Best Tablets With Cellular Service (2026)
A cellular tablet keeps you online without Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot, and in 2026 the best choices come from Apple and Samsung.
Our top pick is the iPad Air with the M4 chip, while the standard iPad is the best value and the Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G is the best Android option.
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Quick picks: which cellular tablet should you buy?
| Award | Tablet | Why it wins | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | M4 chip with 12GB RAM and a C1X cellular modem | See at Apple |
| Best value | iPad 11-inch (A16) | Cheapest iPad with 5G | Check price on Amazon |
| Most portable | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | 8.3-inch screen with 5G | See at Apple |
| Best for Android | Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G | S Pen in the box and microSD slot | See at AT&T |
1. iPad Air 11-inch (M4): best overall
Apple’s March 2026 refresh keeps the same design but moves to the M4 chip and 12GB of RAM, so it is the most future-proof cellular tablet here.
Specs: from $599 (Wi-Fi model), from $749 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | iPadOS | cellular models use Apple’s C1X modem for 5G and LTE | eSIM, no SIM tray | works with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Pros:
- M4 chip is up to 30% faster in multi-core work than the M3 model, according to Apple.
- Storage runs from 128GB to 1TB.
- Wi-Fi 7 comes from Apple’s N1 chip.
Cons:
- The display is still LCD, with up to 500 nits of brightness.
- Cellular models cost more than the Wi-Fi starting price.
2. iPad 11-inch (A16): best value
This is the iPad to buy if you want 5G on a budget and do not need the extra power of the Air.
Specs: A16 chip, 4GB RAM | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | 5G with eSIM only
Pros:
- The 11-inch Liquid Retina screen is bright enough for daily use.
- Cellular models support 5G through eSIM.
- Apple’s A16 handles streaming, browsing and school work.
Cons:
- There is no physical SIM tray and no microSD slot.
- Only 4GB of RAM limits heavy multitasking.
3. iPad mini (A17 Pro): most portable
The current iPad mini is the one to pick if you want a one-handed tablet that still has 5G.
Specs: A17 Pro chip, 8GB RAM | 8.3-inch display | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | 5G with eSIM only
Pros:
- It launched in October 2024 with the A17 Pro chip.
- The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display fits in a jacket pocket.
- Cellular models support 5G through eSIM.
Cons:
- The screen is small for split-screen work.
- There is no microSD slot.
4. Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G: best for Android
Samsung’s S10 FE 5G is sold through US carriers, and it includes the S Pen, which most iPads do not.
Specs: $649.99 retail at AT&T | Exynos 1580, 8GB RAM, 128GB | 10.9-inch screen, 2304 x 1440 | 8,000mAh battery | Android 15 | IP68 | 13MP rear, 12MP front camera | eSIM only
Pros:
- The S Pen comes in the box.
- A microSD slot supports cards up to 2TB.
- It supports 5G bands n2, n5, n30, n41, n66, n77 and n78.
Cons:
- It is mainly sold through carriers, so the price and stock vary by store.
- The Exynos chip is less powerful than the iPad Air’s M4.
How do the cellular tablets compare?
| Tablet | Chip | Screen | Storage options | Cellular | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | Apple M4 | 11-inch LCD | 128GB to 1TB | 5G and LTE | Power users |
| iPad 11-inch (A16) | Apple A16 | 11-inch LCD | 128GB to 512GB | 5G, eSIM only | Value |
| iPad mini | Apple A17 Pro | 8.3-inch LCD | 128GB to 512GB | 5G, eSIM only | Travel |
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G | Exynos 1580 | 10.9-inch | 128GB plus microSD | 5G | Android and S Pen |
Which cellular tablet needs an eSIM?
The iPad (A16), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad Air (M2 and later) cellular models are eSIM only, and AT&T lists the Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G as eSIM only too, so you activate a plan from your carrier instead of inserting a SIM card.
If you are still deciding whether a plan is worth paying for, read our guide to iPad cellular service.
How do you set up cellular service on an iPad?
Apple lists several activation routes, and which one you see depends on your carrier.
| Method | Where to start | Needs |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier activation | Tap the “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed” notice | Plan assigned by your carrier |
| Join iPhone plan | Settings > Cellular Data > Join iPhone Plan | Wi-Fi on, same Apple Account on both devices |
| Find a new plan | Settings > Cellular Data > Find a New Plan | Location Services on |
| Transfer from another iPad | Settings > Cellular Data > Transfer iPad Plan | Carrier that allows transfers |
| QR code | Camera app, then Add Cellular Plan | Code from your carrier |
To add a plan with a QR code on iPadOS 17.4 or later, you can also touch and hold the code in an email or web page, then tap Add eSIM.
What if the cellular plan will not activate?
- No Join iPhone Plan option: turn on Wi-Fi and confirm both devices use the same Apple Account.
- Transfer fails or has no button: contact your carrier.
- Plan won’t activate: enter the confirmation code your carrier gave you.
- Old physical SIM still active: remove the SIM and restart the iPad after a carrier eSIM replaces it.
Apple covers all of this in its Set up eSIM on iPad guide.
How much more do cellular models cost?
- iPad Air 11-inch (M4): $599 for Wi-Fi and $749 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, a $150 difference.
- Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G: $649.99 retail at AT&T, or $15.28 a month for 36 months with a new line.
We could not confirm current cellular prices for the iPad (A16) and iPad mini, so check Apple’s page before you buy.
What happened to older picks like the Tab A9+ and iPad mini 6?
We removed models that are no longer the current version or that carriers have stopped selling.
- Galaxy Tab A9+ 5G: AT&T’s page lists it as no longer available.
- iPad mini (6th gen): replaced by the A17 Pro model in October 2024.
- iPad Air (M3): replaced by the M4 model in March 2026.
Which cellular tablet should you choose?
Pick the iPad Air (M4) if you want the fastest tablet with cellular, and the iPad (A16) if you want the lowest price.
For a similar roundup that includes SIM-based LTE models, see our LTE tablet list, and see 5G vs 4G speeds to decide whether you need 5G at all.