Samsung pad & will my watch receive texts if icloud messages is turned off

You will not be able to use the Samsung to mirror iMessages from the phone. As you have found, only SMS can be done with assistance from AT&T. The only way to mirror all messages from the iPhone is with an iOS device like an iPad, and the iPad would not need to be cellular, it could be wi-fi only, since it would use the iPhone to handle the sending and receiving of messages.

If the Watch is set to mirror the phone, it will still get the messages/notifications. But, you mention wanting to get messages on the Samsung. That can only be the SMS, since you would use an AT&T app. I don't want you to get into the reason she cannot use the Mini, but it would be less complicated if she did. So, is it the notifications that is the problem because she is deaf, or is it something else. The iPhone and Watch should both take care of her messaging issues, but since you mention the Samsung, it is almost as if it also has to do with the ability to read the messages. Is it that important that she get the messages on the Samsung? If it is, then your only option is to turn off iMessage. However, if she has friends that she messages that have iOS devices, it is going to complicate that communication by turning off iMessage, especially if she has been using it for a while.

Okay, I understand the predicament, and also the desire for quality of life issues. To be honest, I would have to say given the availability of the apps you need, you would probably be better off for her to have an Android device, but that would leave the Watch out of the equation. Does she really use it that much, since she wouldn't be able to really read it?

I'm a user like you and none of us here are Apple employees, so no one here is going to insist you purchase Apple, nor are we going to fault you if Android is a better fit for your situation. But for her to get texts on the tablet, I'm guessing you need to have an Android phone, or you are going to have to deal with the issues of others using an iPhone and trying to iMessage her if you turned that off. I think you are going to have to think this through and see what best meets her needs. Good luck.

You're welcome. Good luck with making the decisions. There is a lot for you to look at here, especially since the two devices were provided by a program. You could go with the Apple system, but you seem to be experiencing issues with things like VoiceOver, which is what reads what is on the phone, and dictation to help write the texts. I know that you will do what is best for her. Take care, and I'm glad I was able to at least give you some food for thought.