IPad 9th Gen (2021) Review: Still Worth It In 2024?
Alright, tech enthusiasts and casual users alike, let's dive deep into the iPad 9th generation (2021). Even though it's not the newest kid on the block anymore, this iPad still holds a special place in many hearts – and for good reason. We’re going to break down everything from its performance and display quality to its battery life and overall value in today's market. So, is it still worth your hard-earned cash in 2024? Let's find out!
Design and Build Quality: Classic iPad Through and Through
The design of the iPad 9th generation is undeniably classic. If you've seen an iPad from the past few years, you'll know exactly what to expect. It sports the familiar thick bezels around the display and the iconic home button with Touch ID. Some might call it dated, but there's a certain charm and practicality to this design. The bezels provide a comfortable grip, reducing accidental screen touches, and the home button is a reliable and convenient way to unlock your device and navigate the interface.
Build quality is solid, as you'd expect from Apple. The aluminum chassis feels sturdy and premium in hand. It's available in two classic colors: Silver and Space Gray. While it's not the thinnest or lightest tablet on the market, it feels well-balanced and durable. The 9th generation iPad retains the headphone jack, a feature that's increasingly rare on modern devices, making it a boon for those who prefer wired headphones or need to connect to external audio equipment without dongles. The inclusion of the Lightning port for charging and data transfer is perhaps the biggest indicator of its age, as Apple has transitioned to USB-C on many of its other devices. Despite this, the Lightning port is still widely supported, and cables are readily available.
For users who appreciate simplicity and reliability, the iPad 9th generation offers a comfortable and familiar experience. It's a design that prioritizes function over form, and while it may not turn heads with its aesthetics, it's a dependable and practical device for everyday use.
Display: A Visual Treat for Everyday Use
The iPad 9th generation features a 10.2-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 264 ppi. This means the screen is sharp, clear, and provides excellent detail for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and reading ebooks. The display also supports True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature of the screen to match the ambient lighting in your environment. This makes the viewing experience more comfortable, especially in different lighting conditions, reducing eye strain during prolonged use.
Color accuracy is decent, making it suitable for casual photo editing and creative tasks. While it may not satisfy professional photographers or graphic designers who require extremely precise color reproduction, it's more than adequate for most users. The brightness is sufficient for indoor use, but it can struggle in direct sunlight. Viewing angles are wide, ensuring that the display remains clear and legible even when viewed from the side. One of the standout features of the 9th generation iPad's display is its support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. This allows you to take handwritten notes, sketch, and annotate documents with precision and ease. The Apple Pencil experience is smooth and responsive, making it a valuable tool for students, artists, and anyone who prefers the tactile feel of writing on paper.
Overall, the display on the iPad 9th generation is a solid performer that delivers a pleasant visual experience for a wide range of tasks. It's not the most advanced display on the market, but it's sharp, clear, and comfortable to use, making it a great choice for everyday use.
Performance: Still Zippy Enough?
Under the hood, the iPad 9th generation is powered by the A13 Bionic chip, which was a significant upgrade over its predecessor. This chip provides a noticeable boost in performance, making the iPad feel snappier and more responsive. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run without any noticeable lag. The A13 Bionic chip also brings improvements to machine learning capabilities, enhancing features like Live Text and Visual Look Up.
While the A13 Bionic chip is not the latest and greatest from Apple, it's still plenty powerful for most tasks that the average user will throw at it. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming videos, playing games, or working on documents, the 9th generation iPad can handle it all with ease. It's also worth noting that the A13 Bionic chip is very energy-efficient, contributing to the iPad's excellent battery life.
Of course, if you're a power user who demands the absolute best performance, you might want to consider a more recent iPad model with a newer chip. But for the vast majority of users, the A13 Bionic chip in the iPad 9th generation provides more than enough performance for everyday use.
Software: iPadOS and its Magic
The iPad 9th generation ships with iPadOS, Apple's tablet-specific operating system. iPadOS is designed to take full advantage of the iPad's larger screen and offers a range of features that enhance productivity and multitasking. Some of the key features of iPadOS include Slide Over, Split View, and Center Window, which allow you to work with multiple apps simultaneously. There's also support for widgets on the home screen, allowing you to quickly glance at information without having to open apps.
Apple provides regular software updates for the iPad 9th generation, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. This is a significant advantage over Android tablets, which often receive fewer updates. The App Store offers a vast selection of apps optimized for iPad, including productivity tools, creative apps, and games. Many of these apps take advantage of the iPad's unique features, such as the Apple Pencil and the larger screen.
One of the standout features of iPadOS is its tight integration with other Apple devices and services. You can seamlessly hand off tasks between your iPad, iPhone, and Mac, and you can use features like AirDrop to quickly share files with other Apple users. Overall, iPadOS provides a smooth, intuitive, and feature-rich experience that makes the iPad 9th generation a pleasure to use.
Camera: Decent for Quick Snaps
The iPad 9th generation features an 8MP Wide camera on the rear and a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage. The rear camera is decent for taking quick snapshots and scanning documents, but it's not going to rival the cameras on modern smartphones. Image quality is acceptable in good lighting conditions, but it can struggle in low light.
The front camera is a significant improvement over previous models, thanks to its higher resolution and wider field of view. The Center Stage feature automatically adjusts the frame to keep you in view during video calls, even if you move around. This is a particularly useful feature for video conferencing and online classes. The front camera also supports Smart HDR, which helps to balance highlights and shadows in your photos and videos. While the camera system on the iPad 9th generation is not its strongest point, it's adequate for basic photography and video conferencing needs.
Battery Life: All-Day Power
Battery life is one of the iPad 9th generation's strongest suits. Apple claims up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video, and in real-world use, this holds up well. You can easily get through a full day of use on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy use. This makes the iPad a great choice for students, travelers, and anyone who needs a reliable device that can last all day.
The 9th generation iPad charges via the Lightning port, and it comes with a 20W power adapter in the box. Charging times are reasonable, but it's not the fastest charging on the market. Overall, the battery life on the iPad 9th generation is excellent, making it a reliable companion for all your daily tasks.
Value: Still a Steal in 2024?
So, is the iPad 9th generation still worth it in 2024? Absolutely! Its combination of performance, features, and affordability makes it a compelling option for a wide range of users. While it may not have the latest and greatest specs, it offers a solid experience for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and working on documents. The inclusion of the headphone jack and the support for the first-generation Apple Pencil are also nice touches.
Of course, there are other iPads to consider, such as the iPad Air and the iPad Pro, which offer more advanced features and performance. But these models also come at a higher price. For budget-conscious users who want a reliable and capable tablet, the iPad 9th generation remains an excellent choice. It's a great value for the money, and it's sure to provide years of enjoyment.
In conclusion, the iPad 9th generation (2021) continues to be a fantastic entry-level tablet in 2024. Its blend of performance, user-friendly features, and affordability make it a top pick for students, casual users, and families alike. While it might not boast the cutting-edge technology of newer models, its reliability and value proposition remain incredibly strong. If you're looking for a dependable iPad that won't break the bank, the 9th generation is definitely worth considering.