IPad 9th Gen (2021): Still Worth It? A Detailed Review

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iPad 9th Generation (2021) Review: Still a Relevant Choice?

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the iPad 9th Generation (2021). Even though it's not the newest kid on the block anymore, it's still a super popular and affordable option for a lot of people. So, is it still worth considering in 2024? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality: Classic iPad Vibes

The iPad 9th generation sticks to the classic iPad design we all know and recognize. We're talking about the iconic bezels, the familiar home button with Touch ID, and a sturdy build that feels like it can handle daily wear and tear. It's not trying to be flashy or reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that's part of its charm.

  • Familiar Design: The iPad 9th Gen keeps the classic iPad look. This means you get those noticeable bezels around the screen and the physical Home button that doubles as a Touch ID sensor. Some might find the bezels a bit dated compared to the edge-to-edge displays on newer iPads, but they do provide a comfortable grip and prevent accidental touches. The aluminum build feels solid and durable, assuring it can withstand daily use and bumps. It's available in two classic colors: Silver and Space Gray.
  • Build Quality: The aluminum casing provides a premium feel, making the iPad 9th Gen feel more expensive than it actually is. The construction is solid, with no noticeable flex or creaking. This gives you confidence in its durability, making it a great device for both home and on-the-go use. The weight is well-balanced, so it's comfortable to hold for extended periods, whether you're reading, watching videos, or playing games.
  • Home Button with Touch ID: The inclusion of the Home button with Touch ID is a welcome feature for many users. It provides a quick and secure way to unlock your iPad and authenticate purchases. The Touch ID sensor is reliable and easy to set up, offering a convenient alternative to Face ID, which is found on more expensive iPad models. For those who prefer the tactile feedback of a physical button, the Home button is a definite plus.
  • Port and Connectivity: The iPad 9th Gen features a Lightning port for charging and data transfer, which might be seen as a drawback by some, considering that many modern devices are now using USB-C. However, it still supports fast charging with the included 20W power adapter. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a convenient feature for those who still prefer using wired headphones. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2, providing reliable connections for internet access and pairing with accessories.

Display: A Decent Visual Experience

The 10.2-inch Retina display on the iPad 9th Gen is perfectly fine for everyday use. It's sharp enough for reading, watching videos, and browsing the web. Colors are decent, and the brightness is adequate for most indoor environments. However, it's not the most vibrant or color-accurate display out there, and it can struggle a bit in direct sunlight.

  • Retina Display: The 10.2-inch Retina display offers a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). This ensures that text and images appear sharp and clear, making it comfortable for reading e-books, browsing websites, and viewing photos. The display is also bright enough for most indoor environments, providing a pleasant viewing experience for various tasks. However, it's worth noting that the display is not laminated, which means there is a slight air gap between the glass and the LCD panel. This can result in some reflections and a less immersive viewing experience compared to laminated displays found on higher-end iPads.
  • True Tone Technology: One of the notable features of the display is True Tone technology. True Tone automatically adjusts the color temperature of the display to match the ambient lighting conditions in your environment. This helps to reduce eye strain and makes the viewing experience more comfortable, especially when using the iPad for extended periods. The display will appear warmer in cooler lighting conditions and cooler in warmer lighting conditions, creating a more natural and pleasing visual experience.
  • Brightness and Color Accuracy: The display has a maximum brightness of around 500 nits, which is adequate for most indoor use cases. However, it may struggle in direct sunlight, making it difficult to see the screen clearly. The color accuracy is decent but not exceptional, with a color gamut that covers approximately 70% of the sRGB color space. This means that colors may not appear as vibrant or accurate as they do on higher-end iPads with wider color gamuts. However, for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games, the color accuracy is generally sufficient.
  • Display Limitations: One of the main limitations of the display is that it is not fully laminated. This means that there is a small gap between the glass and the LCD panel, which can result in some reflections and a less immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the display does not support the P3 wide color gamut, which is found on more expensive iPads. This means that colors may not appear as rich or accurate as they do on those devices. However, considering the price point of the iPad 9th Gen, these limitations are understandable and do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience.

Performance: Surprisingly Capable

Under the hood, the iPad 9th Gen is powered by the A13 Bionic chip. While it's not the latest and greatest, it's still surprisingly capable. It handles everyday tasks like browsing, email, and video streaming with ease. It can even handle some light gaming and creative work without breaking a sweat.

  • A13 Bionic Chip: The A13 Bionic chip is the powerhouse behind the iPad 9th Gen's performance. This chip features a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, providing a significant performance boost compared to the previous generation. The A13 Bionic chip is capable of handling a wide range of tasks with ease, from browsing the web and streaming videos to playing games and editing photos. It also features a dedicated Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.
  • Everyday Performance: In everyday use, the iPad 9th Gen feels snappy and responsive. Apps launch quickly, web pages load smoothly, and multitasking is seamless. You can easily switch between multiple apps without experiencing any noticeable lag or slowdown. The A13 Bionic chip ensures that the iPad can handle all your daily tasks with ease, making it a great device for both work and play.
  • Gaming Performance: The A13 Bionic chip also delivers impressive gaming performance. You can play most games on the App Store without any issues, even demanding titles like Fortnite and PUBG Mobile. The GPU provides smooth frame rates and detailed graphics, creating an immersive gaming experience. The iPad 9th Gen is a great option for casual gamers who want a portable device that can handle their favorite games without breaking the bank.
  • Creative Tasks: The iPad 9th Gen is also capable of handling some creative tasks like photo editing and video editing. The A13 Bionic chip provides enough processing power to handle these tasks smoothly, although it may struggle with more demanding projects. You can use apps like Adobe Lightroom and iMovie to edit photos and videos on the go, making the iPad a convenient tool for creative professionals and hobbyists.

Software: iPadOS Magic

The iPad 9th Gen runs on iPadOS, which is Apple's operating system designed specifically for iPads. It's user-friendly, intuitive, and packed with features that enhance the iPad experience. You get access to a vast library of apps in the App Store, as well as features like multitasking, Split View, and Slide Over, which make it easy to work and play on your iPad.

  • iPadOS Features: iPadOS brings a range of features that are designed to enhance the iPad experience. Multitasking features like Split View and Slide Over allow you to run multiple apps side by side, making it easy to work on different tasks simultaneously. The Files app provides a central location for managing your files, whether they are stored on your iPad or in the cloud. Safari offers a desktop-class browsing experience, with features like tab groups and a download manager. And the Apple Pencil support allows you to take notes, draw, and annotate documents with precision.
  • App Ecosystem: The App Store offers a vast library of apps that are optimized for the iPad. You can find apps for everything from productivity and creativity to entertainment and education. Many popular apps like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Procreate are available on the iPad, allowing you to work and create on the go. The App Store also features a wide range of games that are optimized for the iPad's larger screen and powerful hardware.
  • Software Updates: Apple provides regular software updates for the iPad, ensuring that you always have access to the latest features and security patches. The iPad 9th Gen is expected to receive software updates for several years to come, making it a future-proof investment. These updates not only bring new features but also improve the performance and stability of the device, ensuring that it continues to run smoothly over time.
  • User-Friendly Interface: iPadOS is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for anyone to pick up and use. The intuitive gestures and simple layout make it easy to navigate the system and find the features you need. The Home screen is customizable, allowing you to arrange your apps and widgets to suit your preferences. And the Control Center provides quick access to commonly used settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and screen brightness.

Camera: Good Enough for Casual Use

The iPad 9th Gen has an 8MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera. The rear camera is decent for taking quick snapshots and scanning documents. The front camera is great for video calls and selfies. However, don't expect professional-quality photos or videos from this iPad.

  • Rear Camera: The 8MP rear camera on the iPad 9th Gen is capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions. It can capture enough detail for casual snapshots and document scanning. However, the image quality deteriorates in low-light conditions, with noticeable noise and reduced sharpness. The rear camera also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, which is adequate for capturing casual videos.
  • Front Camera: The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera is a significant upgrade over the previous generation. It captures sharp and detailed selfies and provides excellent video call quality. The Ultra Wide lens also enables Center Stage, a feature that automatically adjusts the camera to keep you in the frame during video calls, even if you move around. This is a great feature for video conferencing and online classes.
  • Camera Features: The iPad 9th Gen offers a few basic camera features like HDR, panorama, and burst mode. However, it lacks some of the more advanced features found on higher-end iPads, such as Night mode and Cinematic mode. The Camera app is simple and easy to use, making it easy to capture photos and videos quickly.
  • Use Cases: The cameras on the iPad 9th Gen are suitable for a variety of use cases, including video calls, online classes, document scanning, and casual photography. The front camera is particularly useful for video conferencing and online learning, thanks to its high resolution and Center Stage feature. The rear camera is adequate for capturing quick snapshots and scanning documents, but it's not ideal for serious photography.

Battery Life: All-Day Endurance

Battery life is one of the iPad 9th Gen's strong suits. It can easily last for a full day of moderate use, including browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. This makes it a great device for students, travelers, and anyone who needs a reliable tablet that can last all day.

  • Battery Capacity: The iPad 9th Gen is equipped with a 32.4-watt-hour battery, which provides ample power for all-day use. Apple claims that the iPad can last for up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video. In real-world testing, the iPad consistently delivers on this claim, providing excellent battery life for a variety of tasks.
  • Real-World Performance: In real-world use, the iPad 9th Gen can easily last for a full day of moderate use. This includes browsing the web, checking email, streaming videos, playing games, and using productivity apps. Even with heavy use, the iPad can typically last for at least 8 hours on a single charge. This makes it a great device for students, travelers, and anyone who needs a reliable tablet that can last all day.
  • Charging: The iPad 9th Gen comes with a 20W USB-C power adapter, which allows for fast charging. It takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the iPad from 0% to 100%. The iPad also supports charging via USB, but this is significantly slower. You can also use a higher-wattage power adapter to charge the iPad even faster.
  • Battery Management: iPadOS includes several features that help you manage battery life. Low Power Mode reduces the performance of the iPad to extend battery life. Battery Usage information shows you which apps are consuming the most battery power. And Optimized Battery Charging learns your charging habits and waits to finish charging past 80% until just before you need to use the iPad.

Value for Money: A Budget-Friendly Option

One of the biggest draws of the iPad 9th Gen is its price. It's one of the most affordable iPads you can buy, making it a great value for money. You get a capable tablet with a decent display, good performance, and all-day battery life, all at a price that won't break the bank.

  • Affordable Price: The iPad 9th Gen is one of the most affordable iPads on the market. This makes it a great option for students, budget-conscious consumers, and anyone who wants a capable tablet without spending a fortune. Despite its low price, the iPad 9th Gen offers a lot of value for money, with a decent display, good performance, and all-day battery life.
  • Target Audience: The iPad 9th Gen is targeted towards a wide range of users, including students, families, and casual users. It's a great device for taking notes in class, browsing the web, watching videos, playing games, and staying connected with friends and family. Its affordability makes it accessible to a wider audience, while its performance and features make it a capable device for a variety of tasks.
  • Compared to Alternatives: Compared to other tablets in its price range, the iPad 9th Gen offers a superior user experience, thanks to its smooth performance, intuitive software, and access to the App Store. While some Android tablets may offer similar hardware specifications at a lower price, they often lack the polish and optimization of iPadOS. The iPad 9th Gen is also a more compelling option than older iPads, thanks to its faster processor, improved cameras, and longer battery life.
  • Long-Term Investment: The iPad 9th Gen is a long-term investment, thanks to its durable build quality, regular software updates, and access to a vast library of apps. Apple typically supports its iPads with software updates for several years, ensuring that the iPad 9th Gen will continue to receive new features and security patches for the foreseeable future. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants a tablet that will last for years to come.

Who is this iPad For?

The iPad 9th Gen is perfect for:

  • Students: It's great for taking notes, reading textbooks, and doing research.
  • Casual Users: It's ideal for browsing the web, watching videos, and staying connected with friends and family.
  • Families: It's a great device for kids to play games, watch educational content, and stay entertained on long trips.

Final Verdict: Still a Solid Choice

So, is the iPad 9th Gen (2021) still worth it? Absolutely! It may not be the flashiest or most powerful tablet out there, but it's a reliable, capable, and affordable option that's perfect for a wide range of users. If you're looking for a budget-friendly iPad that can handle everyday tasks with ease, the iPad 9th Gen is definitely worth considering.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Good performance
  • All-day battery life
  • User-friendly iPadOS

Cons:

  • Outdated design
  • Non-laminated display
  • Lightning port

Alright guys, that's my review of the iPad 9th Gen! Hope this helped you make a decision. Peace out!