Is the iPad 9th Gen Still Worth It in 2024?

Released in September 2021, the iPad 9th Gen quickly became a popular choice for individuals seeking a powerful and versatile tablet at an affordable price. Boasting a 10.2-inch Retina display, an A13 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel rear camera, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, it offered a range of features. However, with newer models hitting the market, one might wonder how the iPad 9th Gen stacks up in 2024. Is it still a viable option worth considering?

Assessing the Tablet’s Value

The answer to whether the iPad 9th Gen is worth it depends on your specific needs and budget. While it remains an excellent device for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, reading, and note-taking, it also handles more demanding applications such as photo editing, gaming, and multitasking. Nonetheless, some limitations may prompt you to consider upgrading to a newer model.

Design and Display Limitations

One of the primary drawbacks of the iPad 9th Gen lies in its design. Its thick bezels, home button with Touch ID, and reliance on a Lightning port for charging and data transfer make it appear outdated when compared to sleeker and more modern designs of the iPad Air 5th Gen and the iPad Pro models. These upgraded versions feature thinner bezels, Face ID technology, and USB-C ports. Moreover, the iPad 9th Gen also falls short in terms of screen resolution, brightness, and refresh rate, which could impact the viewing experience.

Storage Capacity

Another downside of the iPad 9th Gen is its storage capacity. Available with either 64GB or 256GB of internal storage, it may not suffice for users seeking ample space for storing photos, videos, music, and apps. In contrast, the iPad Pro models offer more diverse storage options, ranging from 128GB to a staggering 2TB. Additionally, these models boast superior RAM capacity, enabling smoother and more efficient app performance.

Pros of the iPad 9th Gen

Powerful A13 Bionic chip ensures fast and efficient performance, allowing for seamless multitasking, gaming, and video playback.
Supports the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and the Logitech Crayon, making it ideal for note-taking, drawing, and document editing. Additionally, it accommodates the use of the Smart Keyboard or any Bluetooth keyboard for comfortable typing.
Features an enhanced 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, adjusting color temperature according to ambient lighting conditions. The screen offers brightness and sharpness, perfect for watching movies, reading, and web browsing.
Equipped with a 12MP front-facing camera that supports Center Stage, a feature automatically tracking and zooming in on the user during video calls. The rear camera captures 1080p videos at 8MP.
Boasts a long battery life, providing up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge.

Cons of the iPad 9th Gen

Features an outdated design, with thick bezels and a home button with Touch ID. Lacks Face ID and touch-to-wake capabilities available on other iPad models.
Incompatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or the Magic Keyboard, advanced accessories that work with other iPads. The Apple Pencil (1st generation) also requires plugging into the Lightning port for charging, which can be inconvenient.
Relies on a Lightning port instead of a USB-C port, limiting compatibility with external devices and accessories. This may necessitate the use of adapters or dongles to connect to external monitors, hard drives, or cameras.
Features weak speakers located on one side only, lacking stereo sound when held in landscape mode. Speakers can be easily blocked by hands or a case.
Device storage starts at 64GB, potentially insufficient for users requiring extensive photo, video, or app storage. No expandable storage options are available.

Is the iPad 9th Gen Worth It?

The iPad 9th Gen remains a solid choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable tablet capable of handling most tasks without issues. However, for individuals desiring a more premium and future-proof device with improved design, performance, display, and storage capacity, considering a newer model is advisable. The iPad Air 4th Gen or 5th Gen strikes a good balance between price and features, while the iPad Pro models are the ultimate choice for those seeking the best of the best.

iPad 9th gen deals

Furthermore, Apple did update the design with the iPad 10th Gen, however, we still think the iPad 9th Gen still offers great value for the price.

Disclosure: Vividbay is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.