Apple iPad (10th generation) vs. iPad (9th generation): What’s new?

The iPad of the tenth generation It’s here, and for the first time in years, it’s not a direct replacement for what came before. Apple’s latest flagship tablet offers an all-new design with a larger screen, faster processor, and modern perks like 5G connectivity and USB-C. But it also brings the price up significantly to $449, which is why Apple is still selling the $329 iPad. ninth generation As a more budget friendly option.

So, does it line up with the flashy looks and more future-installed specs of the 2022 iPad, or save some cash on the still-premium 2021 model? We’ve tested both tablets extensively, and put them head to head to help you make the right decision.

Show	10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640	10.2 inch Retina display 2160 x 1620
Healer	A14 Bionic	A13 Bionic
cameras	12 MP ultra-wide camera (front); 12MP Wide Camera with 4K Video (Rear)	12 MP Ultra HD camera (front-facing); 8 MP rear camera
Apple Pencil Support	1st generation (adapter required)	first generation
keyboard support	Magic Keyboard Folio	smart keyboard
Connection	Wi-Fi 6, 5G and USB-C	Wi-Fi, 4G, Lightning, headphone jack
Dimensions	9.79 x 7.7 x 0.28 inches, 1.05 pounds	9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches, 1.07 lbs
Colors	Silver, pink, blue, yellow	Gray, Silver, Silver
price	$449	$299

If you care about looking good, get the new iPad. Apple’s latest flagship tablet finally adopts its most affordable design iPad Air And the iPad Pro Analogous, which means you get a gorgeous aluminum slate with sleek, uniform bezels and thinner screen bezels — all of which allow for a slightly larger screen. The new iPad also comes in a range of eye-catching colors (blue, pink, yellow, and silver), which might look nicer on your coffee table than the dull silver and space gray that hung on the 9th generation model.

The updated iPad 2022 design isn’t just about display – it also switches from Lightning to USB-C charging, opening the tablet up to an even greater range of accessories and will play nicely with a range of USB-C cables You may already have it around the house.

One of the 10th generation iPad’s biggest upgrades is the landscape-oriented front camera, which will better keep you centered (and not far to the side) during video calls when the iPad is in landscape mode. Both iPads have Center Stage technology to keep you in the frame automatically, but if you plan on using the iPad as a laptop replacement and spend a lot of time on FaceTimes and Zooms, you’ll look even better in the new model.

The iPad’s rear camera has also been upgraded for 2022, and now it’s equipped with a 12MP lens (up from 8MP) that can shoot in 4K and capture slow-motion video at 240fps. While these perks are great for regular YouTubers and video creators, I’m not sure how many people use their tablets to record high-quality videos in the wild.

Both the 9th and 10th generation iPad offer cellular options for people who want (or need) to get online anywhere, but only the newer model supports 5G. This means that with a supported cellular plan and in a supported region, you’ll get better browsing speeds on the go. 5G is still an advanced technology and works better in some areas than others, but investing in a 5G iPad will make you more confident in the long-term future. The same goes for the new model’s Wi-Fi 6 support, which allows for faster internet if you have Wi-Fi 6 enabled. Router.

There’s a huge price gap between the $329 9th generation iPad and the $449 10th generation iPad, before you factor in the discounts. Apple’s 2021 iPad is almost always on sale — it’s Currently $299 on Amazon, and we’ve seen it drop to $269 during major shopping events. That’s nearly $200 less than the new model if you picked it up at the right time.

And if you can live without the perks described above, you’re not sacrificing much for that low price. While it’s not nearly as powerful as the 10th-gen iPad, the 2021 model is still one of the fastest tablets out there, and has more than enough speed for the kind of gaming, web browsing, and light productivity work that most people do on the web. IPAD. It has access to the latest iPadOS software and the same excellent selection of apps and games. It offers the same seamless integration with other Apple devices and services that you’d get with more expensive iPads.

For all its impressive upgrades, the iPad 2022 has one glaring omission: the headphone jack. Sure, a lot of people use it Bluetooth headphones These days, and you can always choose a file USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter For your wired headset or earphones. But if you want to be able to easily plug in your existing wired headphones (especially for the little one trying to occupy your mind with dinner), it will be easier to do so on the 9th generation model. Speaking of ports and adapters, as well as pairing and charging of the Apple Pencil Much less headache On an older iPad.

If you already have iPad keyboard Or a case for the 7th or 8th generation model and you want to keep using it, you better use the 9th generation. Because the 10th generation model introduces a new size and design, it won’t work with keyboards and cases designed for generations 7-9, like Apple’s popular Smart Keyboard. bluetooth keyboards It will work fine across both models, but if you want a physically attached switchgear it will work Turn your 10th generation iPad into a laptopYou will have to purchase one specifically designed for the new model.

The 10th generation iPad is a great tablet, and you’ll enjoy great performance, a beautiful design, and plenty of futuristic connectivity for $449. But we still think that the 9th generation iPad is best tablet For the vast majority of people, you’ll get the same speed and the same software experience for a fraction of the price. And for people who be Willing to pay a higher price for a new iPad, the more powerful (and often discounted) iPad Air 2022 is a better value.