All iPads Would 5G matter more on iPads instead of iPhones?

[ian87w]

I think we all know the limitations of 5G. The mmWave 5G has extremely limited range, while the sub-6 sometimes piggyback on 4G and can actually be slower than LTE itself.

It is interesting to see Apple pushing 5G on iPhones first. Yet the same A14 powered iPad Air is missing it. One would think it makes more sense to push 5G on iPads first, considering that it's a more stationary device, and can actually benefit a lot of the higher bandwidth (eg. a professional uploading an edited 4K video straight from the iPad, for example). The use case scenarios seems to make more sense than a mobile device like an iPhone. Plus on the iPads, Apple would have less worry on battery and power consumption.

Having said that, obviously Apple would want 5G to be on the iPad Pros first. It would be weird if the cheaper iPad gets 5G before the Pros.

 

[ericwn]

I think cellular data connectivity makes most sense on mobile devices. The higher the likeliness for moving around the more likely the user is to want cellular data.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I think we all know the limitations of 5G. The mmWave 5G has extremely limited range, while the sub-6 sometimes piggyback on 4G and can actually be slower than LTE itself.

It is interesting to see Apple pushing 5G on iPhones first. Yet the same A14 powered iPad Air is missing it. One would think it makes more sense to push 5G on iPads first, considering that it's a more stationary device, and can actually benefit a lot of the higher bandwidth (eg. a professional uploading an edited 4K video straight from the iPad, for example). The use case scenarios seems to make more sense than a mobile device like an iPhone. Plus on the iPads, Apple would have less worry on battery and power consumption.

Having said that, obviously Apple would want 5G to be on the iPad Pros first. It would be weird if the cheaper iPad gets 5G before the Pros.

I think it would make sense on the MacBooks too. ?

 

[RevTEG]

I‘m for it on both devices. However, for the record, my iPad usage has caused my to upgrade my iPhone less often. With that in mind, I’d use 5G on my iPad much more. As long as 5G is unlimited like my current data.

 

[darngooddesign]

It is interesting to see Apple pushing 5G on iPhones first. Yet the same A14 powered iPad Air is missing it.

I think iPads are more likely to be used where WiFi is available so its less important to have it compared to phones. And many people tether to their phones instead of getting the cellular version.

5G will be offered in the 2021 iPP with the Air staying LTE for the time being.