iPad 9 vs. iPad 10 Buyer's Guide: Is the $120 Difference Worth It?

The ninth-generation iPad is still available from Apple for the same $329 starting price as the 10th- generation iPad.

The ninth- generation iPad models are still available for $329 and $479 for the 64 and 128GB capacities. The pricing and available configurations of the device have not changed despite the fact that they are still offered in the same Silver and Space Gray colors.

The entry-level iPad is an important device in Apple's lineup because it provides an accessible on-ramp to basic computing on the iPad at a low price point. There are significant differences between the ninth- and 10th- generation iPad that make it difficult to decide which is the best device for you.

Should you buy the ninth- generation iPad to save money or should you buy the 10th- generation iPad? The breakdown shows all the similarities and differences between the two devices.

Similarities

• Touch ID
• Retina display (264 ppi) with True Tone and 500 nits max brightness (typical)
• Apple silicon chip with 6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) and 4-core GPU
• Digital zoom up to 5x, 3x video zoom, slo-mo video support for 720p at 120 fps, and time-lapse video with stabilization
• 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera (ƒ/2.4 aperture) with 2x zoom out, Center Stage, Retina Flash, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilization, and 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps
• Two speaker audio
• Up to 10-hour battery life
• 64GB and 256GB storage options
• First-generation Apple Pencil support

Differences

The ninth-Generation iPad will be released in 2141.

• "Old" ‌iPad‌ design (like first-generation iPad Air, 2013)
• 7.5mm thickness
• Weight of 487/498 grams
• Space Gray and Silver color options
• ‌Touch ID‌ home button
• 10.5-inch Retina display (2160-by-1620)
• A13 Bionic chip (2019)
• 8-core Neural Engine
• 3GB RAM
• 8MP Wide rear camera (ƒ/2.4 aperture)
• HDR for photos
• 1080p HD video recording at up to 30 fps
• 12MP portrait Ultra Wide front-facing camera
• Two-speaker audio
• Lightning port
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; speeds up to 866 Mbps
• 4G LTE connectivity (cellular models)
• Smart Keyboard support
• Starts at $329

There is a new generation of iPad.

• "New" ‌iPad‌ design with flat sides (like iPad Pro, 2018)
• 7mm thickness
• Weight of 477/481 grams
• Silver, Pink, Blue, and Yellow color options
• ‌Touch ID‌ top button
• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (2360‑by‑1640)
• A14 Bionic chip (2020)
• 16-core Neural Engine
• 4GB RAM
• 12MP Wide rear camera (ƒ/1.8 aperture)
• Smart HDR 3 for photos
• 4K video recording at up to 60 fps
• Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps
• 12MP landscape Ultra Wide front-facing camera
• Landscape two-speaker audio
• USB-C port
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps
• 5G connectivity (cellular models)
• Magic Keyboard Folio support
• Starts at $449

The 10th- generation iPad is more suited for most people. With a faster chip and more memory, the 10th- generation iPad will be the better long-term purchase through annual software updates. Buying a device with this port instead of Lightning may be helpful in the future, as Apple appears to be gradually transitioning to the new port. The design of the 10th- generation iPad is more future-proof than any of Apple's modern iPad designs.

The 10th-gen device may be a more useful productivity focused device due to the larger display, better performance, and Magic Keyboard support. The rear camera has more advanced photography and videography capabilities than the front camera. Some users may prefer the 10th- generation iPad's modern design and vibrant array of color options.

The ninth-generation iPad has a good balance of basic features but with less advanced technologies. Prospective customers that simply need a new iPad at the lowest possible price are not likely to care about the differences, so it may not be worth the extra $120. The upgrade to the newer model will be worth it if you plan to use the iPad a lot for a long time.