What is going on, everybody?
I am, Mike, welcome back to Tech 24/7 TV.
Now it's time to upgrade your iPad and you've been eyeing the
iPad Mini six, which is a great tablet.
It's probably one of my favorite devices to use
at this moment.
And if you're wondering to yourself, is it worth
spending one hundred and fifty dollars to add 5G to
this small, powerful tablet?
You're not alone.
It's a significant amount of money, and it might not even
be clear what any advantages or possible disadvantages are.
Well, I've owned a cellular enabled iPad since Apple
released the first iPad 3G in March 2012, so I have a ton
of experience to help you here.
So in today's video, we're going to cover the
cost component, including the new $150 rebate that Apple is
offering in conjunction with carriers.
How it works with iMessage and FaceTime when you have two
devices really sharing the same number.
Any drawbacks as well as who should and should not upgrade
to 5G on the new iPad Mini.
Let's get started.
Now, today's video will be broken down into
different sections, and I'll have each one of those sections
pinned in the first comment below, right below
the like button.
Now, let's talk about the obvious, which is going to
the cost component.
Apple allows you to configure any iPad as currently available
today with cellular connectivity, and the
cost and capabilities will vary depending on which device
you choose, for example.
Let's just say you choose the ninth generation iPad.
That's going to give you 4G LTE only for $130.
You can add 5G to the iPad Mini six for $150 or compared to the
iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 inch.
You can add a faster, more robust version of 5G with
millimeter wave on the 11 inch and 12.9 inch M1 iPad
Pro for $200.
Now, Apple partnered with many different carriers around the
world to incentivize consumers like you and me into purchasing
a cellular enabled iPad.
And depending on which carrier you choose, that incentive is
going to come back to you, either in a visa prepaid gift
card or a carrier specific rebate.
Now, for example, you activate here on Verizon,
the United States.
You're going to, you know, $150 credit about eight to 10
weeks after that iPad has been activated in the form of a
carrier credit, which can be used in a bill to purchase
accessories or to buy a device.
Now, the credit doesn't change the fact that you're going to
pay for the device upfront, and it doesn't change the fact
that you still need to pay for the monthly
service plan upfront.
And that monthly service plan is going to be different
depending on which carrier choose and how much data
that you need.
Now, I think this goes without saying, but if you're
someone who doesn't think that you're going to be able to take
advantage or reap the benefits of being able to use your iPad
Mini six while you're out and about, like you don't have
use cases that would be able to benefit from that,
you certainly should not pay the additional money.
That's not initially a value add for you as an individual.
That is, unless you like optionality or simply you have
money to burn.
That said, if you appreciate ubiquity,
flexibility and security, you least want to consider
getting the 5G version of the iPad Mini six.
Now, in my opinion, the size and design of the iPad Mini six
really plays into that.
The device should be used in a mobile first context, and the
device really shines when you are able to use it while you
are out and about.
Now, as I discussed my 30 day review, this device goes in
my man bag.
I take it with me everywhere I'm going nowadays, and it
really is my everyday companion.
It doesn't matter whether I'm like at the grocery store,
checking off items on my grocery list.
Maybe I'm in a coffee shop replying to emails or whether
I'm in a car on a road trip using it for GPS.
This comes with me everywhere I go now.
And in my opinion, having each other connection on the iPad
Mini six is really essential because of devices keen sense
of portability and the fact that it's conformable to many
different use cases where you might not think that would be.
Now you might be asking yourself, how does
number sharing work?
What happens?
Do I get a separate number?
So when you activate this with a cellular plan, you do get a
separate number, but that number is kind of transparent
to anyone else.
And all people know are your either your iPhone telephone
number or your email address that you have registered for
iMessage and FaceTime.
You don't need to worry about giving anyone a separate phone
number to contact.
It's all done kind of behind the scenes with this device.
The high degree of portability that I mentioned a few minutes
ago is only multiplied when you take in consideration that iPad
OS itself is optimized to take advantage of 5G as well.
This optimization means that the iPad Mini and the iPad Pro
can perform, an iCloud Backup, iPadOS software updates and
make and receive higher quality FaceTime HD calls all over
the 5G network.
And you're getting the benefit of having an always on
GPS connection, which means is that you can use this while you
are in the car navigating if you want to use it in the road
trip or have it while navigating a new city,
making the other option almost essential,
in my opinion.
I think it's a natural reaction right now.
If you were thinking, ""Mike, why would I pay, you know,
for a slower connection on this device when I can simply tether
it to my iPhone and call it a day?
, which really makes sense?
You don't need to worry about any type of monthly service
charges you don't need to worry about if the carrier loses
rebate and trying to resubmit the rebate, that which is a
whole nother pain.
But that's another story which I would agree to.
There are several use cases where, you know it
doesn't make sense for everyone to buy a 5G enabled iPad,
and that's certainly not what I'm suggesting.
But what I am here to do is give you the information needed
to make an educated decision based on pros and cons
from my experience.
Now, if you're familiar with the channel, you'll know that,
well, cost is an important consideration.
It's not really the primary filter that I pass purchase
decisions through, where I am more going along the side of
experience in value more so than dollars and cents.
Now, the one scenario that's been constant through this
video is that maybe you're the individual who only uses the
iPad in one location or maybe two locations.
You could tether your iPhone to your iPad and like I said,
just call it a day.
But if you're anything like me, having an Always-On
secure connection aren't the most powerful tablet that I
have with me is something that sounds very appealing,
especially if you are someone who values
convenience over cost.
Now, I don't know what your carrier charges for an iPad
enabled cellular plan, but I know my carrier charges $10 a
month based on the number of lines I have,
and it's unlimited.
You again, you want to check with your carrier for what
their individual plans cost.
But for 10 bucks a month, this is really
about convenience, and $10 a month is really far less than I
would expect to extract from this device in
terms of convenience.
This makes the benefits of having an always on cellular
connection on the iPad Mini really almost outweigh the cost
of $10 a month.
Now, the second objection is going to be about tethering.
Tethering your iPad to your iPhone is radio intensive to
the same way that towing a trailer behind your car is.
And if we use that analogy, we can extract two different
things from the situation.
One.
You're going to get battery drain on your iPhone faster
than you would be if you were not tethering your iPad to it.
And two.
You're going to get less than optimal network results on your
iPad than you would if you had a dedicated radio connection.
I am not trying to raise my battery anxiety anymore,
even if the iPhone 13 Pro Max battery is amazing.
I'm simply trying to solve for convenience.
Now, in addition to that fact, the iPad that is directly
connected to a cellular network will always be faster than an
iPad that is connected through a proxy device like
your iPhone.
That's because the connection between your iPad and your
iPhone comes over Wi-Fi.
And depending on the age difference between your iPad
and your iPhone, you might need to trade off
compatibility for performance.
Now it is decision time, and I want to equip you with as much
information as possible so you can make an educated decision.
We talked about the upfront cost of one hundred and fifty
dollars if you want to purchase the cellular enabled version of
the iPad Mini six or even $200 for the iPad Pro.
And we talked about that $$150 credit that carriers are
offering in conjunction with Apple when you sign up
for the service.
Now, let's talk about the pros and cons of that decision.
First and foremost, is ubiquity.
Having an always on 5G connection gives you the
convenience to use your iPad Mini six or again, even the
iPad Pro on your terms whenever and wherever you want to.
You don't need to worry about connected to untrusted or
unsecure Wi-Fi networks, nor do you need to worry about
excessive battery drain and the device that is maybe hosting it
or tethering, too.
Additionally, you're gonna get the added benefit of
notifications and processes happening on the iPad Mini,
no matter where you're at and you're allowing your iPhone to
remain usable for mission critical tasks.
Because again, if you are tethering your iPad to
your iPhone, you're getting that intensive battery drain.
It's possible that you might not have your iPhone available
to you when you want to because of that battery drain.
Second, it's about flexibility.
Since I'm purchasing my iPad Mini directly from Apple and
not from the carrier like AT&T here, Verizon or
Sprint, whomever.
I have the ability to activate this device on a plan with my
carrier of choice.
Today, I can maybe switch carriers next month, or I
can canceled altogether.
There's no contract because it is a device that I am bringing
to them again, giving me the flexibility to use
this device, how and when I want to.
Now there are going to be restrictions are based on when
you get the rebate and how long you need to keep
it activated for.
That's what I referred to earlier in terms of the
terms and conditions.
But I can really take this device and use it on
any carrier, assuming that the carrier supports the device.
Now, the lack of contract gives me the flexibility to use iPad
Mini 6 cellular connection, how and when I want to,
which is great again.
I like optionality.
I might have Verizon today and Verizon make me mad.
I'm going to leave Verizon and go to AT&T tomorrow.
I sold the same device.
I'm not tied to a contract and this device works
with that carrier.
Additionally, I have the ability to take my iPad Mini
while I'm abroad.
I can, you know, take this device and activate it on
a prepaid plan.
There's many different carriers that you could choose from in
terms of activating a prepaid SIM right through
the App Store.
And it gives me the flexibility again to use this device on
my own terms.
I don't need to worry about anyone else.
I could even take this device in one of my maybe in a car
trip and I could share my broadband connection with my
son's wifi only iPad.
Again, giving him the added benefit of this service.
And finally, is about security,
Having again, an always on secure connection from my
device to wherever.
I don't need to worry about connecting that unsecured
Wi-Fi networks, insecure Wi-Fi networks.
It's just peace of mind.
And for $10 a month, I don't know about you.
That is peace of mind.
Now, when I combine all those three ubiquity,
flexibility and security, there is really a
different picture, in my opinion, which is painted
about getting 5G on the iPad, whether it's an iPad Mini or
the 11 inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro.
And I think that everyone should consider it, though I
don't think it is for everyone based on your use cases now.
After all, that said, this would be a very different
conversation if Apple was not partnering with carriers to
offer that $150 or $200 rebate for the iPad Mini five for the
iPad Mini six or the 11 inch or the 12.9 inch iPad Pro.
But they are, and it's a benefit to you, and I.
Thank you very much for watching my video on whether or
not you should use 5G for your iPad Mini.
Now.
Let me know in the comments below.
If you already have an iPad 5G, whether it's an iPad
Mini or an iPad Pro,
I really use a heck out of the service.
And again, I think it's essential, you know,
you should at least consider it.
Let me know if you have any questions down in the comments
below and if you have another "Ask Mike" topic that you want
me to cover.
Use the hashtag, Ask Mike along with that topic.
I'll talk to you in the next one.