iPad No GPS in WiFI Models?

[Jazwire]

I know this was the case in older generations, but is it still the case?

That only the cellular models have an actual GPS chip in them?

 

[Oui]

Correct only cellular ones have a GPS chip.

 

[Marrakas]

Yup, only cellular, been like this in all ipads. I guess they had to do something to even try to justify that $130 premium.

 

[andyw715]

Apple (and most if not all cell phones that have GPS) uses A-GPS (assisted GPS), which allows for quick startup (sat lock) by using your cellular data connection to request sat information relative to your current position (approx position info via cell towers). This allows the GPS software to lock onto sat signals that it knows about, rather than having to initialize and discover them on their own.

That's why many standalone GPS receivers take a bit (1 or 2 min) to lock on enough satellites.

So GPS comes with the cellular circuitry.

 

[deeddawg]

So GPS comes with the cellular circuitry.

Yep, the GPS hardware is part of the cell hardware (speaking generally, not sure if same chip or just associated). Wifi = no GPS hardware. It'll still locate based on wifi location services, but that's not actual GPS.