All iPads iPad cellular

[blkjedi954]

I know for me, I use my iPad for maps when driving. I prefer the larger screen. And I noticed… when someone uses their WiFi model iPad, their location isn’t as solid as mine. However, I’m not sure if that has something to do with spotty WiFi whereas I use cellular. But that person was using Verizon hotspot to connect to their iPad.

You’re right. Cellular iPads have built-in GPS. You need a data connection to load the maps. But there are apps out there that allow you to load maps while on WiFi so they are populated with your GPS iPad if you don’t have a data plan when you’re out in the wild. I did this for a couple of years before I signed my iPad up for data. That was my 2011 iPad 2 cellular

 

[LogicalApex]

For very specific use cases it can make sense. Such as needing the dedicated GPS or you aren’t on T-Mobile ? so you need to minimize tethering.

you can now have tethering automatically engage so you have a fairly seamless experience on a WiFi iPad. I had cellular on my first iPad and skipped it on my second iPad as it proved to be wasted money for my needs. The 40GB of 5G tethering and unlimited 3G tethering in my T-Mobile plan makes it even less desirable.

 

[Momof9]

I have seriously thought about getting LTE on my next iPad. We did not have electricity(10 days) / internet for several weeks - it would have been nice to have it on other than our phones. I still do hotspot from my phone when needed when I am waiting with kids at Drs appts etc. Still debating on which iPad to get it on.... right now, I am wanting a mini...

 

[LibbyLA]

For very specific use cases it can make sense. Such as needing the dedicated GPS or you aren’t on T-Mobile ? so you need to minimize tethering.

you can now have tethering automatically engage so you have a fairly seamless experience on a WiFi iPad. I had cellular on my first iPad and skipped it on my second iPad as it proved to be wasted money for my needs. The 40GB of 5G tethering and unlimited 3G tethering in my T-Mobile plan makes it even less desirable.

I wish we had T-Mo at our camp. That $10/5G plan on the iPad is great. Unfortunately we don’t have coverage at the camp and it’s spotty along our travel route. I do tend to have better T-Mo service than AT&T at my parent’ house so I’m topped up for my visit later this week.

 

[max2]

Stupid question kinda but can you still use a map app or any maps without wifi or cellular 4g lte or 5g connection or is that not possible ?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I pay a flat $20 a month for unlimited data on my iPad Pro. I use the iPad at work where cellular comes in handy, even though I can use my phone as a hotspot. I also like the idea of being able to take my iPad in the car and using it for travel directions or viewing movies and tv show, not to mention making and receiving telephone calls etc.

T-Mobile has a 5GB for $10 every 180 day plan if you are a T-Mobile customer.

 

[Robbosan]

I cancelled my iPad data plan, no point paying $15 now and will go up to $25 for a data sim when i can hotspot to my max if needed, we share 200gb between 3 of us. I prefer to take my M1 air when i travel for work so my 11" pro only get's home use now.
My max is big enough to check maps and i use CarPlay driving.
Wouldn't buy another cellular iPad anymore, hotspot is so easy now if i need it, once upon a time i would never of bought a wifi only because of no gps.

 

[Dopestar]

I just used a LTE iPad mini for years, without even owning a phone. That changed when I added in the Apple watch. I still like using my iPad mini 4 when I am out and about.

You usually will have faster internet connection if the iPad has LTE built in that using the hot spot on your phone. Also, battery life is better on iPad than many phones.

I plan to buy the next iPad Pro 12.9 when it comes out. I will definitely get the cellular functional version once again instead of just the wifi.

If they would make the Apple Watch application accessible to iPads, I would no longer need an iphone. If this were to happen, I would have a mini ipad and an apple watch.

 

[dukeblue219]

There's a lot of private and commercial pilots out there using iPads with Foreflight or Garmin apps. The apps are quite sophisticated, and while many pair them with more advanced GPS or GPS+ADSB receivers, the built-in GPS works remarkably well.

 

[dukeblue219]

Consumer GPS signals have purposeful error put into the location. This was a concession to the military in order to use the GPS satellites because they didn’t want anyone being able to use GPS to guide missiles.

No they don't, and haven't since the Clinton administration. There are many civilian pilots using GPS to fly precision approaches in instrument conditions (typically, certified units, but not necessarily). A WAAS GPS system, available to any consumer, can easily have accuracy in the range of a meter horizontally and vertically.

 

[LogicalApex]

No they don't, and haven't since the Clinton administration. There are many civilian pilots using GPS to fly precision approaches in instrument conditions (typically, certified units, but not necessarily). A WAAS GPS system, available to any consumer, can easily have accuracy in the range of a meter horizontally and vertically.

Isn’t military GPS accurate to a few millimeters? There are separate consumer and military GPS systems in the US. Many consumer applications try to counter it by mixing GPS and GLONASS together.

 

[Richard8655]

My wifi-only iPad can do GPS to a limited degree. It uses internet to track location, which means as long as you're in range in somebody's wifi signal. So this works mostly in an urban setting with overlapping wifi networks all around, instead of relying on cellphone towers.

From Lifewire:

Wi-Fi-Only iPads Can Still Track Your Location​

Confusing the issue somewhat is that a Wi-Fi-only iPad can fairly accurately pinpoint your location under many conditions. As long as it can pick up a few Wi-Fi signals, it can use Wi-Fi positioning, which draws on a database of known Wi-Fi hotspots, to determine where you are located.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I never have or ever will buy a cellular iPad. If you don’t use it as an additional feature, of course there is no advantage having it.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I never have or ever will buy a cellular iPad. If you don’t use it as an additional feature, of course there is no advantage having it.

Really upsets me that I have to pay $20/mo for the privilege of using my cellular plan with an iPad. I got one last year and of course Covid struck so I never used it most of 2020. Got rid of it, I don't plan on going back. I'd be up for a cellular plan if I paid for what I used and it didn't cost $20/mo just sitting there.

 

[Clix Pix]

My plan at AT&T allows me to share the cellular data plan among my devices: two iPhones and two iPads. That way if I'm somewhere with one device and there's no WiFi available, I use whatever I need via cellular data, or split it between two devices. At home it's come in handy when we've had a power outage that has lasted for a while -- I can pick up whichever device is at hand and use it to make contact with the outside world, and when it runs out of juice I just grab another device.....

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Really upsets me that I have to pay $20/mo for the privilege of using my cellular plan with an iPad. I got one last year and of course Covid struck so I never used it most of 2020. Got rid of it, I don't plan on going back. I'd be up for a cellular plan if I paid for what I used and it didn't cost $20/mo just sitting there.

I have the ability to tether mine to my iPhone if I have needed to but I can’t remember the last time I did this. I don’t have to pay extra for that privilege on my contract thankfully.

 

[rui no onna]

Really upsets me that I have to pay $20/mo for the privilege of using my cellular plan with an iPad. I got one last year and of course Covid struck so I never used it most of 2020. Got rid of it, I don't plan on going back. I'd be up for a cellular plan if I paid for what I used and it didn't cost $20/mo just sitting there.

Yeah, it's annoying. Kinda wish they'd do something similar to Google Fi where you can add tablets for free and they just use the same data limits as the phone.

That said, I always use mine a lot so it's worth it for the convenience.

 

[dukeblue219]

Isn’t military GPS accurate to a few millimeters? There are separate consumer and military GPS systems in the US. Many consumer applications try to counter it by mixing GPS and GLONASS together.

Not unless they have classified systems capable of that level. Normal GPS tech just isn't capable of that level to my knowledge. There are certain types of indoor "GPS" that can get precise, for example to drive robots on factory floors, but that diverges substantially from the baseline GPS satellite system.

 

[Ludatyk]

I never have or ever will buy a cellular iPad. If you don’t use it as an additional feature, of course there is no advantage having it.

I use mine for iMessage purposes and everything that goes along with iOS. Most tech enthusiast carry around an iPhone and Android, I carry around an iPad and Android. I’ve grown accustomed to having a cellular iPad throughout the years… so it’s become second nature to me.

 

[Beerstalker]

Not unless they have classified systems capable of that level. Normal GPS tech just isn't capable of that level to my knowledge. There are certain types of indoor "GPS" that can get precise, for example to drive robots on factory floors, but that diverges substantially from the baseline GPS satellite system.

Here is a good site with information on the accuracy of GPS.

GPS.gov: GPS Accuracy

Information about GPS accuracy

www.gps.gov

As DukeBlue219 mentioned there is no difference between "Civilian" and "Military" GPS anymore.

The accuracy of the GPS location on the other posters iPad was likely thrown off because he is in a wooded and possibly hilly area, which causes blockage and reflections of the signal making it less accurate. If he would have been in an open field the accuracy would have been much better.

Available GPS systems in agriculture and construction equipment can usually get down to accuracy within a few centimeters, but those systems tend to be pretty large and expensive. The systems in most phones/tablets are usually only accurate to a few meters.

 

[fricotin]

I never have or ever will buy a cellular iPad. If you don’t use it as an additional feature, of course there is no advantage having it.

I only bought it for the GPS receiver, I couldn't care less about cellular.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I use mine for iMessage purposes and everything that goes along with iOS. Most tech enthusiast carry around an iPhone and Android, I carry around an iPad and Android. I’ve grown accustomed to having a cellular iPad throughout the years… so it’s become second nature to me.

Exactly so if you use cellular on an iPad it’s worth it, if you don’t then it’s not worth the extra outlay or the added monthly tariff.

 

[Jimpilot]

Consumer GPS signals have purposeful error put into the location. This was a concession to the military in order to use the GPS satellites because they didn’t want anyone being able to use GPS to guide missiles. It also cuts out if it determines you’re going over a certain speed or height as those would indicate you may be a missile.

No longer true. In May 2000 that inaccuracy was turned off. There is now no difference in the signal quality.

GPS.gov: GPS Accuracy

Information about GPS accuracy

www.gps.gov

Edit: Woops just saw that this was also posted above.

 

[spatlese44]

My 2020 iPad Air has cellular and no data plan only because I wanted the GPS. Taking Amtrak sometimes like to see where we are and also like the idea of using it on road trip. With COVID haven’t been doing much of either of those. Old iPad Air first generation sits at home but would be in trunk of car if it had GPS, which is where current one will be when I upgrade next. Not sure I’ll justify the cost in the long run but thought I’d try it this time. I tend to hang on to these a long time, so thought it a minor expense.

 

[Ray2]

Any advantage of having a iPad with cellular too if you never use it ?

No “if you never use it”. Kind of odd responses you’re getting.