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iPad Pro Q&A
Update Published May 27, 2021
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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 3 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 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 3 (the antenna line on the back at the bottom of the 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 located toward the bottom on the back of each tablet is the easiest way to identify the exact model:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
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 -- including its Serial Number -- 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.
iPad Pro SIM Types
All cellular-equipped iPad Pro models have a Nano SIM card slot. With the exception of iPad Pro models sold only in mainland China, 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. All other iPad Pro models have an eSIM in addition to the physical Nano SIM card slot.
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