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theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
At the moment I have an iPhone 4S off contract and paying for a data plan from an iPad. Is is worth using the iPhone as a dedicated mifi? I'm planning to upgrade to the newest iPod touch every year and I have the fifth generation at the moment. The data plan isn't that much, and I don't text a lot, it's normally just Facebook messenger. Is it worth it?
 

nebo1ss

macrumors 68030
Jun 2, 2010
2,909
1,709
At the moment I have an iPhone 4S off contract and paying for a data plan from an iPad. Is is worth using the iPhone as a dedicated mifi? I'm planning to upgrade to the newest iPod touch every year and I have the fifth generation at the moment. The data plan isn't that much, and I don't text a lot, it's normally just Facebook messenger. Is it worth it?

Your message is a little confusing.

1. You would need to have tethering included in your plan to use the 4S in the way you describe.

2. There would be no point in moving the sim from the IPAD to the 4s unless you have mutiple wifi devices that will make use of it. I assume IPAD and IPOD touch are what you have in mind.

3. Not sure why you mention Texting since it does not travel on data but the voice network. Unless you are using something like Whatapp.
 

theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
1) there is tethering included.
2) I have my iPad, iPod, Android Tablet, and my sister's iPod Touch
3) I don't text a lot, which is why I'm thinking of this. All my messages are from Whatsapp or Facebook. I can get Whatsapp on the iPod easily because it's Jailbroken.
 

scaredpoet

macrumors 604
Apr 6, 2007
6,628
360
iPhones and other smartphones are fine for tethering in temporary situations (like traveling or when your main internet connection is down), but tethering by WiFi on iOS devices isn't always that stable for long periods of time. With the amount of hassle involved sometimes, I wouldn't make an iPhone a permanent Mifi.
 

theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
I wouldn't make it to be used all the time as a mifi, only when I can't find a wifi connection. If I need to do a quick search, I can always do that in the phone.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,907
13,235
I find the data plans for the iPad cost much less than plans for the iPhone so I'd be more inclined to drop the iPhone and just stick to the iPad if you already tend to bring the iPad with you everywhere. Battery life of the iPad is good for over 24 hours when using it as a dedicated hotspot. I actually got a cellular iPad which doubles as hotspot since the add-on fee for the iPad ($10/mo) was cheaper than a dedicated hotspot or USB adapter ($20/mo). I always carry a messenger bag or backpack so size wasn't an issue and the $240 saved over 2 years is enough to pay for the price premium for the cellular model. :rolleyes:
 

theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
Going to school, I wouldn't really fit those stuff ^^ in my bag, maybe most of them, but definitely not the iPad. I used to, but now my work load had increased, so I can't. As for battery life, I've tried tethering on the iPhone to my ipod, and has my ipod and two of my cousin's ipod on my phone, and had it on for over six hours. When I got home and turned it off, it was still half way. My tablet does fit nicely in my front pocket though.
 

lordofthereef

macrumors G5
Nov 29, 2011
13,161
3,721
Boston, MA
Is ti worth it...

I don't know. Would you use it?

For me it wouldn't be worth it because I have data on my phone. I have no use for a mifi-like device. If you do, and you feel you can keep up the payments, well I guess you have an answer.
 

awair

macrumors regular
Sep 6, 2011
103
15
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.

I have 4GB on my phone & 1GB on my iPad, but cannot usefully tether with the phone because:
1) the phone gets really hot
2) the battery life is hammered

I suggest (and prefer) using the iPad mini for tethering. I had already downgraded my iPad plan because of the excess data on the phone, but it proved impractical. Especially as the device I use most is the iPad anyway. So I have bumped it back again.

There are a couple of blog posts about this, that might be worth reading?
 

theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
My battery life doesn't go down as much, even though the iPhone's has had 1200+ battery cycles! I will get a mifi, but not now, after the holidays
 

theapplefanboyj

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2014
674
0
I've started to use the iPhone as my primary device, the only device with me when I'm out. I do like the fact that everything is consolidated into one device, but I still have the iPod and really want to use it as a main device again. What should I do with the iPod? I might start using the iPhone as a mifi again ..
 
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