The iPad (9th Generation), released in September 2021, continues to solidify Apple’s dominance in the budget tablet market. As the most affordable iPad in Apple’s lineup, it offers an excellent combination of performance, versatility, and value for money. While it may lack the flashy features of the iPad Pro or iPad Air, the 9th Gen iPad remains the ideal choice for students, families, and casual users who want a reliable tablet for everyday tasks.
Classic Design, Familiar Feel
Unlike the iPad Mini and iPad Air, which received design overhauls, the iPad (9th Gen) retains Apple’s classic look. It features the traditional 10.2-inch Retina display with thick bezels and a Home button that incorporates Touch ID for secure unlocking and transactions. While this design feels slightly dated in comparison to Apple’s higher-end models, it still delivers a solid user experience.
The tablet measures 250.6 mm x 174.1 mm x 7.5 mm and weighs 487 grams (Wi-Fi) or 498 grams (Wi-Fi + Cellular). Its aluminum body ensures durability, making it perfect for daily use in classrooms, homes, and offices. Available in Space Gray and Silver, the iPad (9th Gen) keeps things simple and professional.
10.2-Inch Retina Display with True Tone
The 10.2-inch Retina display offers a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels at 264 PPI, delivering sharp visuals and vibrant colors. This makes it perfect for activities like watching movies, browsing the web, and reading eBooks.
One notable upgrade in the 9th Gen iPad is the addition of True Tone technology. True Tone adjusts the color temperature of the display based on ambient lighting, ensuring a more comfortable viewing experience in different environments. Whether you’re using the iPad under bright sunlight or in a dimly lit room, the display remains easy on the eyes.
A13 Bionic Chip: Still Powerful
Powering the iPad (9th Gen) is the A13 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 11 series. While it’s not the latest chip in Apple’s arsenal, the A13 remains more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks smoothly.
With a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 8-core Neural Engine, the iPad (9th Gen) delivers 20% better performance than its predecessor. This makes multitasking, gaming, and video editing a breeze. Apps like Microsoft Office, Google Classroom, and Adobe Photoshop run efficiently, ensuring the device remains versatile for both work and play.
While the A13 chip won’t match the power of the M1 or A15 chips in newer iPads, it’s more than sufficient for students, families, and casual users who don’t need cutting-edge performance.
iPadOS 15: A Productivity Boost
The iPad (9th Gen) runs on iPadOS 15, which brings a host of new features designed to enhance productivity and multitasking. Key highlights include:
- Split View and Slide Over: Run two apps side by side, making it easier to take notes, research, or work on projects.
- Quick Note: Instantly jot down notes by swiping up from the corner with an Apple Pencil.
- Widgets: Place widgets on the home screen to access information like calendars, weather, and news at a glance.
- App Library: Automatically organizes apps into categories for a cleaner, more efficient home screen.
For students and remote workers, these features make the iPad (9th Gen) an excellent tool for multitasking and staying organized.
Front Camera Upgrade: Perfect for Video Calls
One of the standout improvements in the iPad (9th Gen) is the 12MP Ultra-Wide front camera. This is a significant upgrade over the 1.2MP camera in the previous generation. The new camera supports Center Stage, a feature that automatically pans and zooms to keep you in the center of the frame during video calls.
Whether you’re on FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet, Center Stage ensures that you remain in focus even if you move around. This makes the iPad (9th Gen) an excellent device for virtual meetings, online classes, and catching up with family and friends.
The rear camera remains unchanged at 8MP, which is sufficient for scanning documents, taking casual photos, and recording 1080p HD videos.
Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Smart Keyboard Support
The iPad (9th Gen) supports the Apple Pencil (1st Gen), transforming it into a versatile tool for note-taking, sketching, and annotating documents. Students can use the Apple Pencil for digital note-taking, while artists can enjoy a smooth drawing experience in apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco.
It is also compatible with the Smart Keyboard, allowing users to type comfortably for long periods. Whether you’re writing essays, emails, or reports, the Smart Keyboard turns the iPad into a lightweight productivity machine.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The iPad (9th Gen) retains the Lightning connector for charging and data transfer. It supports Wi-Fi 5 and optional LTE connectivity for users who need internet access on the go. While Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are missing, the available options are sufficient for most users.
Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life for web browsing and video playback on Wi-Fi, or up to 9 hours on cellular networks. This all-day battery life ensures that the iPad can keep up with long study sessions, remote work, or entertainment without frequent recharging.
Storage Options
Apple has increased the base storage to 64GB, a welcome improvement over the previous 32GB model. For users who need more space for apps, videos, and documents, a 256GB option is also available.
Who Should Buy the iPad (9th Gen)?
The iPad (9th Generation) is tailored for:
- Students: With its affordability, performance, and Apple Pencil support, the iPad is perfect for online classes, note-taking, and assignments.
- Families: The large display and long battery life make it great for entertainment, reading, and casual gaming.
- Casual Users: For web browsing, streaming, and social media, the iPad offers excellent value.
- Professionals on a Budget: Paired with the Smart Keyboard, it becomes a capable productivity tool for light work.
Pricing and Value
The iPad (9th Gen) starts at $329 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, making it one of the most affordable tablets in Apple’s ecosystem. The 256GB model costs $479, while cellular variants add an additional cost.
At this price point, the iPad (9th Gen) delivers incredible value, offering features and performance unmatched by most competitors in the budget tablet segment.
Conclusion
The iPad (9th Generation) may not be the flashiest iPad, but it’s a workhorse that gets the job done. With a classic design, improved front camera, True Tone display, and the powerful A13 Bionic chip, it strikes the perfect balance between affordability and performance.
For students, families, and budget-conscious users, the iPad (9th Gen) remains a dependable and versatile device that excels in everything from online learning to entertainment. It’s proof that Apple continues to deliver quality products at an accessible price.