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HomeTechnologyShould I buy a tablet with 4G LTE/5G connection or only WiFi?

Should I buy a tablet with 4G LTE/5G connection or only WiFi?

Once you've chosen a specific tablet model, the next big decision is whether to choose a WiFi-only model or pay extra for a cellular version with 4G or 5G support. So, which option should you ultimately choose?

Should I buy an LTE/5G and WiFi-only tablet?

In short, WiFi-only tablets mean you can only connect to the Internet via WiFi, while cellular tablets support cellular and WiFi connections. That's the only difference between the two options. But which tablet should you buy? There are many different factors to consider, including retail price, WiFi and LTE/5G availability, convenience and security, among others.

1. Availability of WiFi and LTE/5G connectivity

Since you also have WiFi on your cellular tablet, you can continue to use WiFi at home and only switch to cellular data when needed. Thus, you will enjoy the best of both options when purchasing a cellular tablet.

Mobile performance can be significantly faster in major cities, easily rivaling the speeds you get from a fixed broadband connection. Conversely, mobile coverage and speeds can be uneven in rural areas.

iPad and Samsung Galaxy tablet
iPad and Samsung Galaxy tablet

But there's no getting around the fact that when you need a data connection, you really need one. Your phone probably supports (to some extent) things like email, social media, and the web. Plus, you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, sharing your phone's data connection with your tablet.

However, not all data plans support connecting this way, and those that do often impose restrictions on your speed or the amount of data you can use. Essentially, this is a short-term solution and not a long-term alternative.

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2. Price of tablets with cellular connectivity vs. WiFi only

For many people, the most important factor when choosing between cellular and WiFi-only tablets is price. The simple act of adding a cellular radio to a tablet often adds to the price of the device. For example, you'd have to pay an extra $200 for the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 model with cellular support. For Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10+, this fee is 150 USD.

Even if you can afford it, you should also consider whether you need mobile support or whether you should spend the money on a model with higher specifications. For example, if you're eyeing the 11-inch iPad Air M2, you can get the WiFi-only version with 256GB of storage for $50 less than the base version with cellular support.

3. Ongoing data costs

The selling price is just the beginning. There's no reason to have a cellular tablet without a cellular data plan to use. Mobile data is expensive and most plans have strict usage limits.

You can expect to pay more than $20/month for just a few gigabytes, which means you'll be paying twice the price of a WiFi-only tablet.

5. Convenience

The biggest advantage of cellular tablets is convenience. As long as you're in an area with good network coverage, you'll have a seamless connection anywhere.

Mobile acts as a backup connection, meaning the tablet will always default to the WiFi connection whenever a connection is available. Now, think about how often you can access WiFi: at home, at the office, at school, at a friend's house, at the local coffee shop, and countless other places.

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Even trains and buses offer WiFi. So, on reflection, you may need a cellular connection less often than you think. There are some situations where a fixed data connection is essential for a tablet. For example, when you're working on a cloud-based document and step out of WiFi network range before completing the sync process, or when you want to play one of the many games that require Internet access.

Location services are also more effective on devices connected to cellular networks because this can help calculate precise location more quickly.

6. Battery life

Watch videos on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Watch videos on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

Cellular data uses more power than WiFi, so battery life on cellular tablets is shorter than on WiFi-only tablets. But whether you notice the difference is a completely different matter.

Apple's specifications for the M4 iPad Pro show that battery life on cellular networks is 11% shorter than on WiFi, but this only applies when using cellular data networks. When using WiFi, you will continue to receive WiFi battery consumption.

Most likely, you'll only notice shorter battery life if you're a heavy tablet and mobile data user. Charging the tablet every two or three days really makes a negligible difference.

7. Security considerations

The widespread availability of WiFi hotspots means that having a cellular connection on your tablet isn't as important as it once was. While this is convenient, there are still risks associated with logging onto public WiFi. Mobile connections pose no security risks. However, if certain services are important to you and you need to access them in public, a cellular connection may be a safer choice.

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Should I choose a tablet with cellular connection or only WiFi?

Choosing between cellular and WiFi-only tablets depends on all the factors discussed. WiFi-only tablets are better if you're on a tight budget, as they're cheaper than versions with cellular connectivity. Tablets with cellular connections are more convenient and secure, because you can use your tablet anywhere as long as you have a cellular connection.

However, you can get the same convenience by using a smartphone to provide a connection to a WiFi-only tablet, if your cellular plan supports tethering. The difference in battery life is negligible, but using WiFi gets you better battery life.

The huge difference in price means that while mobile support on a tablet can be a great thing, you should only consider it if you really need it or have a budget to spare. Mobile data plans aren't great value, and even if you can afford the extra cost, you may still find that investing in a higher-end device is the best solution. But don't just consider cellular and WiFi; There are other important specifications to consider when buying a tablet.

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