ipad lte vs wifi

[tim1000]

I am considering cellular or wifi for my new iPad. I have had cellular in the past but seldom used it so was considering going wifi. what are your thoughts?

 

[melman101]

I always get LTE, but never use it. This year going WiFi since I can tether to my phone.

 

[cmaier]

There are already multiple threads on this, btw.

FWIW, if you don’t use it much, get Wi-Fi and use your phone as a hot spot. I always get cellular, as it makes it much more flexible. You can always buy access by the day if need be.

 

[EEzycade]

In my opinion, just do wifi

 

[canyonblue737]

If you have a reasonable tethering plan already included on your cellphone plan and don't travel on a very regular basis I wouldn't do LTE.

 

[fricotin]

Wifi = no GPS !

 

[melman101]

Wifi = no GPS !

In owning LTE iPads for 8 years, I've never once used the GPS . LOL

 

[penajmz]

I usually do WiFi only and use hotspot on my phone if I need it, which is rare.

 

[iHeartsteve]

I was debating this as well. I had cellular data on my iPad mini but hardly used it so I was thinking of canceling the data plan. However, I ended up getting LTE on my new iPad Pro bc our WiFi Verizon internet is down in our area for the past 2 days. I feel like it’s good back up plan to have if you can’t get WiFi.

 

[nburwell]

If the OP rarely uses cellular, just get the wifi model. Plus, with the money they save, they put it towards an accessory or AC+.

I always get wifi only iPad's and if I use it outside of the house, I'll tether to my iPhone.

 

[fricotin]

In owning LTE iPads for 8 years, I've never once used the GPS . LOL

I’ve only used LTE for the GPS.

 

[sparksd]

I originally got LTE for the GPS but found it useful to have - I'll always get it on a new device.

 

[melman101]

I’ve only used LTE for the GPS.

I'm curious, for what?

Mel

 

[ericwn]

The mods should make this a sticky, we had this exact question already this week.

Personally, I always get the WiFi models since tethering to my iPhone costs me nothing extra and is quick and easy anytime.

 

[marmiteturkey]

I always get LTE these days; pulling my iPad out of my bag and bashing off a few emails/reading the news on the train without having to tether is great.

I could survive quite happily with my phone hotspot, but I love the self-contained nature of the iPad.

 

[fricotin]

“I'm curious, for what?”

Right until last month I didn’t have an iPhone, only an iPod touch which doesn’t have one. I travel a lot in Latin America and my iPad is what I used to orient myself.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I always have LTE....useful for those spots where there is no wifi and saves the bother of tethering to my phone

 

[ChristianVirtual]

My first iPad was LTE, back in day with expensive contracts and sim lock. Then I went wifi only with mobile wifi/LTE router.

This cycle I’m back to LTE, sim-lock free and reasonable data/sms plans

 

[Teach4]

I got WiFi only this time as I felt I didn’t use cellular. Never set up a plan for it. Now I am wondering if I was stupid not to get WiFi/Lte. What do you think?

 

[jagolden]

We always go cellular with our iPads.
We use them on the road for Waze, Maps, etc, and there’s also no wi-fi available.
Also at our destinations many of the wi-fi connections are unsecured which we refuse to use for anything.
Yeah it cost more but for us it’s worth it.
Also, living in the upper northeast US, when we lose power during a storm we can still browse and stuff using our data plan.
This is just my outlook. Others may have differing, legitimate outlooks.

 

[Capt T]

I am considering cellular or wifi for my new iPad. I have had cellular in the past but seldom used it so was considering going wifi. what are your thoughts?

If you rarely used it, then not sure you need cellular.

 

[Never mind]

We had a hurricane in Florida last year and by golly I was so glad to have cellular service. But this year I only got Wi-Fi thinking that I can use my phone for a few days in a pinch.

 

[Aluminum213]

I would only get the Wi-Fi only model if I couldn’t financially for the cellular model

 

[ChristianVirtual]

Another advantage for me and reason for lte this time was also the desire for eSIM. Will make travel easier when I can simply choose a temporary plan instead of chasing a local SIM

 

[TheColtr]

For me I always go cellular. Sure it costs about 20 bucks a month for unlimited data. But for me I don’t like using public WiFi. I’m on the go a lot, and with my job I’m able to use vpn and do my work wherever I am. I could use a hotspot but I find that they are slower and drain the phones battery which is not ideal when I’m on the road.

I’ve had cellular iPads and WiFi only and i find that when I have a WiFi only iPad I keep wishing for cellular.

If you can afford the extra $150 for a cellular iPad then get it, unless you only use the iPad at home, and never take it anywhere, you will end up wanting cellular at some point. And with esim on the iPad it’s super easy to purchase prepaid data.