Cellular iPad is the only way for me. I don’t want to depend on WiFi when I am outside. Also, the cellular model has assisted GPS.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad with or without cellular
- Thread starter slstein
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I very rarely use my IPP away from WiFi but the times I do I’d rather not demolish my iPhone’s battery using it as a hotspot. Worth it for me.
I have had both and today I wouldn’t get it. Just press your iPhone in the wifi menu and you are good to go. Back when hotspotting was manual setup it was annoying but now it is easy.
I have cellular on all my devices. I hate having to use my phone as a hotspot.
Of course, we have also been living solely on data out here for several years (very recently got satellite wifi), so every device with cellular gave me that much more data at the highest speeds before getting throttled.
Now that we have the wifi, I've considered whether I'll get the mini 5 with or without cellular, but, in all likelihood, I'll just go ahead with the cellular version. We lose power a good bit here too due to storms and weather, and we're rural so we don't always get power back right away. We have a couple of huge generators, but having cellular devices keeps me connected even when the satellite won't get service.
Of course, we have also been living solely on data out here for several years (very recently got satellite wifi), so every device with cellular gave me that much more data at the highest speeds before getting throttled.
Now that we have the wifi, I've considered whether I'll get the mini 5 with or without cellular, but, in all likelihood, I'll just go ahead with the cellular version. We lose power a good bit here too due to storms and weather, and we're rural so we don't always get power back right away. We have a couple of huge generators, but having cellular devices keeps me connected even when the satellite won't get service.
Never had much use of the cellular option. Unless I get unlimited cellular on all of my devices I refuse to throw extra money in the form of an additional contract at any phone carrier. Same goes for my Apple Watch. Cellular doesn’t make much sense to me.
On the go I use my iPhone as hotspot. The impact on the battery is not too bad and establishing the connection is easy and fast.
On the go I use my iPhone as hotspot. The impact on the battery is not too bad and establishing the connection is easy and fast.
Agreed I’ve always done this. As far back as 2012 and never had any issues.
I use my iPad for work, and I do not want to be watched by my employer's wifi, so I went cellular. This is the first time I've gotten a cellular iPad and I love it. It has been nice when I need to run errands and need to wait (rotating tires, etc.). I'd only go back to wifi only if I was retired and knew I was going to stay home a lot.
I think it depends on usage and carrier and price, for example I was ok taking a deal from Verizon for 100 off of their cellular model size I usually go with cellular for my iPad and wifi for my son. The price isn't too steep for monthly use on my plan at $10 as opposed to the $20 line access for an iPhone.You need to look at how and when you will use it to make your choice.
I've had cellular iPads since the iPad 2 because there are a lot of places where I have no wifi access. Right now I have a wifi-only 12.9", but my Mini 5 is LTE/wifi, and it gets used a good bit on the cell radio. Yes, I could hotspot the iPads from my phone, but that isn't always convenient, and you can run a battery down fairly quickly if you're doing heavy lifting on the laptop or iPad.
I never buy the cellular version. I have access to wifi nearly everywhere I go. For those rare occasions that I need wifi and don't have it, I use my phone as a hotspot... $5 for the month that I need it. Between the additional cost for the cellular version and the monthly charge, I've saved a ton going this route.
But for those who often find themselves in places without wifi, I can see where it make sense.
But for those who often find themselves in places without wifi, I can see where it make sense.
Tethering from my phone is free on my plan and I have 100GB of data every month so there really is no point in getting a cellular iPad.
I just Instant Hotspot off my Phone.
I pay enough per month for my XS Max seems pointless to take another contract out when I have so much data on my phone plan.
Only time I really hotspot for long periods thou is when in work and both devices are plugged in.
I pay enough per month for my XS Max seems pointless to take another contract out when I have so much data on my phone plan.
Only time I really hotspot for long periods thou is when in work and both devices are plugged in.
I got the cellular version because :
1 - I travel frequently, and it's a lot easier to flip the cover and go ( vs initiating tethering on the phone )
2 - As a backup to my mobile device
3 - Saves the battery on my mobile device since I don't have to tether
4 - Can act as a mobile hotspot for my laptop (if needed, and it has), and the larger battery doesn't discharge as quick.
5 - Scored a free data (10GB monthly, with rollover ) line from TMobile on one of their 'This one on us' line promos
1 - I travel frequently, and it's a lot easier to flip the cover and go ( vs initiating tethering on the phone )
2 - As a backup to my mobile device
3 - Saves the battery on my mobile device since I don't have to tether
4 - Can act as a mobile hotspot for my laptop (if needed, and it has), and the larger battery doesn't discharge as quick.
5 - Scored a free data (10GB monthly, with rollover ) line from TMobile on one of their 'This one on us' line promos
This is my first iPad that is WiFi only and so far it is working our well. I generally buy cellular so I always have the backup but, truth be told, I rarely ever used it so I decided to give WiFi only (with my phone as a hotspot for my backup) a shot. I just went on a trip and was able to find WiFi even in places I had low cellular connectivity. I think it’s a decision based on usage. I live in a fairly big city and I have no plans taking the iPad out hiking, or other places, where WiFi is unlikely. Were I rural, or using it for things like nature photography or heavy photo/music/video editing, then I think cellular is the way to go. Just my .02¢.
Not to argue against your point but I paid $50 more for the cellular iPad than the wifi equivalent and I pay $10 a month for the line access. if you pay $5 most months you're saving $5 most months plus the 50 overall iPad cost. That hardly is a "ton" you're saving. I rather pay that little extra to save draining the battery on my iPhone. But every person may have different needs depending on wifi access. I don't mind paying that extra because where I work the wifi is spotty and often slow.
I always have a cellular iPad, actually I have two now, 10.5 and mini 5. 12.9 is wifi only.
Reasons: great in power outages but mostly useful on the go as I don’t like using unprotected public wifi, certainly not for banking or any other password important things. and I can’t be bothered with tethering. I don’t steam video on cellular, as I have a plan for a year that is only 30 gb, but I can browse, read stuff, do messages and mail, and if I’m writing, google stuff.
Also, use it for gps.
I find it well worth the extra money.
Reasons: great in power outages but mostly useful on the go as I don’t like using unprotected public wifi, certainly not for banking or any other password important things. and I can’t be bothered with tethering. I don’t steam video on cellular, as I have a plan for a year that is only 30 gb, but I can browse, read stuff, do messages and mail, and if I’m writing, google stuff.
Also, use it for gps.
I find it well worth the extra money.
I really don't understand why you are arguing against my point when I clearly stated that rarely do I need wifi and not have it. And I took the time to explain that for people who often find themselves without wifi, then the cellular model is worth it. That would be you.
The cellular version of the iPad is $150 more than wifi only. Some carriers offer the rare discount, but that is not usually applicable. I'll define "rarely without wifi".... like 5 times a year within a 1 month window.
That's $5 for the year, for the hotspot. Compare that to $10 a month for a data plan: $120... a year. I keep my iPads about 2 years. That's $240+$150 = $390. THAT is a ton of money. edit: I forgot to subtract the 2 months of hotspot, $10 = net savings $380.
Lol, I recently tethered my sim-cardless iPhone SE to my LTE iPad mini 4. Cellular equipped iPads all the way!!!
I really don't understand why you are arguing against my point when I clearly stated that rarely do I need wifi and not have it. And I took the time to explain that for people who often find themselves without wifi, then the cellular model is worth it. That would be you.
The cellular version of the iPad is $150 more than wifi only. Some carriers offer the rare discount, but that is not usually applicable. I'll define "rarely without wifi".... like 5 times a year within a 1 month window.
That's $5 for the year, for the hotspot. Compare that to $10 a month for a data plan: $120... a year. I keep my iPads about 2 years. That's $240+$150 = $390. THAT is a ton of money. edit: I forgot to subtract the 2 months of hotspot, $10 = net savings $380.
I wasn't arguing against your wifi needs. Also Verizon has had a 100-200 off sale for days and just about every month, not rare at all. I bought one just this week. My experience and anybody who can wait a little for a decent sale on an iPad are looking at a 180-280 difference over two years. That can very well be a difference of $7.50-$11.60 a month for cellular service. Hell even paying full price is $15.80 a month. I'm just saying that to me that much a month isn't a ton of savings like you claim. I agree with you as far as everyones needs may vary person to person.
I've always bought cellular versions even though I rarely take them out of my house. With T-Mobile, the unlimited plan is just $20 and honestly, I'll never even come close to using 50 GB and I never even come close to that on my phone. It's nice to have the connection when there's a power outage.
I have an iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4, 12.9" iPad Pro, all cellular.
I have an iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4, 12.9" iPad Pro, all cellular.
I used to travel a lot for work and cellular was a no-brainer for me. But I have not been traveling nearly as much lately, so after looking at how little data I was actually using on it, I went WiFi only this time, with some trepidation. I haven't missed it at all. I was only paying $10 a month so it's not like it was a major expense, but why spend money for something when you don't really need to?
Bought WiFi version of the 10.5 Pro. It is replacing my 11” MacBook Air, which doesn’t have cellular modem either, so no difference in that regards.
But I always bought cellular version of the iPad mini, currently with cellular version of the mini 5. It’s ultra convenient for a very portable device, and it really improves its usability as I can do what I need almost anywhere I am, even if I don’t have my phone handy.
But I always bought cellular version of the iPad mini, currently with cellular version of the mini 5. It’s ultra convenient for a very portable device, and it really improves its usability as I can do what I need almost anywhere I am, even if I don’t have my phone handy.