iPad Pro Opinions on cellular Pro

[Ladon08]

So I am currently using a new 11 inch M1 pro. I opted for the 512gb with WiFi only. After using for a couple weeks, I am weighing my options again prior to the return window closing.

My alternative would be a step down in memory with the addition of 5G. On the memory side, I’m thinking that 512 is overkill for my uses (though I am loving not giving a passing thought to storage due to my surplus). I also really like the idea of a 5G iPad but the benefits would all be felt during travel for the most part. I typically travel constantly for work but that obviously dropped off last year. While I don’t think it will ever get back to the level it was at, i am assuming it will pick up again soon.

So I know it’s totally a case by case scenario but I am curious on people’s thoughts on the cellular models. Did you go with or skip cellular and why? Also curious about your thoughts on battery life with those models. I know apple quotes roughly 10 percent less life but is that purely while on something other than WiFi or can we expect to get slightly worse battery life at all times due to those hardware changes?

Another thing fueling my thought process is the apple rebate promo on cell models ends tomorrow. As luck would have it, it’s lining up perfectly with my return window.

Appreciate your thoughts ahead of time.

 

[AutomaticApple]

So I am currently using a new 11 inch M1 pro. I opted for the 512gb with WiFi only. After using for a couple weeks, I am weighing my options again prior to the return window closing.

My alternative would be a step down in memory with the addition of 5G. On the memory side, I’m thinking that 512 is overkill for my uses (though I am loving not giving a passing thought to storage due to my surplus). I also really like the idea of a 5G iPad but the benefits would all be felt during travel for the most part. I typically travel constantly for work but that obviously dropped off last year. While I don’t think it will ever get back to the level it was at, i am assuming it will pick up again soon.

So I know it’s totally a case by case scenario but I am curious on people’s thoughts on the cellular models. Did you go with or skip cellular and why? Also curious about your thoughts on battery life with those models. I know apple quotes roughly 10 percent less life but is that purely while on something other than WiFi or can we expect to get slightly worse battery life at all times due to those hardware changes?

Another thing fueling my thought process is the apple rebate promo on cell models ends tomorrow. As luck would have it, it’s lining up perfectly with my return window.

Appreciate your thoughts ahead of time.

I went with cellular because I often take my iPad Pro outside to use as a laptop.

 

[Shirasaki]

Just the idea of using the iPad doing online stuff while draining the battery of your only communication device is terrible. Wifi iPad only works for people who are very confident everywhere they travel will have good wifi, otherwise pick the cellular model. The sheer benefit of keeping your device connected and can operate independently (mostly) from your iPhone is an absolute game changer to me. Same for me going for cellular Apple Watch from day 1. Yes, it has a huge premium to it, but I’d argue it pays itself off easily, possibly several times over.

Plus, iPad has large battery, so in case your iPhone cannot use data or something, you can tether back, giving you a chance to stay connected when needed. Let’s face it: it is much better off to let your iPad die than letting your iPhone die, right?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I use the cellular on my 2020 iPad Pro 3 days a week. I don’t use it as much as I used to but, it is worth it to me to have unlimited data available for $20 / month.

 

[Ladon08]

I use the cellular on my 2020 iPad Pro 3 days a week. I don’t use it as much as I used to but, it is worth it to me to have unlimited data available for $20 / month.

Which service to you use? I would be adding mine to my unlimited Verizon plan. Looks like I have a $10 and $15 option, the pricier of which just gives me access that mmWave 5g

 

[terryw1]

Went with cellular this time and loving it. Internet was down for 4 hours, no impact to me! Then power went the next day for 2 hours. The cellular was a life saver. I only travel about once a month, but having cellular makes it a breeze. Would never go back to WiFi only. Battery life has been great, streamed a movie and have been using the iPad extensively four an additional 5 hours and my 12.9 2021 is only down 11%. Am also in the middle of a move, can’t tell you how East the cellular made it. On Verizon unlimited for 10 a month. No way would I ever go WiFi only again.

 

[jdb8167]

Cellular all the way. I can get 5 GB for 5 months for $10 from T-Mobile which fits my purpose perfectly right now or I can add a subscription later if I need more data. Right now that 5 GB usually lasts about 2.5 months. Very inexpensive. The convenience of not worrying about finding WiFi is worth the initial cost of the hardware.

 

[ericwn]

Travelled half the world with an iPhone and a WiFi iPad. In civilisation, of course, but it worked well for me so far. Same thoughts on notebooks btw. Never needed one with a dedicated cellular.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Which service to you use? I would be adding mine to my unlimited Verizon plan. Looks like I have a $10 and $15 option, the pricier of which just gives me access that mmWave 5g

I have T-Mobile.

 

[Ladon08]

to update, I did end up returning the 512 for 256 cellular. Considering I was sitting on 300+ gbs with me TRYING to fill it, I think 256 is more than enough. Now I have the benefit of cell service so I’ll take it. Thanks for all the input

 

[Apple_Robert]

to update, I did end up returning the 512 for 256 cellular. Considering I was sitting on 300+ gbs with me TRYING to fill it, I think 256 is more than enough. Now I have the benefit of cell service so I’ll take it. Thanks for all the input

If you don't think you will use a lot of cell service with the iPad, T-Mobile offers 5GB / 180 days for $10. You can sign up for the plan on the iPad > cellular plan

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

A lot of people will way “just tether,” but I’m in the cellular camp. I conduct business via Zoom call, and when people are paying to talk to me, I want to be able to instantly and seamlessly switch to LTE/5G when the WiFi connection is behaving badly.

 

[Apple_Robert]

A lot of people will way “just tether,” but I’m in the cellular camp. I conduct business via Zoom call, and when people are paying to talk to me, I want to be able to instantly and seamlessly switch to LTE/5G when the WiFi connection is behaving badly.

Very true. Tethering speed can be slow and unpredictable, not to mention using a lot of battery.

 

[Ladon08]

A lot of people will way “just tether,” but I’m in the cellular camp. I conduct business via Zoom call, and when people are paying to talk to me, I want to be able to instantly and seamlessly switch to LTE/5G when the WiFi connection is behaving badly.

Yeah that‘s definitely a good point. A large part of my business (like everyone‘s now) has to do with video conferencing, usually with companies that are in my exact opposite time zone in China. That just throws another wrench into things whenever rescheduling has to take place for small, avoidable things like dropped connections. Even if this is secondary, having that insurance on my data connectivity is well worth any price.

Thank you for further justifying my purchase!

 

[Ladon08]

May be an idiotic question, but for you cellular users, are you turning off cellular data while not in use? My example would be while I’m home, I get very poor cell signal so naturally the “no cell signal” category is what’s leading my battery drain. So do you usually cruise with it off until you actually need it?

 

[darngooddesign]

May be an idiotic question, but for you cellular users, are you turning off cellular data while not in use? My example would be while I’m home, I get very poor cell signal so naturally the “no cell signal” category is what’s leading my battery drain. So do you usually cruise with it off until you actually need it?

If you are connected to a wifi network, no cell data would be used. But yeah, you could turn it off quickly with the control center toggle.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I have always had cellular on my iPads and even though I don’t use it all that much, it’s great to have it when traveling. I’m happy to pay for a plan just for the convenience of having it.
I can’t compare battery life as cellular is all I know. Mine is mostly on WiFi when at home; although our internet broadband company is awful.

 

[lightfire]

If you don't think you will use a lot of cell service with the iPad, T-Mobile offers 5GB / 180 days for $10. You can sign up for the plan on the iPad > cellular plan

Not unless you already have a cell plan with t-mobile. One cant purchase a new data plan on t-mobile straight from the ipad. unless they already have cell plan.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not unless you already have a cell plan with t-mobile. One cant purchase a new data plan on t-mobile straight from the ipad. unless they already have cell plan.

My father was on Verizon for his phone (at the time) and signed up for the T-Mobile plan straight from the iPad. I don't believe the iPad plan I mentioned requires an established phone line service.

 

[lightfire]

My father was on Verizon for his phone (at the time) and signed up for the T-Mobile plan straight from the iPad. I don't believe the iPad plan I mentioned requires an established phone line service.

Try it from iPad T-mobile - It will ask for a ph number. This means one cannot sign up for a new plan direct from the iPad. I had to call.

 

[LibbyLA]

Try it from iPad T-mobile - It will ask for a ph number. This means one cannot sign up for a new plan direct from the iPad. I had to call.

I got the 150 days, 5 G, $10 plan straight from my iPad and I don’t have a T-mo cell phone.

 

[lightfire]

I got the 150 days, 5 G, $10 plan straight from my iPad and I don’t have a T-mo cell phone.

a person HAS to enter a ph number. And my cell ph is a pre-paid plan; doesn’t work - I tried. I spoke with apple support and with 4 t-monile reps trying to figure a way to do it from iPad Pro. I assume you are on a post-paid plan and it took your phone number in order to proceed?

 

[LibbyLA]

a person HAS to enter a ph number. And my cell ph is a pre-paid plan; doesn’t work - I tried. I spoke with apple support and with 4 t-monile reps trying to figure a way to do it from iPad Pro. I assume you are on a post-paid plan and it took your phone number in order to proceed?

I didn’t have to enter a phone number. I have Verizon cell phone service and AT&T prepaid service on two iPads. I have the T-Mo plan on three iPads. I do not have T-Mo service on any phone.

 

[LibbyLA]

a person HAS to enter a ph number. And my cell ph is a pre-paid plan; doesn’t work - I tried. I spoke with apple support and with 4 t-monile reps trying to figure a way to do it from iPad Pro. I assume you are on a post-paid plan and it took your phone number in order to proceed?

This is my iPP 11 2018 that I transferred the AT&T prepaid plan from to my 2021 iPP 11. Now maybe this 5 month 5 GB plan isn’t what you had in mind so maybe you must have a phone number for a different kind of plan, but I bought this plan right from the iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

a person HAS to enter a ph number. And my cell ph is a pre-paid plan; doesn’t work - I tried. I spoke with apple support and with 4 t-monile reps trying to figure a way to do it from iPad Pro. I assume you are on a post-paid plan and it took your phone number in order to proceed?

For Pay As You Go $10/5GB/5 month prepaid plan, all I needed was an email address.

Maybe if you're trying to setup a postpaid plan, then it needs a T-Mobile cellphone number.