All iPads Do/did you buy your iPad(s) with Cellular or Wi-Fi Only?

[chrono1081]

My personal take is if you travel a lot and have it in your budget, grab the cellular model. I used the crap out of mine when I had it and one time, I lost internet for an entire month and it was great being able to just use my iPad for internet vs trying to go through a hotspot.

 

[kindaichi81]

my ipad mini 1, 2, 3 all are cellular one. but my next ipad mini which is ipad mini 7 after so many years will be wifi only... the extra premium to pay for the cellular is more than 2/3 of the cost of the ipad mini 7 already which i find it not worth it...

 

[PPCmike]

I'm buying a ipad for my Fiance and it looks like the ipad 10 is the last one to have nanosim with esim and the rest are esim.. Since I would be using it abroad where I'm taking it esim aren't 100% adopted yet.

 

[*~Kim~*]

I'm buying a ipad for my Fiance and it looks like the ipad 10 is the last one to have nanosim with esim and the rest are esim.. Since I would be using it abroad where I'm taking it esim aren't 100% adopted yet.

Yes, although more powerful iPads exist with a SIM slot (M2 iPad Pros, iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.) The first two have more RAM than the 10th Gen also.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I'm buying a ipad for my Fiance and it looks like the ipad 10 is the last one to have nanosim with esim and the rest are esim.. Since I would be using it abroad where I'm taking it esim aren't 100% adopted yet.

Where are you going?

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[PPCmike]

You use your iPad Pro as your main device for work and travel, but since it doesn't have cellular, you rely on your iPhone as a hotspot, using two SIMs (T-Mobile and a Verizon MVNO) for better coverage. To keep your iPhone powered, you carry an extra battery. While having an iPad with cellular might have been convenient, this setup works for you because it provides flexibility and reliable access, especially when traveling.

You could also explore options like Globe SIM registration for additional flexibility when traveling, especially if you're considering international travel. Having a registered Globe SIM card could allow you to easily switch to a local network abroad for better data coverage without depending on Wi-Fi or draining your phone battery as a hotspot. Globe offers roaming services, and registering your SIM ensures smoother access to these features. This might complement your current setup, giving you more connectivity options while traveling.

My fiancée uses globe I assume they have the esim part worked out now?

 

[PPCmike]

Where are you going?

eSIMDB: Find and Compare Best Travel eSIMs for Your Trip

With 70+ eSIM brands and over 70,000 data plans, eSIMDB is the world's largest travel eSIM comparison site. Filter by country or region, read user reviews, and find exclusive discount codes for your trip.

esimdb.com

Philippines

 

[PPCmike]

Yes, although more powerful iPads exist with a SIM slot (M2 iPad Pros, iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.) The first two have more RAM than the 10th Gen also.

I can't see spending that much on it for what she's going to use it for the ram isn't going to be an issue.

 

[rui no onna]

My fiancée uses globe I assume they have the esim part worked out now?

Yeah, Globe PH has improved their prepaid eSIM support. You can even re-use eSIM QR codes instead of needing to go to a store when swapping devices. You just need to delete the eSIM from the old device before re-scanning the QR code on the new device.

Note, Philippine law requires SIM registration and that usually entails sending you a one-time PIN via SMS text. Afaik, iPads just ignore SMS so I would install the new Globe eSIM on iPhone first to register before transferring it to iPad. This was SIM reg workaround for my Smart prepaid eSIMs (no local Globe prepaid eSIMs yet on my last trip).

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Philippines

https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/data-plans-and-coverage/ubigi-esim-data-plans/?destination=phl&region=&currency=USD&one-off=on#ubigi-destination

Disclaimer: Haven't tried Ubigi before, but had them recommended and plan to use them for our next trip to Japan.

 

[rui no onna]

https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/data-plans-and-coverage/ubigi-esim-data-plans/?destination=phl&region=&currency=USD&one-off=on#ubigi-destination

Disclaimer: Haven't tried Ubigi before, but had them recommended and plan to use them for our next trip to Japan.

Those plans are pricey compared to local PH rates. You can get 8GB+ for 7 days for ~$2 and 20GB+ for 30 days for ~$10 on any of the local carriers.

 

[PPCmike]

Yeah, Globe PH has improved their prepaid eSIM support. You can even re-use eSIM QR codes instead of needing to go to a store when swapping devices. You just need to delete the eSIM from the old device before re-scanning the QR code on the new device.

Note, Philippine law requires SIM registration and that usually entails sending you a one-time PIN via SMS text. Afaik, iPads just ignore SMS so I would install the new Globe eSIM on iPhone first to register before transferring it to iPad. This was SIM reg workaround for my Smart prepaid eSIMs (no local Globe prepaid eSIMs yet on my last trip).

I'm confused so if the ipad ignores the SMS text is this the same with the Nanosim? I know she has two sims unused which she would use one I would think

 

[rui no onna]

I'm confused so if the ipad ignores the SMS text is this the same with the Nanosim? I know she has two sims unused which she would use one I would think

Yeah, iPads just ignore SMS text sent to the iPad number (both nano SIM or eSIM). They don't display on the iPad.

 

[PPCmike]

Yeah, iPads just ignore SMS text sent to the iPad number (both nano SIM or eSIM). They don't display on the iPad.

So I'm sure you can just pop it in a phone and get the message then swap it back?

 

[rui no onna]

So I'm sure you can just pop it in a phone and get the message then swap it back?

The physical SIM? Probably. I only pop the SIM into the phone for SIM registration. Once that's done, it's always on an iPad (gets swapped between Mini and 11"). I've never actually checked if you get old texts when you pop the SIM back into a phone.

 

[Gengar]

I buy cellular iPads for myself (currently have an 11” iPad Pro M2 with cellular and pre-ordered the iPad mini 7th gen with cellular connectivity), but if I’m gifting one it’ll usually be a Wi-Fi only model.

 

[PPCmike]

The physical SIM? Probably. I only pop the SIM into the phone for SIM registration. Once that's done, it's always on an iPad (gets swapped between Mini and 11"). I've never actually checked if you get old texts when you pop the SIM back into a phone.

Yeah I might do that and I'll check out the whole esim thing when I arrive

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah I might do that and I'll check out the whole esim thing when I arrive

The Globe prepaid eSIM you can’t activate until you arrive in the Philippines. You can buy it ahead of time through the GlobeOne app (available on US App Store). Choose local eSIM instead of tourist. The tourist one is pricey and automatically expires in 30 days.

The Smart prepaid eSIM I was able to install, activate and register while still in the US. It roamed automatically so I could receive the one-time PIN text for SIM registration. Dual citizen so I used my Philippine ID to register. If you do go this route, it’s best to install the eSIM just prior to your flight so you don’t lose the entire freebie (7GB 3 days, 2GB/day specific apps for 7 days, free mobile calls and texts for 3 days).

Smart Online Store: Smart Prepaid eSIM - Digital

store1.smart.com.ph

Not sure about DITO’s policy on eSIM. They don’t officially support iPhones so there are some features that don’t work (e.g. 5G).

 

[PPCmike]

The Globe prepaid eSIM you can’t activate until you arrive in the Philippines. You can buy it ahead of time through the GlobeOne app (available on US App Store). Choose local eSIM instead of tourist. The tourist one is pricey and automatically expires in 30 days.

The Smart prepaid eSIM I was able to install, activate and register while still in the US. It roamed automatically so I could receive the one-time PIN text for SIM registration. Dual citizen so I used my Philippine ID to register. If you do go this route, it’s best to install the eSIM just prior to your flight so you don’t lose the entire freebie (7GB 3 days, 2GB/day specific apps for 7 days, free mobile calls and texts for 3 days).

Smart Online Store: Smart Prepaid eSIM - Digital

store1.smart.com.ph

Not sure about DITO’s policy on eSIM. They don’t officially support iPhones so there are some features that don’t work (e.g. 5G).

this is the first I've heard of the Dito and iphone thing that's pretty crazy I think she uses globe more than Dito anyways. But I'll let her know since she has two Dito sims she was going to let me use but I have 10 GB of included data on my plan anyways so I won't need it.

 

[Biro]

On the rare occasions that I have needed a non-wifi Internet connection with any of my iPads, I have been able to use my iPhone as a hotspot.

 

[PPCmike]

Yeah i've done the same but when you need to use the phone for something else or move too far away it's an issue.

 

[Digital Dude]

Whenever I buy an iPad, I always opt for the highest-tier model. The other features are generally more desired than the cellular feature. 🤷‍♂️

 

[PPCmike]

Well I think the ipads are on sell at Costco now I don't know if it will drop more before the end of the year.. I normally don't follow too much on deals on electronics as much.

 

[msackey]

I made some observations about myself when I upgraded my iPad Pro recently.

My previous iPad Pro 11-inch was purchased in 2020 and had the Wifi + Cell option. However, I never used the cellular data option and I knew when I purchased the device that it was rare to never that I would use the cell. What I liked was having the GPS.

I recently upgraded to a rather expensive iPad Pro: 11-inch with the nano-texture screen (I love that screen!) and 1TB storage (way more than I need). I was debating between Wifi and Wifi+Cell. Obviously getting the Wifi-only option would save me a bunch. After going back and forth for a while, I decided to bite the bullet and just get the Wifi+Cell option. I really like having the GPS option which also helps my iPad know its orientation.

I suppose even though I got a really expensive iPad, I still opted to get the Wifi+Cell option.

 

[msackey]

Whenever I buy an iPad, I always opt for the highest-tier model. The other features are generally more desired than the cellular feature. 🤷‍♂️

That's interesting. In the past, I've always gone for close to the lowest model in the highest tier, so meaning like the lower option in the iPad Pro line.

I think I went with the Pro line because that was initially the line that could be used with a keyboard. I owned an iPad Air a LONG time ago, then when keyboards became available for iPad it was only for the iPad Pro line and at that time was the iPad Pro 9.7 inch with that fabric keyboard.