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Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021)

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27 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [27]

85
Total expert reviews: 27
  • with a score: 21
  • without a score: 6
Highest score by What Hi-Fi
100
Average score based on 27 reviews
85
Lowest score by RadioTimes
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
80
One of the best tablets you can buy, no matter the price
The ninth-generation iPad from Apple is a reliable and affordable tablet that offers significant improvements in processing power, storage, and camera quality. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the iPad Pro, but it is a great value for its price and is the best tablet option for most people.
+ pros
  • More powerful processor and double the storage: The upgraded processor and increased storage capacity provide improved performance and more space for apps, files, and media.
  • Improved cameras: The upgraded front-facing camera and the addition of Center Stage enhance the iPad's video conferencing capabilities and provide a better overall camera experience.
  • Affordable price: The ninth-generation iPad is Apple's most affordable tablet, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking for a reliable device.
  • Bright and crisp display: The 10.2-inch LCD display offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, making it ideal for indoor use.
  • Decent internet speeds: The iPad supports dual-band Wi-Fi 5, providing reliable and fast internet connectivity.
- cons
  • Mediocre speakers: The speakers on the iPad are not great, but there are alternative audio options available such as a headphone jack and Bluetooth.
  • Limited storage and LTE connectivity: The base model comes with 64GB of storage, which may not be sufficient for users who require more storage or LTE connectivity, requiring additional payment.
  • Not as powerful as iPad Pro: While the ninth-generation iPad can handle basic work tasks, it may not be as powerful as the iPad Pro, limiting its capabilities for more demanding tasks.
  • First-gen Apple Pencil support: While the iPad supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, artists may prefer the iPad Air for a better drawing experience.
  • Lack of multiple user accounts: The iPad does not have the option for multiple user accounts, limiting its utility for shared or family use.
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Expert consensus

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) has received positive reviews for its display quality, performance, and storage options, making it a versatile tablet for various use cases.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) has received positive reviews from experts, particularly for its display quality and performance. The 10. 2-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology provides sharp and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for tasks such as watching movies, browsing the web, and viewing photos.

The A13 Bionic chip offers excellent performance, allowing for smooth multitasking and running demanding apps. The battery life of the iPad is estimated to be around 10 hours, making it suitable for a full day of normal use. The audio quality has also been improved compared to the previous model, although the stereo effect may not be as pronounced due to the speaker placement.

The iPad offers two storage options, 64GB and 256GB, catering to different user needs. However, it does not support expandable storage. The connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 5, 4G LTE, and Bluetooth 4. 2, may be suitable for most everyday tasks, but may not offer the latest standards available in newer devices.

Overall, the Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) is praised for its display, performance, and storage options, making it a versatile tablet for various use cases.

Display

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) features a high-quality 10.2-inch Retina Display with vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and impressive brightness, making it ideal for various tasks.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) features a 10. 2-inch Retina Display with an LED backlit panel and IPS technology. The display has a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels and a pixel density of 264ppi, providing sharp and detailed visuals.

Experts praise the display quality, noting its wide viewing angles and vibrant colors. The brightness of 500 nits is considered impressive for its price range. The inclusion of True Tone technology further enhances the viewing experience by adjusting the color temperature based on the surrounding environment.

While the iPad 9th Gen does not support Dolby Vision HDR, the display is still regarded as a strong point of the tablet. Overall, the display is well-suited for various use cases, such as watching movies, browsing the web, and viewing photos with excellent clarity and color reproduction.

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Performance

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) is highly praised for its excellent performance, powered by the A13 Bionic chip, making it capable of handling demanding tasks and delivering a seamless user experience.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) is highly praised by experts for its excellent performance. Powered by the A13 Bionic chip, it offers a significant increase in performance compared to its predecessor. The tablet is capable of handling demanding tasks, running apps smoothly, and delivering a seamless user experience.

It is particularly appreciated for everyday tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and productivity. The iPad 9th Gen (2021) is considered to be a high-performing tablet that provides fast performance, powerful internals, and excellent battery life. Whether you're streaming videos, launching apps, or multitasking, this iPad offers more than enough processing power to handle it all.

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Battery Life

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) has an average battery life of approximately 10 hours and can be fully charged in around 2 hours and 45 minutes using the included 20W charger.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) has an average battery life of approximately 10 hours, according to expert reviews. This estimation is based on typical daily use, including web browsing, video streaming, and other common tasks. Some specific battery test results were mentioned, such as 8 hours in a Geekbench 4 battery drain test, 10 hours and 22 minutes in another Geekbench 4 battery test, and 13 hours and 11 minutes in a video rundown test.

Overall, the consensus is that the battery life of the iPad 9th Gen (2021) is consistent with previous iPad models and can last for a full day of normal use.

In terms of charging, the iPad 9th Gen (2021) comes with a 20W charger and USB-C to Lightning cable. Using this charger, it takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully charge the device from zero to 100%. However, if you have a MacBook with a 30W charger, the charging time can be faster, around 1.

5 to 2 hours. It's important to note that charging times can be influenced by factors such as the battery level when charging starts and device usage during charging.

The iPad 9th Gen (2021) does support fast charging, and using the included 20W charger, you can expect to reach around 24% battery in 30 minutes. The full charging time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. However, the actual charging times may vary slightly depending on specific usage and conditions.

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Audio

The Apple iPad 9th Gen has improved audio quality compared to its predecessor, but the placement of the speakers on one side of the device limits the stereo effect.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) has two speakers, but they are located side by side on the bottom of the device, which may not provide ideal stereo separation. While the iPad 9th Gen technically supports stereo sound, the placement of the speakers on one side of the device can result in a lopsided sound experience when watching videos or listening to music in landscape mode.

However, experts have noted that the audio quality of the iPad 9th Gen is an improvement over its predecessor. They mentioned that the audio is more refined and has a nicely insightful treble, with acoustic guitar sounds sounding rounder and sweeter compared to the previous model. Overall, the audio quality of the iPad 9th Gen is considered to be better than its predecessor, but the stereo effect may not be as pronounced as desired due to the speaker placement.

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Storage

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) offers two storage options, 64GB and 256GB, catering to different user needs and preferences.

According to expert reviews, the Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) offers two options for internal storage capacity: 64GB and 256GB. This provides users with a choice based on their specific storage needs and preferences. The base model of the iPad comes with 64GB of storage, which is double the capacity compared to the previous generation.

This is suitable for users who primarily use their iPad for basic tasks such as browsing the internet, streaming media, and using productivity apps.

For users who require more storage space, there is an option to upgrade to the 256GB capacity. This is ideal for individuals who frequently download and store large files, such as high-resolution photos and videos, or who use resource-intensive applications such as video editing software or graphic design tools.

It is important to note that the iPad 9th Gen (2021) does not offer expandable storage options, such as a microSD card slot. Therefore, users should carefully consider their storage needs before making a decision on which storage capacity to choose. Overall, the iPad 9th Gen (2021) provides a range of storage options to cater to different user requirements, ensuring that users have sufficient space to store their files and applications.

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Connectivity

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) offers reliable Wi-Fi 5 and 4G LTE connectivity, but lacks support for Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and Bluetooth 5.0, and only has a Lightning port instead of USB-C.

The Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) offers reliable Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, which is suitable for most everyday tasks. However, it does not support the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, which may be a drawback for users who require faster speeds and improved capacity in high-density environments. The cellular version of the iPad 9th Gen (2021) supports 4G LTE connectivity, but does not support 5G, limiting users to 4G LTE speeds for cellular data.

In terms of Bluetooth connectivity, the iPad 9th Gen (2021) supports Bluetooth 4. 2, which is slightly older compared to the newer Bluetooth 5. 0 version. While Bluetooth 4. 2 is still capable of wirelessly streaming audio and connecting to various Bluetooth devices, it may not offer the same data transmission speed and range as Bluetooth 5.

0.

The iPad 9th Gen (2021) features a Lightning port for charging and connecting to external devices. However, it does not have a USB-C port like other newer iPad models. This means that users who need to connect USB-C devices, such as monitors or external drives, will need to use a dongle or adapter to connect them to the Lightning port.

Overall, the connectivity options of the Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) may be suitable for most users' everyday needs, but may not offer the latest and fastest connectivity standards available in newer devices.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all tablets.

Rank Change Price Tablet
Digital Trends
PCMag
T3
WIRED
Wirecutter
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
techadvisor
What Hi-Fi
Laptop Mag
1
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Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022)
The Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) has received positive reviews for its display, performance, audio quality, and connectivity options, making it a versatile device for various use cases.
3
1
2
1
1
1
9
-
1
5
2
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Apple iPad Air M2 2024
1
4
1
4
-
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1
1
-
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3
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Apple iPad Pro M4 2024
6
5
8
10
2
2
6
4
3
-
4
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Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet offers a good display, fast performance, excellent battery life, impressive audio quality, and sufficient storage options, making it a great choice for casual users.
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10
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Apple iPad 9th Gen (2021) ranks #14 out of 17 in this month's ranking:
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