All iPads Which iPhone/iPad combo would you rather have?

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Everyone rationalizes every buy decision they make. Why do I want to buy ice cream today? I want to eat ice cream today. Why do I want this car vs. that car? I like this car better than that car.

I'm certainly NOT telling others what they do or do not need. I'm just sharing something that works well for me and is applicable to the conversation in this thread. If it helps someone else, great. If it doesn't work for anyone else, that's fine too.

And 911 is VALUABLE- no question at all. My way compromises that option a bit. But my way also saves me a couple of thousand dollars vs. the other option. And my workarounds involve having to be able to dial either 10 digits or "speed dialing" with one button click.

I happen to live in what is called a thousand year flood plane. It means the odds in my place being flooded is extreme long shot- once every thousand years. Based upon that, I don't pay the extra money for flood insurance. I hope I never regret not paying those extra hundreds year after year. If my "gamble" is wrong, I'll certainly wish I had it when I absolutely need it... even if only once. To protect oneself against all "certainly glad I had it when I need it" scenarios, we could spend every nickel we make and then some.

None of that should be taken as judging anyone. Everyone should make their own decisions about their own wants, security, etc. I pay a lot of money specifically for hurricane insurance. That's a real risk for my location. Someone living in Montana or New Mexico wouldn't have any need for Hurricane coverage, so I wouldn't expect them to pay for it. Again, I just contribute something that works well for me and saves a lot of money without feeling like it involves a lot of compromises (through my OWN lens). Some may find that helpful. Others will be happy with whatever they choose. Everyone wins.

 

[PandaPunch]

Everyone rationalizes every buy decision they make. Why do I want to buy ice cream today? I want to eat ice cream today. Why do I want this car vs. that car? I like this car better than that car.

I'm certainly NOT telling others what they do or do not need. I'm just sharing something that works well for me and is applicable to the conversation in this thread. If it helps someone else, great. If it doesn't work for anyone else, that's fine too.

And 911 is VALUABLE- no question at all. My way compromises that option a bit. But my way also saves me a couple of thousand dollars vs. the other option. And my workarounds involve having to be able to dial either 10 digits or "speed dialing" with one button click.

I happen to live in what is called a thousand year flood plane. It means the odds in my place being flooded is extreme long shot- once every thousand years. Based upon that, I don't pay the extra money for flood insurance. I hope I never regret not paying those extra hundreds year after year. If my "gamble" is wrong, I'll certainly wish I had it when I absolutely need it... even if only once. To protect oneself against all "certainly glad I had it when I need it", we could spend every nickel we make and then some.

None of that should be taken as judging anyone. Everyone should make their own decisions about their own wants, security, etc. Again, I just contribute something that works well for me and saves a lot of money without feeling like it involves a lot of compromises (through my OWN lens). Some may find that helpful. Others will be happy with whatever they choose. Everyone wins.

I'm honestly curious what plans do you see people with? I use Cricket Wireless, I'm on a family plan but if I went by myself I can get a $30 a month plan which is only $360 a year. That's a far cry from spending thousands a year.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Look around these threads. You'll see people griping about the cell phone bill being well north of what you pay. Many are not on Cricket of other low-cost MVNOs. If I went with a phone, Cricket would be worth really considering. Tracphone, Walmart's home brand and several others are down in that price range too. Some people MAY (I can't quite tell) still have this T-Mobile plan of 5GB/150 days for $10 plan: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/t-mobile-5gb-150-days-10-lte-plan.2109643/ I'd like to get on THAT one if I could. WOW! I'd be down to only $20/yr for continuous service.

Relative to how I use this Mini also as my "phone" if I wanted continuous cellular, it's $120/yr. There's another "plan" for data only that is $7/month, so I could get that down to about what I actually pay each year and have continuous cellular vs. my "buy it again when I need it" approach.

Since iPads tend to "keep up" with iOS updates, they don't seem to get that "long in tooth" perception we use to rationalize needing to "upgrade" phones every year or two. I just rode Mini 2 for 6 years. I expect that 6 to be my "phone" + tablet for the next 4-6. That means I won't be spending iPhone prices every year or two for the next 4-6 cycles.

Against Cricket and similar, the relative "savings" will be less- a few hundred for service plus however frequently you buy a new iPhone in the next 4-6 years. Others not on discounted cellular plans pay much more than you do for cellular. There's even more savings for them if this could work for any of them.

 

[PandaPunch]

Look around these threads. You'll see people griping about the cell phone bill being well north of what you pay. Many are not on Cricket of other low-cost MVNOs. If I went with a phone, Cricket would be worth really considering. Tracphone, Walmart's home brand and several others are down in that price range too.

Relatively to how I use this Mini also as my "phone" if I wanted continuous cellular, it's $120/yr. There's another "plan" for data only that is $7/month, so I could get that down to about what I actually pay each year and have continuous cellular vs. my "buy it again when I need it" approach.

Since iPads tend to "keep up" with iOS updates, they don't seem to get that "long in tooth" perception we use to rationalize needing to "upgrade" every year or two. I just rode Mini 2 for 6 years. I expect that 6 to be my "phone" + tablet for the next 4-6. That means I won't be spending iPhone prices every year or two for the next 4-6 cycles.

Against, Cricket and similar, the relative "savings" will be less- a few hundred for service plus however frequently you buy a new iPhone in the next 4-6 years. Others not on discounted cellular plans pay much more than you do for cellular. There's even more savings for them if this could work for any of them.

I get that a lot of people replace their phone on an almost yearly basis but it does sounds like you are posting among likeminded people who don't replace their phone every year in this thread. I own a 2nd Gen SE and short of me earning a ton of disposable money, I'm unlikely to upgrade. I just don't see the need to rail against those who aren't even a part of this discussion.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You seem to be interpreting some kind of rail/fight that's not here at all. I actually feel it's the other way- you are hunting for this fight in my words.

I'm simply sharing an option that works well for me... sharing why it works well for me... and what's in it for me. I'm also sharing compromises it involves and clearly sharing that it's not for everyone. If you go back to my first post in this thread, I use the word "crazy" in the first sentence, as in "here's a crazy idea..."

I pass no judgement nor am I suggesting EVERYONE should get on this exact same train because it's the one and only best way for all. Just the opposite... I'm throwing it out there like someone might throw out a color choice, a case choice, one version vs. another, one cell plan vs. another, etc. This has worked really well for me for YEARS. But I have no illusion/delusion that this is how everyone should go. There ARE tangible compromises.

This thread asks for what combination of phone and tablet is best for those who choose to answer. My answer is that this particular tablet can also double as phone. I value other people's answers too that differ from mine.

I'm trying to be a helpful contributor to this conversation, not pick a fight, put anyone down, etc.

 

[PandaPunch]

I actually feel it's the other way- you are hunting for this fight in my words.

Uh, no I'm not. I'm pointing out that despite not talking anyone that fits your description currently, you sure do focus heavily those who upgrade their phone every year and spend thousands a year on their phone bill.

I'm simply sharing an option that works well for me... sharing why it works well for me... and what's in it for me

Sure, just like it's fine to help you out and add nuance to your setup. If you live outside of a major city and lack the car/walkability to access public wifi, the neighbors willing to share wifi, or the income to pay for your own home internet then that's not going to work. Unless there is something I'm missing, this setup is something only a select few can reasonably pull off. I know one person who could do this and they are an older hermit who only talks to three people who also owns Apple gear but they're still paying for home internet.

What I see is that you are laser focused on the money you're saving by putting up with what I consider major compromises and there's nothing wrong with that, cost of living is high. And I'm laser focused on things like 911 and other features that a regular phone plan gives you because there are situations I'd rather not have a VOIP solution for. A bit of the blowback you got from us was this idea that the need for 911 is unlikely and to your credit you get that some people are going to want things like 911 like I do.

I don't know, I think there's just way more to consider in a major purchase than just the sticker price. If that's all that mattered to me, then I wouldn't be on here because I would have bought a Fire tablet in my early 20s instead of an iPad Mini back then in 2014.

 

[gigapocket1]

Majority of the times. I feel like this 12.9 iPad is too big to use lol

iphone pro Max. Regular iPad pro

 

[subjonas]

Everyone rationalizes every buy decision they make.

? Totally untrue. Some purchases are needed to survive (eg. a home, food, transportation to work, tools to do work, and even a degree of entertainment for mental/emotional health) or live reasonably as defined by each culture and subculture (eg. in my job, it is intolerable to wear one shirt every day to the office). And even purchases that are wants are often not rationalized (eg. I know I don’t need ice cream, but I want it so I will buy it).

I happen to live in what is called a thousand year flood plane. It means the odds in my place being flooded is extreme long shot- once every thousand years. Based upon that, I don't pay the extra money for flood insurance. I hope I never regret not paying those extra hundreds year after year. If my "gamble" is wrong, I'll certainly wish I had it when I absolutely need it... even if only once. To protect oneself against all "certainly glad I had it when I need it" scenarios, we could spend every nickel we make and then some.

Setting aside for a moment that this example is only talking about gambling with property damage while what we’re really talking about is gambling with death—I understand your point is to consider cost vs risk. But this example is flawed in that an individual can predict the likelihood of needing flood insurance based on their living situation. But 911 is statistically necessary in general, because specifically for whom and when it will be necessary is completely unpredictable.
A better analogy to your statement (that the value of 911 depends on how often you use it) is to say that the value of a seat belt depends on how often a driver uses it. But both statements are untrue. They’re both things that you need to have regardless of how often you use them. You actually hope that you never use them. If someone is using them regularly, then they have problems.

I’m not actually arguing against your main point. If one can dial 911 with only a few extra button taps, then that’s probably ok, as long as you aren’t limited to only areas with data reception/wifi. I’m only pointing out any untrue statements and faulty arguments that you’re making in support your main point.

 

[rdavis41]

Majority of the times. I feel like this 12.9 iPad is too big to use lol

iphone pro Max. Regular iPad pro

Me too, yet here I am replying to this thread on a 12.9’’ iPad Pro…. The screen is so amazing and works very well for my annotating of articles for my research.

 

[Boil]

I just want to be able to use an Apple Watch for cellular calls WITHOUT having to have an active iPhone; any iPad/iPad Pro with active cellular service & attached Apple Watch (also with active cellular service) should be enough to allow for an iPhone-free Apple Watch with cellular call abilities...?

 

[Mac47]

I just want to be able to use an Apple Watch for cellular calls WITHOUT having to have an active iPhone…

Amen. I would love this. Apple Watch and iPad Mini, and that’s all.

 

[rui no onna]

I just want to be able to use an Apple Watch for cellular calls WITHOUT having to have an active iPhone; any iPad/iPad Pro with active cellular service & attached Apple Watch (also with active cellular service) should be enough to allow for an iPhone-free Apple Watch with cellular call abilities...?

Sorry, nope. Apple doesn't allow that functionality.

If someone else in the family has an iPhone though, you could do family setup with cellular Apple Watch. No need to have your own iPhone.

 

[QCassidy352]

Not sure why the choices are big/big, medium/medium, and small/small. I like a small phone for one handed use and light weight in a pocket, but since I almost exclusively use an iPad around the house and with two hands, I don’t value the same qualities in an iPad. So my answer would be iPhone mini and 11” or 12.9” iPad Pro.

 

[Boil]

Sorry, nope. Apple doesn't allow that functionality.

If someone else in the family has an iPhone though, you could do family setup with cellular Apple Watch. No need to have your own iPhone.

But does that give me a unique cell phone number...?

 

[rui no onna]

But does that give me a unique cell phone number...?

It should.

Apple extends the Apple Watch experience to the entire family

Family Setup in watchOS 7 brings the communication, health, fitness, and safety features of Apple Watch to kids and older family members.

www.apple.com

Kids and older family members of the household using Family Setup will have their own phone number through a separate cellular plan, and by using their own Apple ID, they can follow their schedule and family events using Calendar, learn to manage tasks with Reminders, view photo albums synced from a guardian’s iPhone, and more.

 

[robinium]

I've got an iPad Pro 12.9 M1 1TB (Silver) and an iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB (Gold) on the way!

 

[svish]

Pro Max iPhone and 11” iPad Pro

 

[kerr]

My perfect combination would be 6.1" iPhone and 10.9" iPad Air.

The new iPad mini looks very nice but at US $499, the price point is ridiculous compared to the iPad Air (US $599).

 

[Wolfpup]

Which combo would you rather have? Doesn’t have to be paired exactly like this.

iPhone 13 Max Pro with XDR 12.9 iPad Pro

iPhone 13 Pro with 11” iPad Pro

iPhone 13 mini/ iPad Mini 6

I know they are quite a bit different in price but that’s not a factor in this decision. I’ve always gone with the largest form factor in the past but sometimes wonder if a smaller combo would actually be more enjoyable. I also have a MacBook Pro so I don’t technically need a larger iPad.

Definitely not the last combo. I’m not sure between the first two combos. I’d rather have the 11 inch iPad. But I’m not sure between the 6.1 and 6.7 inch phones. It really depends on whether I could use a 6.7 inch phone one handed, and I’m not sure I can.

 

[MhaelK]

iPad Mini “Pro” with phone-capabilities and dual camera-setup + Apple Watch with eSIM.

This dream combo would totally demolish my need for an iPhone (based on my personal minimal use of the phone-function) while still being mobile and great for content creation.

A guy can dream ?

 

[macOS Lynx]

11” iPad Pro with the 13 Pro. I currently have the Pro Max, and I love it, but I know I would appreciate a smaller one more (especially when I hold my partner’s 12).

My dream setup would be a return to the 5.8” Pro iPhone, with a *slightly smaller* iPad Pro (bigger than the Mini but smaller than 11”). The minis are too small, but the larger sizes of the 6.1” and 11” do make some apps in landscape a little cumbersome, particularly games. A 10” iPad that’s bigger than the mini but smaller than the 10.2” iPad would be more comfortable to hold I think.

 

[subjonas]

The new iPad mini looks very nice but at US $499, the price point is ridiculous compared to the iPad Air (US $599).

Really? I thought $100 has always been the standard price difference between different size iPads (original iPad/original mini, and now iPad Air/mini).

Also for mobile devices, bigger is not always better.

 

[UltimateSyn]

My perfect combination would be 6.1" iPhone and 10.9" iPad Air.

The new iPad mini looks very nice but at US $499, the price point is ridiculous compared to the iPad Air (US $599).

Ehhhhh, there's also a $100 price difference between the 5.4" and 6.1" iPhones and the only differences there are in screen size and battery capacity. $100 less to go from Air to mini is super generous when you also consider that (as of right now) the mini has a superior camera system and processor.

 

[subjonas]

A 10” iPad that’s bigger than the mini but smaller than the 10.2” iPad would be more comfortable to hold I think.

0.2” seems like such a subtle difference. ?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Which combo would you rather have? Doesn’t have to be paired exactly like this.

iPhone 13 Max Pro with XDR 12.9 iPad Pro

iPhone 13 Pro with 11” iPad Pro

iPhone 13 mini/ iPad Mini 6

I know they are quite a bit different in price but that’s not a factor in this decision. I’ve always gone with the largest form factor in the past but sometimes wonder if a smaller combo would actually be more enjoyable. I also have a MacBook Pro so I don’t technically need a larger iPad.

iPhone 12 mini/ iPad Mini 6 / M1 MBA - docked to a Dell Ultrawide 40” 5k2k screen with magic trackpad and keyboard at home and work. Can’t wait for mine to arrive and replace the 2018 11” Pro. Have loved the Pro in the 2 years I’ve had it, has been a laptop replacement for most of its life, but always missed the iPad mini 4 it replaced, and the mini 3, 2, and 1 that came before that. So ready to go back to the mini form factor!!