. 🙂

Finally got it. It took only 3 posts 😳 .

 

[flynz4]

I travel a lot (except during Covid-19) and I never trust public wifi. I have all of my devices set to connect automatically to my home WiFi, but I never attach to other WiFi networks.

When in hotels, I generally plug in my iPad and tether my MacBook Pro to the iPad (occasionally my iPhone). Occasionally I will connect my MacBook Pro to the hotel WiFi, if the cellular service is crappy, but I will be VPN'd into my corporate network. On the Mac, it is easy to remove individual WiFi networks.... but on iOS devices, you have to reset all Wifi networks, and then reconnect to your home network when back at home.

Personally, I can't imagine buying an iPad without cellular service for the convenience.

/Jim

 

[hotr32]

Pretty much what a lot of people are saying here, I financed through Verizon at 0% and monthly payments, not to mention it’s nice to have a cellular signal when WiFi is weak, or not available. I take my iPad with me everywhere, so cellular is a plus for me.

 

[SergArtz]

Bringing this up again because I need some suggestions.

I'm about to order my IPP 12.9 2020 128 GB but VERY undecided on the cellular thing.

I am a visual designer and work remotely from home, so I usually have a wi-fi connection with me. I'd use the Ipad mostly for experimenting (but also make it a device from where I create designs for clients) with illustration and digital arts and sometimes watching some videos while I eat my meals.
The city where I live has plenty of super cool coffee shops, so I'd use it around a lot, probably with wi-fi as same as I would with my MBP. I use my MBP for my normal work/tasks, but hope to give the IPP more professional room.

Also, I am based in SE Asia and I may start to travel while working remotely (just for a life enjoyment).
Lastly, I have to say that I'm not of those rare people who choose not to have an internet plan on its phone but just pay on a consume base (I love to go somewhere and feel that place at that moment without distractions).

I just see many people saying that they regret they didn't buy a cellular version.

What do you guys think? Shall I go WI-FI?

 

[Jonathantuba]

Bringing this up again because I need some suggestions.

I'm about to order my IPP 12.9 2020 128 GB but VERY undecided on the cellular thing.

I am a visual designer and work remotely from home, so I usually have a wi-fi connection with me. I'd use the Ipad mostly for experimenting (but also make it a device from where I create designs for clients) with illustration and digital arts and sometimes watching some videos while I eat my meals.
The city where I live has plenty of super cool coffee shops, so I'd use it around a lot, probably with wi-fi as same as I would with my MBP. I use my MBP for my normal work/tasks, but hope to give the IPP more professional room.

Also, I am based in SE Asia and I may start to travel while working remotely (just for a life enjoyment).
Lastly, I have to say that I'm not of those rare people who choose not to have an internet plan on its phone but just pay on a consume base (I love to go somewhere and feel that place at that moment without distractions).

I just see many people saying that they regret they didn't buy a cellular version.

What do you guys think? Shall I go WI-FI?

Get a cellular plan - you will regret it otherwise. Even if there is WiFi, there have been numerous times I have found not good, or reliable and having cellular means you don’t need to worry about Online access. I would never consider buying another iPad without.

 

[Stuey3D]

I’ve only ever had the cellular models, but only because I pay for them monthly through my mobile phone provider. My credit history is still a bit rubbish from a few years ago so financing through Apple is not really an option for me. I could pay outright but I’d rather not take the massive hit to savings in one go, plus I can afford the monthly payments through my mobile provider so why not. I always get the iPads on the cheapest tariff as I rarely use the LTE and the way my provider handles the monthly payments is one interest free loan for the device and another for the data plan and like any other loan I can make overpayments to reduce the length of the contract, and I can pay the entire thing all at once if I’m feeling flush.

With the cheapest data plan and interest free loan it only works out slightly more than financing through Apple at 15% apr anyway plus I have emergency data if I need to use it too so win win in my eyes.

 

[pshufd]

I got the WiFi Mini 5 and regret it. I would get the Cellular for the GPS and the backup of using Cellular. I used an iPad Mini 2 as a backup car GPS and it came in handy when I had a navigator and the Garmin was inaccurate. I still bring the iPad Mini 2 for GPS in addition to the iPad Mini 5 but it's kind of a waste carrying two of these on trips with a lot of driving. I rarely use cellular but it's nice to have a GPS that doesn't use your phone (battery or availability to place calls).

 

[Richard8655]

No cellular iPad here. To me, a waste of money for functionality I get in other ways. My iPhone is for phone calls. There are plenty of free WiFi hot spots when out and traveling with my Mini 5. Besides, less expensive iPads makes it easier to justify next model upgrade purchases.

But it really depends on your needs. If your work or leisure life is while traveling or away from home, then the cellular version may be better. But for casual, not worth it to me.

 

[satinsilverem2]

Ive always had the cellular models. For me I travel a lot and don't trust public wireless. I also go to the park a lot to get work done and there's no wifi and don't want to drain my phone. In the past I've also gotten more resale value on a LTE model. The biggest one for me is that with Google FI they don't charge for data only SIMs so its not costing me anything to have it other than the initial charge upfront.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have a 2018 11" iPad Pro w/LTE and a 2020 12.9" Wi-Fi. The convenience of LTE while traveling sure is nice. But considering Covid, it's unlikely I'll be taking my iPads out of the house for quite a while 😛

 

[SergArtz]

I have a 2018 11" iPad Pro w/LTE and a 2020 12.9" Wi-Fi. The convenience of LTE while traveling sure is nice. But considering Covid, it's unlikely I'll be taking my iPads out of the house for quite a while 😛

Ahahah I think that traveling restrictions will likely give me time to try the Wi-Fi version and then when borders will open up I'll sell this because the new IPP will be out!

Seriously, don't you ever feel the need of having LTE with you?

 

[rui no onna]

I have a 2018 11" iPad Pro w/LTE and a 2020 12.9" Wi-Fi. The convenience of LTE while traveling sure is nice. But considering Covid, it's unlikely I'll be taking my iPads out of the house for quite a while 😛

We’ve had a couple of power outages during the lockdown. The LTE iPad with its long battery life was pretty much our outside connection (trying to conserve phone battery and power packs for emergency calls only).

 

[BeatCrazy]

Ahahah I think that traveling restrictions will likely give me time to try the Wi-Fi version and then when borders will open up I'll sell this because the new IPP will be out!

Seriously, don't you ever feel the need of having LTE with you?

Tethering on the iPhone is pretty painless/seamless at this point with iOS. More than just the $150 price difference, you’ve typically got your monthly service expense with an extra line. If I was out and about several times a week, I could justify it. For once every couple of months, I’d rather just put that $150 into refreshing my iPad every new model.

We’ve had a couple of power outages during the lockdown. The LTE iPad with its long battery life was pretty much our outside connection (trying to conserve phone battery and power packs for emergency calls only).

One issue I’ve had with relying on power outages... Assuming my entire neighborhood goes down, everyone reverts over to relying on LTE, which in turn floods the tower capacity which means after a few hours even that becomes unusable. Obviously YMMV, I live in the suburbs.

 

[rui no onna]

Tethering on the iPhone is pretty painless/seamless at this point with iOS. More than just the $150 price difference, you’ve typically got your monthly service expense with an extra line. If I was out and about several times a week, I could justify it. For once every couple of months, I’d rather just put that $150 into refreshing my iPad every new model.

There’s still significant delay for me. It’s not as simple as unlock iPad and wifi’s already working. Usually takes around 30 seconds to 1 minute wait before I see the tether icon. Not exactly something I want to deal with throughout the day.

One issue I’ve had with relying on power outages... Assuming my entire neighborhood goes down, everyone reverts over to relying on LTE, which in turn floods the tower capacity which means after a few hours even that becomes unusable. Obviously YMMV, I live in the suburbs.

I don’t stream videos on cellular much. I mostly visit text-heavy news, blogs and forums and those are usually fine. I live in the Los Angeles area. I think flooded towers is just the norm here.

 

[BeatCrazy]

There’s still significant delay for me. It’s not as simple as unlock iPad and wifi’s already working. Usually takes around 30 seconds to 1 minute wait before I see the tether icon. Not exactly something I want to deal with throughout the day.

My experience is a bit better/faster than yours. If I have to put up with a delay once every month or so, no biggie. If I used it like this on a daily basis, then I’d absolutely want LTE.

Keep in mind, I have an active LTE iPad Pro, and a Wi-Fi version - so I get to experience the good and bad of both scenarios 😛

 

[pshufd]

You may want a different cellular provider on your iPad than your iPhone in case one has no service where you are but the order does. AT&T + Verizon is a good way to go for coverage.

 

[rui no onna]

You may want a different cellular provider on your iPad than your iPhone in case one has no service where you are but the order does. AT&T + Verizon is a good way to go for coverage.

This, too. I’ve got AT&T on the phone and Verizon on the iPad. Been considering switching from AT&T for a while now for int’l perks so I also have the T-Mobile $10/5GB/150 day plan on the iPad’s eSIM for testing coverage/speed.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I’m in the UK and although I don’t use cellular that much I always buy the cellular iPad “just in case”. I buy this sim with 24GB on, put it in the iPad and forget about it. The sim’s data can be used over 24 months but I don’t keep my iPad’s that long so this suits my needs.


Three Mobile Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband 24 GB data SIM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_rxmbFbXWCZREF

 

[pshufd]

I’m in the UK and although I don’t use cellular that much I always buy the cellular iPad “just in case”. I buy this sim with 24GB on, put it in the iPad and forget about it. The sim’s data can be used over 24 months but I don’t keep my iPad’s that long so this suits my needs.


Three Mobile Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband 24 GB data SIM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_rxmbFbXWCZREF

That's really nice. I'm not aware of anything like that in the United States. A $1/gb or 1 pound/gb sounds great. Pay-as-you-go is typically $10/GB here. That provides a lot of freedom and backup in case you forget your phone (usually rare but it's happened to me a few times).