Is iPad (9th gen) worth buying in 2023?

The 9th gen has been a superb launch last year (Image via CNET)
The 9th gen has been a superb launch last year (Image via CNET)

With the onset of September, the iPad (9th gen) will be completing its first anniversary since its worldwide release around the same time in 2021. A fitting successor to the 8th gen, the latest one has received several upgrades over its predecessors.

However, there's the 10th generation that was released last year, and it raises a vital question - should someone get the 9th generation in 2023?

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The iPad (9th gen), also known as iPad 9, was released worldwide on September 24. It belongs to a long line of budget tablets that Apple offers and caters to a wide variety of needs. From taking notes and drawing illustrations to playing games, it can do things well and effectively.

There is no doubt over its total quality since it has managed to appease a lot of fans all over the world. That being said, the dilemma over buying in 2023 could be quite real. After all, the 10th generation was released last year, and there's no doubt about it being better. However, there are still some strong cases to go with the 9th gen as things stand.


Should buyers invest in an Apple's iPad (9th gen) in 2023?

When deciding to buy the device, it will depend on several factors. One stems down to where the device stands in terms of overall quality. The second point will compare it to the kind of features users receive in the 10th generation.

The iPad 9th generation comes with a 10.2-inch retina display that perfectly picturizes the details and colours. The 10th generation features a larger and slimmer display. In contrast, the settings on the 9th generation seem to be a better fit.

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The 9th generation received a 20% overall boost in performance, thanks to an upgraded version of the A13 Bionic chip. The 64-bit system is run by 6 cores, divided into 2 subgroups, and 3 GB of LPDDR4X RAM.

iPad (9th gen) can effectively run all the resource-heavy games in the mobile market. Even with an upgraded performance on the 10th gen, the 9th gen does not languish too much. Except for those who are into very hardcore gaming, there won't be a noticeable difference in the performance between the two generations.

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The camera hasn't been a strong point of the budget series, and it gets the job done at its best. Power management and battery life remain excellent as ever, and the device can easily last a day based on moderate usage. Running resource-intensive applications will draw its power quickly, while it can last for days on minimal power consumption if left idle.

The 64 GB variant is available for $309, while the 256 GB is priced at $459. Considering the features and the bevy of options the 10th generation offers in the tablet market, it might be a good idea to pick up the 10th gen instead.


Frequently Asked Questions on the iPad (9th gen)

How old is 9th gen iPad?

The iPad (9th gen) was originally released on September 24, 2021, making it nearly two years old. Its successor, the iPad (10th gen) was released the following year, on October 26, 2022, and followed the path laid by the previous iPad Pro and iPad Air.

Will 9th gen iPad be discontinued?

While the 10th gen iPad is the current generation of the product, Apple is still selling the 9th gen iPad, making it the cheapest option in the entire lineup.

What is the iPad 9th generation used for?

Apple's iPad is a series of tablets used for a lot of work, from drawing in ProCreate to taking notes and balancing sheets on Google Workspace to attending video conferences over Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The devices run Apple's own iPadOS and work seamlessly with other devices in the Apple Ecosystem.

How long do iPads last?

Apple promises a minimum of five years of software support with the latest and greatest update. However, with reliable hardware, iPads can last easily up to seven years or more.

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