If you’re looking for a more affordable iPad than the latest, Amazon has it 2021 base model for only $199. While it’s a generation behind the current version, this ninth-generation edition could be great for kids, seniors, or those who want a HomeKit-based smart home hub.
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The three-year-old model is still a capable tablet for anyone who forgoes the latest and greatest hardware. The ninth generation iPad It has a 10.2-inch Retina display and a Touch ID sensor based on Apple’s old home button. working on it A13 Bionic chipit has a hexa-core processor, a quad-core GPU and an octa-core Neural Engine. This is not the model to get screaming fast speeds, the most eye-catching display or upcoming models. Apple Intelligencebut when you look at the price, it’s hard to make much of any of that.
Engadget’s 2021 review found this model to be a “modest upgrade” over the previous version. Nathan Ingraham described it as “a fast, light tablet with a great screen and tons of apps without spending a lot of money.” In our battery test, we saw it beat Apple’s estimate of 10 hours, with about 14 hours of continuous video streaming.
This model works with and will support iPadOS 17 iPadOS 18 when it launches this fall. It’s unknown how many years of updates it will be eligible for after that, but the upcoming 2024 firmware will still be running on two generations of hardware behind this model, hinting that it’s not nearing the end of the line just yet.
It is also very suitable for video chatting and is supported by its 12MP ultra-wide front camera Center Stage. Apple’s machine learning-based feature tracks your face and everyone else’s in the frame, adjusting the frame accordingly with automatic pans and zooms.
Compatible with the ninth generation iPad if you want to add accessories for a more laptop-like experience first generation Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard.
It should be noted that this model uses a Lightning connector rather than USB-C, which Apple has changed its product line. There’s a charger in the box, but you might want to consider that if you’ve removed all your old Lightning cables. On the other hand, some might consider it a bonus that it still includes Apple’s non-functional headphone jack.
