Carbide (or tungsten carbide) tips are absolutely worth it—they're the industry standard on any quality ski pole for good reason. Carbide is an extremely hard material that grips icy and hardpack snow far better than steel, giving you confident pole plants when conditions are firm. More importantly, carbide holds its sharp point season after season, while steel tips dull relatively quickly and can bend if you hit rocks.
You'll find carbide tips on most mid-range and higher poles, and that's one clear sign you're looking at a pole built to last. Steel tips do show up on budget and rental poles, and they're fine for casual beginners who aren't sure they'll stick with the sport. But if you ski regularly, carbide saves you money over time since you won't be replacing or sharpening worn tips nearly as often.
One quick tip: always use rubber tip covers when walking across parking lots or pavement. Carbide is tough, but grinding it on concrete will still wear it down fast.