All iPads No point in cellular iPad if you can tether from your phone right?

[scaredpoet]

I have a tethering plan on my iPhone 5s through AT&T and in the past, my iPads have all been wifi models because I could tether. But, I went ahead and splurged and got an iPad Air with cellular this time.

Main reason is so that I can just have the option of another carrier if I'm in an area where AT&T is bad. The air came with a Verizon SIM, so if I'm traveling and data is bad on AT&T, I'll just fire up the Air on Verizon and do mobile hotspot the other way.

Also, the cellular models of iPad Airs have GPS. Wifi models don't.

 

[leenak]

If you can afford the up-front cost and don't mind paying for the added data line, sure, I suppose there's some convenience there. The way I see it, I'm paying top dollar for a phone that makes tethering to other Apple devices seamless, and my data plan includes tethering at no extra charge. It is a very simple step to connect one device to the other via Bluetooth.

For me, going with a cellular iPad is a waste. I won't say that it's a waste for everyone; there may be cases where it makes more financial sense to get the cellular variant. It seems to me that most people aren't aware of the tethering options available to them, though. I'm happy to discuss what can be done with tethering, and people are free to calculate out what they would be saving and whether or not it's worth it to them.

With verizon share plan, it is cheaper to add another line than tether and you can remove or add the iPad at will. For me, it costs $8 to add the iPad but I won't add it until I need it.

 

[Altis]

Depends entirely on your usage, I think.

Tethering really isn't that hard; I leave the option enabled on my phone. The most I have to do is enable BT via control centre, then connect the iPad by tapping on my phone in BT.

It's free for me to tether, and I can either save 20% or bump the storage up a notch for the same price.

I don't really like using maps on iPad anyways because the lines are still so thin and light, and I can just use my iPhone for GPS, and even navigation through the car with it.

 

[ggibson913]

Not worth it to me

My iPad 3 was a Verizon LTE version. It really wasn't worth it for me to have the LTE. I didn't use mine very much outside a place that had no wifi and tethering to my phone isn't a big deal. Though a previous poster correctly pointed out that a phone can't do data and phone at the same time, that was just a non issue for me.

 

[MatthewStorm]

Just wondering people's views on this.

It was mentioned briefly but you lose true GPS functionality with a WiFi only model. It makes a big difference when doing any type of navigation.

 

[braddick]

I want my iPad to be at 100%, not 75%.
It's a somewhat crippled iPad without GPS/Cellular.

Those occasions when you are without WIFI are moments you will kick yourself for not having this feature built into your iPad.