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iPad Pro Q&A
Update Published May 14, 2024
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Which iPad Pro models support cellular networking? What are the differences between the cellular networking on each model? Which iPad Pro models use which type of SIM? Nano? Apple SIM? eSIM?
Each iPad Pro line, from the original to the current series, have at least one model that supports cellular networking. However, devices from different generations, and even within generations, have different capabilities.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro 3rd Gen with Keyboard)
Physically, it is easy to tell whether or not an original iPad Pro or iPad Pro 2 has some kind of cellular networking because it has a plastic panel or on the back toward the top of the case.
It is more challenging to spot the cellular-specific antenna lines on the back of the iPad Pro 3rd Gen and later models, although the antenna line(s) on the back of each case is the tell-tale sign of a cellular capable device.
Furthermore, these physical differences are not sufficient to pinpoint the particular wireless capabilities.
Cellular Capable iPad Pro Models
The Model Number is the easiest way to identify the exact model:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
The Model Number is externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device.
If an iPad Pro is not listed above, it does not support cellular networking.
To track down a particular iPad Pro by a variety of different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.
iPad Pro Cellular Differences
All cellular-equipped iPad Pro models support 2G GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DCHSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz).
The original 9.7" and 12.9" iPad Pro and 10.5" and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models also support CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz), but later models no longer support increasingly vintage CDMA networks.
Supported 4G LTE band differences between models follows:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
4G LTE |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 |
||
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 |
||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 |
The iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models all support the same 4G LTE bands, but differ slightly in their support for 5G:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
5G |
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models sold in the US support mmWave (n260, n261) whereas models sold elsewhere may not.
The iPad Pro 11" (4th Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (6th Gen) -- introduced in 2022 -- add support for some additional 5G bands:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
5G |
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79, n258, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79, n258, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
Like their predecessors, the iPad Pro 11" (4th Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (6th Gen) models sold in the US support mmWave (n258, n260, n261) whereas models sold elsewhere may not.
For the current iPad Pro M4 11" and iPad Pro M4 13" models, none support mmWave, but add support for bands n75 and n76. They support the same 5G bands regardless of the location sold:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
5G |
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
iPad Pro SIM Types
All cellular-equipped iPad Pro models released prior to the iPad Pro M4 models in 2024 have a Nano SIM card slot. With the exception of iPad Pro models sold only in mainland China prior to 2024, they all support a physical Apple SIM, as well.
The original iPad Pro 12.9" (A1652) does not have an embedded SIM (eSIM) and neither do any iPad Pro models sold only in mainland China prior to 2024. These iPad Pro models released prior to 2024 have an eSIM in addition to the physical Nano SIM card slot.
The current iPad Pro M4 models -- released in 2024 -- only have eSIM support, regardless of location sold, and do not support physical SIM cards at all.
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