iPad Pro Is it worth to spend extra $$ on iPad Pro with cellular?

[rui no onna]

I'm not in the iOS ecosystem but read comments that connecting to an iPhone hotspot from an iPad is automatic.

It’s supposed to. For me, there’s usually several seconds delay after unlocking before internet begins working though.

Plus, the automatic hotspot frequently likes to fail at the most inopportune times (e.g. during a meeting) sometimes requiring a reboot of both iPhone and iPad in order to work again.

 

[rui no onna]

How does your phone autoconnect? iPhone? How does it have hotspot on all the time? Isn’t that waste of battery most of time?

iOS does not auto connect. Once hotspot is off you have to go in setting and turn it on again otherwise iPad won’t see it in WiFi. It takes few steps as I outlined above.

The initial handshake for instant hotspot is handle by bluetooth so wifi hotspot isn’t actually working all the time.

Unless you turn your bluetooth off, there’s really no battery drain by enabling instant hotspot.

 

[ppetrovic]

^^ can confirm this is how it works. Hotspot is off by default and activates itself only if another Apple device initiates the connection over Bluetooth. It also gets automatically disabled once the other device disconnects. It all just works flawlessly

 

[rui no onna]

^^ can confirm this is how it works. Hotspot is off by default and activates itself only if another Apple device initiates the connection over Bluetooth. It also gets automatically disabled once the other device disconnects. It all just works flawlessly

I wouldn't call it flawless. It's failed on me several times.

Also, if there's network congestion, hotspot data is often deprioritized depending on carrier.

 

[ppetrovic]

First world problems, I guess.

I can't remember a single time it failed to connect automatically, and hotspot data is not deprioritized where I live (yet). Even if that was the case, the iPhone hotspot would still be good enough for me since it's been over a year since I had to use my iPhone as a hotspot for my WiFi iPad given that I use an iPad at home, indoors only.

Cellular iPads are crazy expensive over here and while data plans are cheap, it all adds up for a hefty TCO eventually.

 

[rui no onna]

First world problems, I guess.

I can't remember a single time it failed to connect automatically, and hotspot data is not deprioritized where I live (yet). Even if that was the case, the iPhone hotspot would still be good enough for me since it's been over a year since I had to use my iPhone as a hotspot for my WiFi iPad given that I use an iPad at home, indoors only.

Cellular iPads are crazy expensive over here and while data plans are cheap, it all adds up for a hefty TCO eventually.

I carry the iPad with me everyday (purse) and I often use it instead of my phone. Instant hotspot might be fine for occasional use but it's not solid enough for ~9 hours of intermittent daily use.

Plus hotspot really kills the battery on my iPhone SE so I need to leave it charging all the time.

 

[jlc1978]

I carry the iPad with me everyday (purse) and I often use it instead of my phone. Instant hotspot might be fine for occasional use but it's not solid enough for ~9 hours of intermittent daily use.

Plus hotspot really kills the battery on my iPhone SE so I need to leave it charging all the time.

Which it is why the decsion to go ellular or use a hotspot comes down to one's use case; tehre is no one rigt answer. Clearly a hotspot would be less useful for you. As always, YMMV.

 

[rui no onna]

Which it is why the decsion to go ellular or use a hotspot comes down to one's use case; tehre is no one rigt answer. Clearly a hotspot would be less useful for you. As always, YMMV.

It's really a case of if you need cellular you already know it. If you have to ask, then you probably don't need it.

 

[jlc1978]

It's really a case of if you need cellular you already know it. If you have to ask, then you probably don't need it.

Certainly, especially if you are using a device without it and having issues; but sometimes people think they may need something they will never use. We've all been there; for example I probably didn't need an M3 Max MBP; but bought one anyway.

When I get asked for advice I always ask how do they plant to use the device, what are must haves, etc.; that way I have the information needed to make an informed recommendation.

I've never been a fan of the "I use this so it must be right for you" approach I feel people are sometimes trying to justify their choice rather than find a solution that meets someone else's needs.

 

[ppetrovic]

If you need cellular connectivity on an iPad for ~9 hours per day, then sure, go ahead and get yourself a cellular iPad, it's a worthy investment.

But if you need it occasionally for a few minutes or a few hours, that changes the math considerably.

 

[rui no onna]

But if you need it occasionally for a few minutes or a few hours, that changes the math considerably.

I still get cellular iPads for my non-techie parents.

Their iPads don’t have a monthly plan but cellular is handy when they’re traveling and I’m not with them to help troubleshoot connectivity issues. I can just install a SIM/eSIM and top up remotely as needed.

 

[muzzy996]

Funny how math works . . on the one hand, for me the decision between cellular and WiFi is a no-brainer as the cost difference for me financially is seemingly meaningless compared to the convenience of always on and completely independent data connection. I seem to have no problem paying monthly for data plan on my Mini 6. On the other hand, I can't seem to justify upgrading my 2017 iPP 12.9 cellular because I feel like the new iPPs are overpriced for what I use my iPads for, yet I am reluctant to drop down to a new Air or standard iPad. I must be bonkers, cause math is math but my logic clearly stinks, LOL.

 

[rui no onna]

Funny how math works . . on the one hand, for me the decision between cellular and WiFi is a no-brainer as the cost difference for me financially is seemingly meaningless compared to the convenience of always on and completely independent data connection. I seem to have no problem paying monthly for data plan on my Mini 6. On the other hand, I can't seem to justify upgrading my 2017 iPP 12.9 cellular because I feel like the new iPPs are overpriced for what I use my iPads for, yet I am reluctant to drop down to a new Air or standard iPad. I must be bonkers, cause math is math but my logic clearly stinks, LOL.

Value is pretty subjective.

What I find more interesting are folks plunking down $$$ for top of the line phones every 1-2 years but think $20 for an app is too much.

 

[SYCAMOREGRAD]

I am planning to buy M2 iPad Pro 11 inch having 256GB storage. Is it worth to pay extra $100 for cellular. If I am carrying my iPad out of my house I will connect internet through my iPhone by using Wi-Fi hotspot. But its shocking that iPads without cellular doesn't support GPS. It is something that I need, because I access maps on bigger screen

The first two iPads I had(Gen 1 and Gen 3) were WiFi only. And it kinda sucked to have to go to starbucks or wherever for free wifi. But starting with iPad Pro, I purchased through my carrier and it is SO CONVENIENT! I could never go back. But I’m seeing a $200 increase for the newest iPP’s. Adding the cellular option was $130 across the board for at least 10 years. #applebeingapple

 

[muzzy996]

The first two iPads I had(Gen 1 and Gen 3) were WiFi only. And it kinda sucked to have to go to starbucks or wherever for free wifi. But starting with iPad Pro, I purchased through my carrier and it is SO CONVENIENT! I could never go back. But I’m seeing a $200 increase for the newest iPP’s. Adding the cellular option was $130 across the board for at least 10 years. #applebeingapple

Just on the Pro models . . the standard Ipad, Air and Mini have an MSRP of $150 more for cellular vs wifi. It apparently costs $50 more for licensing and implementation of cellular in Pro models.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I used to get ALL my iPads with cellular. I had the very first iPad with unlimited cellular from AT&T that i just transferred from iPad to iPad for 10 years. But then AT&T started throttling the original unlimited data plan. So I finally gave it up. Ever since I just get the wifi iPad Pro & tether it to my iphone. Plus I mainly use my iPad Pro at home anyway where there is always wifi. I do however get cellular on my iPad mini since it’s more portable.

 

[richpjr]

At one point I only got iPads with cellular but 4 or 5 years ago switched to wifi only and have never run into an issue using my iPhone as a hotspot. It works so good I can't justify paying for a cellular model.