Apple iPad 10.2-inch (9th generation)

1. Introduction

The Apple iPad 9th Generation was released in 2021 as an affordable tablet designed for everyday use. It combines Apple's A13 Bionic processor, a 10.2-inch Retina display, and the iPadOS operating system to provide a practical experience for students, professionals, and casual users. The 64GB model is the base storage option and is suitable for browsing the internet, watching videos, reading, studying, and using everyday applications.

2. Design and build quality

The iPad 9th Generation features a traditional aluminium design with rounded corners, relatively thick bezels, and a physical Home button. It is available in Silver and Space Grey.

Although its design is older compared with newer iPad models, it remains practical and comfortable to use. The Touch ID sensor provides convenient fingerprint authentication, while the 3.5mm headphone jack is useful for users who prefer wired headphones.

One drawback is its weight of approximately 487g for the Wi-Fi model, which makes it less lightweight than some newer tablets. Nevertheless, its construction feels solid and suitable for everyday use.

3. Display quality

The 10.2-inch Retina display is one of the device's strongest features. Its 2160 × 1620 resolution provides clear text, detailed images, and a good viewing experience for films, websites, digital books, and educational content.

True Tone automatically adjusts the display's colour temperature to suit the surrounding lighting, helping make reading more comfortable. The 500-nit brightness is adequate for most indoor environments.

However, the display is not fully laminated, meaning there is a small visible gap between the glass and the LCD panel. It also lacks the higher refresh rates available on some premium tablets. These limitations are noticeable mainly when drawing or scrolling quickly.

4. Performance and storage

The A13 Bionic chip provides enough processing power for common tasks such as browsing, email, online lessons, document editing, social media, and casual gaming.

The 64GB storage capacity is a significant improvement over the 32GB base storage of its predecessor. However, some of this space is occupied by the operating system and applications, so the full 64GB will not be available for personal files.

The storage should be sufficient for users who rely mainly on streaming services and cloud storage. Those who download many large games, keep extensive photo libraries, or store films offline may find it restrictive.

As a device introduced in 2021, it is also important to consider its age when buying one in 2026. Future software support and compatibility with demanding new apps are less certain than with a newer iPad.

5. Camera and multimedia

The iPad includes an 8MP rear camera and a much more useful 12MP Ultra Wide front camera.

• Front camera: Suitable for video meetings, online classes, and FaceTime calls.
• Center Stage: Automatically keeps the user in frame during supported video calls.
• Rear camera: Suitable for scanning documents, taking reference photos, and basic photography.
• Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones provide a practical multimedia experience.

The rear camera is relatively basic by modern smartphone standards, particularly in low-light conditions. Nevertheless, the front camera makes the tablet useful for students and remote workers.

6. Battery life and connectivity

Apple rates the iPad for up to 10 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi or video playback, or up to nine hours of web browsing over cellular data. Actual battery life varies according to brightness, applications, network conditions, and battery health.

The tablet uses a Lightning port rather than USB-C. This is less convenient if most of your other devices use USB-C, although the supplied charging cable and adapter make charging straightforward.

Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. Cellular versions support mobile data, which is helpful when working away from Wi-Fi networks. The standard model also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which can be useful for handwritten notes and basic drawing.