iPad 10th Gen & iPad 9th Gen share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPad 10th Gen rather than the iPad 9th Gen.
Why Do I Recommend The iPad 10th Gen?
- The iPad 10th Gen has a powerful A14 Bionic chip for faster processing, smoother multitasking, & better gaming performance, while the iPad 9th Gen has A13 chip.
- iPad 10th Gen features a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display for a more immersive viewing experience, sharper visuals, & reduced bezels, compared to the 9th Gen’s 10.2-inch Retina screen.
- It supports 5G connectivity for faster cellular data, lower latency, & future-ready mobile performance, compared to the iPad 9th Gen’s LTE support.
- The iPad 10th Gen has a 12MP rear camera with 4K video recording for sharper photos & professional-quality video, while the iPad 9th Gen comes with an 8MP 1080p camera.
- iPad 10th Gen offers USB-C connectivity for faster data transfer, universal charging, & compatibility with modern accessories, unlike the iPad 9th Gen’s Lightning port.
- It supports Magic Keyboard Folio with full-size keys & trackpad for enhanced productivity, compared to the limited Smart Keyboard support on the iPad 9th Gen.
- The iPad 10th Gen features a modern flat-edge design with Touch ID in the top button for a sleek, refined, & more premium experience, compared to the 9th Gen’s older Home Button layout.
Maybe the iPad 9th Gen price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPad 10th Gen. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPad 10th Gen | iPad 9th Gen |
| Chipset | A14 Bionic chip | A13 Bionic chip |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 8-core |
| Display Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2160 x 1620 |
| Body Design | Flat-edge aluminum chassis | Rounded-edge aluminum chassis |
| Home Button | No | Yes |
| Touch ID Location | Top button | Front |
| Display Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Display Type | Liquid Retina | Retina |
| Anti-Reflective Coating | Yes | No |
| True Tone Display | Yes | Yes |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide | 8MP Wide |
| Rear Video Recording | 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60fps | 1080p at 30fps |
| USB Port Type | USB-C | Lightning |
| Apple Pencil Compatibility | Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil |
| Keyboard Support | Magic Keyboard Folio | Smart Keyboard |
| Speaker Setup | Landscape stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Cellular Network | 5G | 4G LTE |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Colors | Silver, Blue, Pink, Yellow | Silver, Space Gray |
| Weight (Wi-Fi model) | 477g | 487g |
| Weight (Cellular model) | 481g | 498g |
| OS at Launch | iPadOS 16 | iPadOS 15 |
| Price | Check iPad 10th Gen Price | Check iPad 9 th Gen Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System (Upgradeable): Both iPad 10th Gen and iPad 9th Gen run iPadOS and support updates to the latest iPadOS version, allowing users access to the newest features, security patches, and software compatibility.
- Apple Pencil Support: Each model supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil, enabling users to write, draw, and annotate. While connection methods differ (Lightning vs USB-C adapter), both deliver the same stylus functionality.
- Touch ID: Touch ID is available on both models for secure unlocking and purchases—though the 10th Gen integrates it into the top button while the 9th Gen uses the Home button.
- True Tone Display: Both iPads include True Tone technology, which adjusts the screen’s white balance based on ambient lighting to offer a more natural and comfortable viewing experience.
- Front Camera Resolution: Both devices have a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera, supporting high-quality selfies and video calls.
- Center Stage: Each iPad supports Center Stage, which uses the front camera’s wide field of view to keep users centered during video calls, enhancing FaceTime and virtual meetings.
- Smart Connector: Both models have a Smart Connector that allows compatible keyboards and accessories to attach and draw power without Bluetooth pairing.
- Stereo Speakers: Stereo audio playback is present on both devices, giving users decent sound quality for media consumption.
- Battery Life: Each model offers up to 10 hours of battery life for web browsing or video playback on Wi‑Fi, ensuring all-day performance for typical usage.
- Storage Options: Both iPads come in 64GB and 256GB storage variants, allowing similar flexibility in app, photo, and video storage.
- iCloud & App Store: Users can access Apple’s ecosystem of cloud services and the App Store on both models, ensuring seamless app downloads and data sync across devices.
- Apple Services Support: Each iPad supports Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, iCloud, and other subscription services.
- Environmental Efforts: Apple uses recycled aluminum in the chassis of both iPads as part of its sustainability initiatives.
- Security Features: Both feature the Secure Enclave hardware security element, supporting encrypted data storage and biometric authentication.
- Family Sharing & Parental Controls: Both iPads support Apple’s Family Sharing system and Screen Time settings, allowing parents to manage access and content restrictions for children.
Common Features
| Feature | iPad 10th Gen | iPad 9th Gen |
| Operating System (Upgradeable) | iPadOS | iPadOS |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil |
| Touch ID | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone Display | Yes | Yes |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Center Stage | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Connector | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB |
| iCloud & App Store | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Services Support | Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, iCloud, etc | Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, iCloud, etc |
| Environmental Efforts | Recycled aluminum enclosure | Recycled aluminum enclosure |
| Security Features | Touch ID, Secure Enclave | Touch ID, Secure Enclave |
| Family Sharing & Parental Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPad 10th Gen Price | Check iPad 9th Gen Price |
FAQ
Does the iPad 10th Gen have better performance than the iPad 9th Gen? Can both iPads use the Apple Pencil? Do both iPads support the same display features? Is the camera quality better on the iPad 10th Gen? Do both iPads have Center Stage on the front camera? What type of port does each iPad use? Are both iPads compatible with external keyboards? Do both iPads have Touch ID? Is there a price difference between the two iPads? Which iPad is better for video editing or gaming? Can both iPads run the latest iPadOS updates? Do both iPads support family sharing and parental controls? Is the battery life the same on both iPads? Which iPad is better overall in terms of future-proofing? |
