The 10th generation iPad is now available starting at $449, but its predecessor, the 9th generation iPad, remains available from Apple for the same starting price of $329.
The ninth-generation iPad models with capacities of 64 GB and 256 GB are still available for $329 and $479, respectively. It’s still available in the same Silver and Space Gray color options, which means that there has been no change to the pricing or available configurations of the device.
The iPad for beginners is an important device in Apple’s lineup, particularly for the education market, because it offers access to an on-ramp platform for basic computing on the iPad at a low price. Despite being successive generations of the same device, there are fundamental differences between the 9th and 10th generation iPad that justify the $120 price difference, which can make it difficult to pick the one that’s best for you.
So, should you consider buying a 9th generation iPad to save money, or do you need a 10th generation iPad instead? This breakdown is a clear way to see all the similarities and differences between the two devices.
Similarity
- Connection ID
- Retina display (264 ppi) with True Tone and 500 nits max brightness (typical)
- Apple silicon chip with 6-core CPU (2 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and quad-core GPU
- Up to 5x digital zoom, 3x video zoom, slow-motion support for 720p video at 120 fps, time-lapse video with stabilization
- 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera (Aperture f/2.4) with 2x zoom, Center Stage, Retina Flash, Extended Dynamic Range for video up to 30fps, Cinematic video stabilization, 1080p video recording at up to 60fps
- Two loudspeakers
- Battery life up to 10 hours
- 64GB and 256GB storage options
- 1st generation Apple Pencil support
Differences
iPad 9th generation (2021)
- The “old” iPad design (such as the first generation iPad Air, 2013)
- thickness 7.5 mm
- Weight 487/498 grams
- Gray and Silver color options
- Touch ID Home button
- 10.5-inch Retina display (2160 x 1620)
- A13 Bionic (2019) chip
- octa core neural engine
- 3 GB RAM
- 8 MP rear camera (lens f/2.4)
- HDR for photos
- 1080p HD video recording at up to 30 frames per second
- 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera
- Dual speakers
- lightning port
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; Speeds up to 866Mbps
- 4G LTE connectivity (cellular models)
- Smart keyboard support
- Starting at $329
iPad 10th generation (2022)
- A “new” iPad design with flat sides (e.g. iPad Pro, 2018)
- thickness 7 mm
- Weight 477/481 grams
- Silver, pink, blue and yellow color options
- Touch ID top button
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640)
- A14 Bionic (2020) chip
- 16-core neural engine
- 4 GB RAM
- 12MP rear camera (lens f/1.8)
- Smart HDR 3 for photos
- 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second
- Extended video dynamic range of up to 30fps
- 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera
- Horizontal dual-speaker sound
- USB-C . port
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Wi Fi 6 (802.11ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; Speeds up to 1.2 Gbps
- 5G connection (cellular models)
- Magic Keyboard Folio . support
- Starting at $449
Overall, the 10th generation iPad will be the most suitable device to buy for most people. With a faster chip and more memory, the 10th generation iPad will be the best buy in the long run with annual software updates, not to mention 5G connectivity on cellular models. It looks like Apple is gradually moving to USB-C across all of its devices, so buying a device with that port instead of Lightning might come in handy in the coming years. The design of the 10th generation of iPads is more futuristic, fitting in nicely with any of Apple’s recent iPad designs or all-screen designs.
A larger screen, better performance, USB-C port, and support for the 10th Gen Magic Keyboard Folio could make a more useful device focused on productivity. The front camera with landscape will be better for video calls, while the rear camera offers more advanced shooting and video shooting capabilities. It’s also worth noting that some users may simply prefer the modern 10th generation iPad design and a vibrant selection of color options.
By comparison, the 9th generation iPad offers a good balance between the most basic iPad features, but in an older design with somewhat less advanced technologies. Potential customers who simply need a new iPad at the lowest possible price aren’t likely to be interested in many of these differences, so it might not be worth the extra $120 in some cases. In general, where possible, it’ll be worth upgrading to a newer model — especially if you plan on using your iPad heavily for years to come.