Can IPAD MINI be used as a cellphone?

No, it cannot be used as a cell phone.

There are no texting plans for iPads.

You can download texting apps and things such as Skype, tango, google voice.

Actuallyyou can use a free app from MagicJack that will let you use the iPad as a phone whwn connected with WiFi, then there is GoogleTalk as well. There may be other solutions.

I get text message on my iPad Mini so don't know what they are talking about.

Not quite right. There are apps that allow you to text from an iPad. And, you can use Skype to make calls, if you have an Internet connection...

Why did you respond to this post that was already solved, especailly when the answer was dead on? The OP asked if it could be used as a "cellphone". It cannot. The apps you reference are VOIP, not cellular.

JB already stated the OP could download apps for texting as well as VOIP apps.

Because I am not anal about semantics. If the OP wants to use his iPad to make calls or send texts, as if it were a cellphone, he can. Whether this works through VOIP or cellular network, should not be the issue. So, I am stating that JB's answer is not quite right, for the reasons I mentioned. I did not say that the answer was wrong.

Understood, but the OP specifically mentioned a sim card, referring to cellular. JB was just clarifying his answer so the OP didin't get confused. Many people buy an iPad thinking they can make calls with it like a regular cellular phone... there are many threads/posts about this.

JB's answer was exactly correct. The iPad cannot be used as a cellphone. It can, though Voice-over-IP apps such as Skype, be used to make phone calls, but that is different, as are the "text" apps available. Such services do not use cellphone voice technologies and as such have different features and limitations than do cellphones, including in most cases the need to pay extra to make calls to standard telephones.

OK, fine, thanks.

I have the same question. Please be patient as I barely know how to use my iphone & have now received an ipad mini for christmas. Can I not use my ipad as a phone & get rid of my iphone. Like what's the point of having both? Does the ipad do anything the iphone doesn't?

As was said above, Katie, the iPad is not a cellphone. The only way to make and receive phone calls with an iPad is via one of the Voice-Over-IP services such as Skype.

The advantage of an iPad over an iPhone is the larger screen.

Regards.

So other than the larger screen the iPad mini & iPhone are the same? Just trying to figure out if I wanna keep the iPad or not. It was a gift I didn't ask for & know it was prob expensive

Other than the screen size, an iPhone and iPad are primarly the same, other than the iPhone's phone functionality, of course. Many people underestimate the impact of the larger screen, though, which makes much more of a difference than some realize. Whether that would be of benefit to you will depend on what you do with your iPhone now, or wish to do. If you have an Apple Store near you, I'd suggest visiting one and spending a bit of time with an iPad mini so you can see for yourself. If you don't see a benefit, you can then sell the iPad.

Regards.

Thanks!! You've been very helpful :-)

Happy to have been of help. Have a safe and happy New Year.

Cheers.