Everything you need to know about the 9th-generation Apple iPad

The Apple iPad is undoubtedly the best tablet money can buy. Since the introduction of the original iPad in 2010, the iPad lineup has come a long way and has also added many variants in the process. Today, Apple differentiates its tablet offerings as iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The iPad, which is the entry-level offering in that lineup, is often the best iPad for most people.

iPad 9th generation: The road from the original iPad

Since the launch of the original iPad in 2010, we have seen a major evolution of Apple‘s tablet. While there were new iPad models being introduced from 2010 to 2012, Apple did not launch the fifth generation of iPad until March 21, 2017. It was followed by the launch of the iPad (6th generation) in March 2018, the iPad (7th generation) in September 2019, the iPad (8th generation) in September 2020, and the iPad (9th generation) in September 2021.

The iPad (9th generation) is not even the latest model in this segment and the iPad (10th generation) launched in October 2022 is the newest model. Between the launch of various iPad models, Apple expanded the lineup with the launch of the first generation iPad Mini in 2012 and the first generation of iPad Air in 2013. The iPad Pro was introduced as the high-end professional flagship iPad offering in 2015.

ALSO READ: Evolution of the iPad: Every single iPad launched since 2010

Despite all these variants, the iPad remains the default iPad and the iPad (9th generation) is the last model to sport a Touch ID button below the display and use a lightning port for charging. Let’s find out about the key specifications of the 2021 iPad and whether it is worth buying in 2024.

Apple iPad 9th generation: Key features and specifications

The iPad 9th generation comes in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models. Both the Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models are 7.5mm in thickness but the former weighs 487 grams and the latter 498 grams. They sport a rectangular boxy design with thick black bezels surrounding the display and the Touch ID button placed on the chin.

They sport a 10.2-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels and a pixel density of 264 ppi. Powering the iPad (9th generation) is an Apple A13 Bionic chip with a dedicated neural engine. The tablet has an 8MP wide angle camera on the back with a f/2.4 aperture that is capable of recording 1080p videos. At the front, there is a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view.

One of the biggest differences between the iPad (9th generation) and its predecessor was double the storage. While the iPad (8th generation) came with either 32GB or 128GB storage, Apple doubled the storage to 64GB and 256GB on the 9th generation iPad. It has a power button at the top, a volume rocker on the right edge, and a lightning connector at the bottom.

ALSO READ: Apple iPad variants: Which tablet suits your lifestyle and needs the best

Both the models offer dual microphones for calls, video and audio recording and support Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The Wi-Fi + Cellular model comes with eSIM or Nano-SIM support to offer 4G LTE speeds. Apple iPad 9th generation has a built-in 32.4Wh battery rated for up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi and up to 9 hours on a mobile network. While it launched with iPadOS 15, you can update the models to iPadOS 17.

Apple iPad 9th generation is the best budget iPad and also the best iPad for kids.  It has a traditional iPad look with Touch ID, a relatively fast A13 processor, 64GB storage to start and optional 4G connectivity. It excels at typical iPad tasks such as watching videos, playing games, entertaining kids, and staying updated with news. If you want to spend a bit less on an iPad then the iPad (9th generation) is the one for you.