Do current iPads support e-sims?

[OnlyOneKenobi]

I've been thinking of picking up some new iPads to upgrade from our older Wi-Fi only iPads. Previously, iPads with cellular only had support for physical sims, so I'm not sure whether the newer models have e-sim support, I realise US models probably do but not sure of SA models. I just like the versatility of being able to chop and change service providers more easily.

 

[3WA]

iPad Pro M4. Only eSIM, no physical SIM slot. Melon works well with it, extremely easy setup. Vodacom lacks the technology to put an eSIM on a device that can’t receive SMS. MTN, you’ll have to suck a lot of dick to get an eSIM to work on an iPad.

 

[lord-of-war]

iPad Pro M4. Only eSIM, no physical SIM slot. Melon works well with it, extremely easy setup. Vodacom lacks the technology to put an eSIM on a device that can’t receive SMS. MTN, you’ll have to suck a lot of dick to get an eSIM to work on an iPad.

I could never get MTN esim work on my new iPad, after many visits to multiple stores. Standard answer was wait 24hours and try again. Ended up doing Afrihost esim with no hassle.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yup nano-sim and e-sim.

 

[airborne]

Considering how seamless data tethering is with an iPhone what is the point of an iPad with cellular considering the huge premium for them?

 

[Smiggles]

Considering how seamless data tethering with an iPhone is what is the point of an iPad with cellular considering the huge premium for them?

Why run down the iPhone battery or muck about with a Mifi device when you don't need to? My next iPad will have cellular as well.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Considering how seamless data tethering with an iPhone is what is the point of an iPad with cellular considering the huge premium for them?

Always been of the same opinion.

I don’t see any situation in which I’ll have my iPad with me but not my phone.

Different story I guess if you don’t have an iPhone.

Which I would consider if only they would let the iPad take calls.

 

[airborne]

Why run down the iPhone battery or muck about with a Mifi device when you don't need to? My next iPad will have cellular as well.

Why bring your shtty mifi device into the picture, those are toys for kids, this is a discussion for grownups.

I don't need to use my iPhone for data that often for my iPad but the times when I do it works flawlessly and I can't say it drains the battery very heavily. I certainly won't be paying the R3500 odd premium just to get cellular and then also need the extra hassle of managing an extra sim/esim, all just to save a small amount of my iPhone battery on the rare occasion I need to tether.

 

[Smiggles]

Why bring your shtty mifi device into the picture, those are toys are kids, this is a discussion for grownups.

I don't need to use my iPhone for data that often for my iPad but the times when I do it works flawlessly and I can't say it drains the battery very heavily. I certainly won't be paying the R3500 odd premium just to get cellular and then also need the extra hassle of managing an extra sim/esim, all just to save a small amount of my iPhone battery on the rare occasion I need to tether.

To each their own. When my fibre went down last year more the whole night I was glad I had a mifi decvice.

 

[airborne]

To each their own. When my fibre went down last year more the whole night I was glad I had a mifi decvice.

Well done @Smiggles , you must have been very proud of yourself
But yeah each to their own.

 

[Mirai]

Considering how seamless data tethering is with an iPhone what is the point of an iPad with cellular considering the huge premium for them?

GPS?

 

[Mirai]

Yes, newer iPads with cellular support do have eSIM functionality, including the latest models. The eSIM support is available in both US and international versions, including South Africa. It’s a great feature for switching providers easily without needing a physical SIM card.

LOL. Given there's no physical SIM slot, it's the only way to switch mobile internet providers. It would have been better to have a physical SIM slot and to also have eSIM functionality.

 

[SauRoNZA]

GPS?

Yes…in the iPhone you are already carrying.

 

[SauRoNZA]

LOL. Given there's no physical SIM slot, it's the only way to switch mobile internet providers. It would have been better to have a physical SIM slot and to also have eSIM functionality.

The “normal” iPad still has a nano-sim slot.

 

[Mirai]

The “normal” iPad still has a nano-sim slot.

It would be better for all models to have physical sim slots, same for iPhones.

 

[Mirai]

Yes…in the iPhone you are already carrying.

But if you're only carrying an iPad, then you don't have a GPS. Or if the app you're using on your iPad uses GPS, you don't have it. You're going off tangent here. The question was about the benefit of the LTE/4G modem and those have GPS.

what is the point of an iPad with cellular considering ...