iPad - Wifi & cellular vs. wifi only?

I'm wondering if it's smart to get an iPad with wifi and cellular or if I should get wifi only. I'm in a band and plan on using the iPad instead of sheet music. I don't want to spend extra $ if it's not necessary.





iPad (9th generation)

Posted on May 19, 2023 12:15 PM

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Posted on May 19, 2023 12:54 PM

Will you need GPS or the ability to independently use the internet without a wifi connection or hotspot? If the answer to any of that is yes, then you need the GPS+Cellular model. If the answer to all of it is no, then the WiFi only model will be just fine.

7 replies

May 19, 2023 4:11 PM in response to NoelleMusic

Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage.


Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device. 


Consider also the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Only WiFi+Cellular models include GPS capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.


Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model does not commit you to using Cellular connections, but provides future flexibility should your anticipated needs change.  WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GPS functions at all.


Apr 8, 2024 10:26 PM in response to NoelleMusic

I purchased WiFi Air WiFi only. Extra feature not worth $200 to me which would rarely be used for my purposes, plus the additional charge for cellular service from Verizon. Imagine my surprise when Verizon invoice showed $749 instead of $599. When I decided to exchange it for IPad Pro and was being charged $999 instead of $799, I contacted Apple: “They’re selling you the WIFI/ cellular model.” I told them 3 times no on cellular version. What I didn’t know is Verizon was selling me the model I specifically rejected, and then lied to me. They ONLY sell the combo WiFi/ cellular so they can sell another phone line. Now they refuse to refund my purchase. So now I have the wrong model, wrong configuration, no cellular service. Buy from Apple. Boycott Verizon.

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iPad - Wifi & cellular vs. wifi only?

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