If you’re looking for an iPad that’s cheaper than the latest, Amazon is offering the base 2021 model for just $199. Although it’s a generation behind the current version, this ninth-generation edition could be ideal for kids, seniors, or those who want a HomeKit-based smart home hub.
Apple
The three-year-old model is still a capable tablet for those who don’t mind foregoing the latest and greatest hardware. The ninth-generation iPad features a 10.2-inch Retina display and Apple’s old home button-based Touch ID sensor. It runs on the A13 Bionic chip, which has a six-core processor, quad-core GPU, and octal-core Neural Engine. This isn’t the model if you want blazing-fast speeds, the most stunning display, or the upcoming Apple Intelligence, but given the price, it’s hard to find fault with all of that too much.
Engadget’s 2021 review says this model is “a modest update” over the previous version. Nathan Ingraham described it as a “fast, lightweight tablet with a beautiful display and tons of apps without spending too much.” In our battery test, we found it exceeded Apple’s estimate of 10 hours, lasting about 14 hours of video streaming.
This model runs iPadOS 17 and will support iPadOS 18 when it launches in the fall. It’s unknown how many annual updates it will be eligible for after that, but the upcoming 2024 software will still run on two generations of hardware behind this model, suggesting it may not be reaching the end of the line just yet.
It’s also good for video chatting, and its 12MP ultra-wide-angle front camera supports Center Stage. Apple’s machine learning-based feature tracks your face and that of everyone else in the frame and adjusts the frame of the call accordingly by automatically panning and zooming.
If you want to add accessories for a more laptop-like experience, the ninth-generation iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Smart Keyboard.
It’s worth keeping in mind that this model uses a Lightning connector, rather than the USB-C connector that Apple has switched to across its lineup. It does come with a charger included, but that’s something you might want to consider if you’ve already thrown out all your old Lightning cables. On the other hand, some might consider it a bonus that it still includes Apple’s now-defunct headphone jack.
