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Do you buy Wi-Fi+Cellular versions of iPads or Wi-Fi Only?

  • I only buy Wi-Fi Only iPads.

    Votes: 333 48.5%
  • I only buy Wi-Fi+Cellular iPads.

    Votes: 169 24.6%
  • One or more of my iPads have been Wi-Fi+Cellular. But I usually buy Wi-Fi Only.

    Votes: 121 17.6%
  • One or more of my iPads have been Wi-Fi Only. But I usually buy Wi-Fi+Cellular.

    Votes: 59 8.6%
  • My iPads were always given to me and/or I have never bought an iPad.

    Votes: 5 0.7%

  • Total voters
    687

jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
I purchased mine with cellular and I am glad I did. The only downside is the M4’s do not have a 5G MM Wave radio like the iPhone. The iPad tops out at about 100 Mbps, the iPhone almost 300 mbps
I got 300 Mbps on my European iPhone and iPad without mm Wave
 
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jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
I live in Wyoming a zone were ISP's can provide whatever they want. I have friends who actually still live in California who have 1GB connections, others who complain about 500MB connections.
500 MB would be far too few for me as well - would be consumed in half a day maximum or after a few minutes of streaming

Just did an arbitrary test in the hotel I am tonight
200 Mbit down and 50 Mbit up - that’s o.k. for the price
 

Funny Apple Man

macrumors 6502a
May 1, 2022
617
1,305
I only take my iPad to work and college campus (which they offer reliable wifi anyways), and I don't use my iPad while on commute so I've been living okay with the Wifi-only model.
 

NastyMatt

macrumors 6502a
Jul 7, 2020
521
737
500 MB would be far too few for me as well - would be consumed in half a day maximum or after a few minutes of streaming

Just did an arbitrary test in the hotel I am tonight

200 Mbit down and 50 Mbit up - that’s o.k. for the price
Are you alluding to 500mb of total data? A 500 mb connection is not total data but rather bandwidth.

e.g. streaming Netflix at it's highest quality requires a (minimum) 15 mb bandwidth connection.
 

jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
Are you alluding to 500mb of total data? A 500 mb connection is not total data but rather bandwidth.

e.g. streaming Netflix at it's highest quality requires a (minimum) 15 mb bandwidth connection.
He wrote 500 MB ( =500 Mega Byte ) mb could mean mean milli bit - never heard of that - rightly it’s Mb/s or Mbps ( = Mega bit per second )
 
Last edited:

h2ofun

macrumors member
Jun 5, 2024
40
38
I got my with 5G, and I love using it to stream sporting events live! When it works, no not spots to deal with! Worth every penny to have the flexibility!!
 
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sonicrobby

macrumors 68020
Apr 24, 2013
2,493
552
New Orleans
I got my with 5G, and I love using it to stream sporting events live! When it works, no not spots to deal with! Worth every penny to have the flexibility!!
Agree! I used to do wifi only in the past to save money with the logic of "i can hotspot from my phone when needed". But my job got me an iPad with cellular service and it was a life changer. Having internet connected all of the time is just too easy. Since then I will only buy cellular iPads. Im hoping for the day that Apple does do cellular macbooks or have a major update to iPadOS where it could be my one and only work device.
 

h2ofun

macrumors member
Jun 5, 2024
40
38
Agree! I used to do wifi only in the past to save money with the logic of "i can hotspot from my phone when needed". But my job got me an iPad with cellular service and it was a life changer. Having internet connected all of the time is just too easy. Since then I will only buy cellular iPads. Im hoping for the day that Apple does do cellular macbooks or have a major update to iPadOS where it could be my one and only work device.
Did my live video streaming at a volleyball game yesterday. It was SO nice to just connect and stream
 
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jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
Did my live video streaming at a volleyball game yesterday. It was SO nice to just connect and stream
The adder in pricing is minimal - no-brainer to get the cellular option IMHO.

I own and use three iPads - iPad Pro 2018, iPad Mini and iPad Pro 2024 and all have the cellular option and a data plan. The data plan is free of charge for my cellular subscription. I can add up to 10 data devices free of charge.

with all the digital devices drawing data - now in sum six data devices and three voice devices. All use the same data amount.

Did a test yesterday in my hotel with 600 Mbps down and 60 Mbps up - fast enough for my needs while traveling.
 
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transmaster

Contributor
Feb 1, 2010
1,757
873
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Are you alluding to 500mb of total data? A 500 mb connection is not total data but rather bandwidth.

e.g. streaming Netflix at it's highest quality requires a (minimum) 15 mb bandwidth connection.
I should have said a 1gbps, and a 500mbps connection. The best I can do here in Cheyenne is a 300mbps connection via 5G mmWave from Verizon. I have an unlimited plan from verizon.
 

transmaster

Contributor
Feb 1, 2010
1,757
873
Cheyenne, Wyoming
I should have said a 1gbps, and a 500mbps connection. The best I can do here in Cheyenne is a 300mbps connection via 5G mmWave from Verizon. I have an unlimited plan from verizon. I am hoping a Starlink enabled iPhone/iPad is in the future Elon Musk is hinting on one. I have friends with Starlink North of Cheyenne that are now getting over 300mbps down and over 100mbps up. As more satellites are launched it gets better and better.
 

jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
I should have said a 1gbps, and a 500mbps connection. The best I can do here in Cheyenne is a 300mbps connection via 5G mmWave from Verizon. I have an unlimited plan from verizon.
I don’t have mm wave in any of my devices and measured up to 1200 Mbps down and 150 Mbps up - my provider claims to support only 300/50 - well - roaming can be really nice.

 

sjebleu

macrumors member
Oct 19, 2021
33
63
One thing Apple does not clarify very well is that the non-cellular version lack GPS receiver. I burned my self on this a while back, and I'm still a bit bitter because of that.
 

jo-1

macrumors regular
May 13, 2023
249
367
One thing Apple does not clarify very well is that the non-cellular version lack GPS receiver. I burned my self on this a while back, and I'm still a bit bitter because of that.
Sorry to hear that - the technical specification is very clear about it - for a € 3 k device I read all details however before clicking the order button.
IMG_0150.jpeg
 

JapanApple

macrumors 68000
Sep 16, 2022
1,714
5,429
Japan
Well I buy a Wi-Fi version typically in even with the current model I just bought today the M4 again it was a Wi-Fi. Because at the moment there’s no reason for me to get cellular version. I thought about it I looked at my providers in Japan; North Carolina as I am right now I decided to buy the Wi-Fi personally there’s no reason to pay more cost for it unless you do external work and you need it.
 

splifingate

macrumors 68000
Nov 27, 2013
1,899
1,691
ATL
Currently do not need ubiquitous iPad connectivity.

If WIFI is not available (a situation in which I rarely find myself (and--if I do--the bandwidth is usually far below what VZ Cellular offers)), I can always tether to the 13-Mini.

I do enjoy AO Connectivity, but my Mini Hub handles this just fine.
 

Mitthrawnuruodo

Moderator emeritus
Mar 10, 2004
14,672
1,492
Bergen, Norway
All my iPads, up until now, has been cellular.

One of their main usage has been as a travel companion, and when travelling outside Europe (we have free roaming in EU, EEA (which includes Norway), plus the UK and Switzerland), it has doubled as a Mifi.

Now, with the disruption of travelling since Covid (plus some strikes and other stuff), we just got back to regular travelling again this year (and, a bit by chance and a slice of convenience, we only went to the UK this year, though different places), so I didn't bring my (ageing) iPad mini 4 for any of these trips.

Actually, I've not really used the mini 4 since 2019. So, I'm not 100% sure the iPad really fits into my usage pattern anymore...

Still wanted a new one, and have been waiting for a mini upgrade since I always liked that for factor, and plan to read (more) magazines and (more) graphic Novels, I use my Kindle for "regular" books, and also maybe as a travel companion...

Being unsure if I'm really, really gonna use this new mini 7, I ordered the baseline 128GB wifi version.

Since the last time we went outside Europe e-sims have become much more widely available, and I think I might prefer to have an e-sim in my Phone, and - whenever I need data on the iPad, where Wifi isn't available - use Personal Hotspot from the iPhone.

Now, if the new mini is a "success", and I use it all. the. time. and if it becomes cumbersome to set up Personal Hotspot (or battery life, which is more of an issue while travelling than else, becomes a problem), I'll just upgrade later on (maybe in time for a mini 8?). :)
 
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