How to Decide If Your Tablet Needs Cellular Connectivity

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Audit your existing mobile hotspot usage

   Check the settings on your smartphone to see how often you tether your tablet to its data connection. If you frequently enable Personal Hotspot to provide internet access to your tablet, a cellular model will remove the battery strain and connection dropouts associated with tethering.

   Note: Tethering consumes significantly more battery life on your phone than a native cellular tablet connection.
2. 30 sec

   Assess the necessity of offline navigation

   Verify if you require GPS hardware for mapping or travel. Cellular-enabled tablets include a dedicated GPS chip, whereas Wi-Fi-only models rely solely on nearby wireless networks for approximation, which is inaccurate for real-time turn-by-turn navigation.

3. 1 min

   Calculate the total cost of ownership

   Add the hardware premium for a cellular model to your projected monthly data plan costs over two years. Determine if the convenience of immediate connectivity outweighs the added expense versus simply using public Wi-Fi or local network sharing.

   Note: Many cellular tablets now support eSIM, allowing you to activate and deactivate plans on a per-trip basis.
4. 1 min

   Check your typical working environment

   Identify the primary locations where you use your device. If your workflow involves transit, remote outdoor locations, or areas lacking secure public Wi-Fi, the security and reliability of a dedicated cellular connection are superior to public hotspots.

5. 30 sec

   Choose based on primary use case

   Select a Wi-Fi-only model if your device stays within home or office environments. Choose the cellular model only if you require untethered internet access in the field or precise geolocation tracking.

   Note: You cannot add cellular hardware to a Wi-Fi-only tablet after purchase.