iPad 9 vs. iPad 10 Buyer’s Guide: Which iPad Should You Buy? (2024)

The new iPad 10th Generation is officially here, and as strange as it may sound, the device actually brought me back to November 2017. Let me explain…

Five years ago, when Apple launched the iPhone X, the device was completely different than the iPhone 7 that came before it. It had a nearly bezel-less display, new gesture controls, and Face ID, which uses your facial features rather than your fingerprint to unlock the device.

Similarly to the more modernized iPhone X back then, this year’s iPad has been completely redesigned and has a whole lot going for it. The new iPad is thinner and lighter despite having a screen that’s about an inch larger than its predecessor’s. It packs a faster processor, uses a new USB-C port, and comes in four festive finishes. It also lacks a home button and headphone jack — features that have been on the base-model iPad since it launched back in 2010.

After two weeks of testing Apple’s latest iPad, I was impressed by its reliable battery life and fast performance. I also appreciated the extra real estate the display offers. I’ve spent time with both the latest model and last year’s model, which Apple currently sells for $329, and although you can’t go wrong with either, you might be better off opting for the latter.

Confused about which one would be best for you? Don’t worry — I’m here to help. I compared the two models below to help avoid any potential buyer’s remorse and ensure you’ll make the best purchase for your needs and budget.

3 Reasons You Should Get the iPad 10th Generation

You Want the Latest Design and Colorways

Apple’s new 10th-generation iPad sports a similar design as the more expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets. Rather than having thick bezels and a home button, it has a much more inviting and immersive display that uses a gesture-based user interface. The display is 10.9 inches in size (up from 9.7 inches from last year’s iPad), so it isn’t as cramped when you’re juggling multiple apps.

The device has flat aluminum edges, feels great in your hands, and comes in blue, pink, silver, and yellow. I tested the yellow variant, which helped it stand out more than my old silver iPad, helping avoid misplacing it on a constant basis. Although the 9.7-inch iPad 9th Generation’s display is still captivating and great for watching videos or getting work done, the newer iPad without a doubt looks nicer and feels more premium.

It Packs Superior Cameras

Although the 10th-generation iPad’s front-facing camera is the same 12MP ultrawide lens as last year’s model, it’s now optimized for landscape orientation. Basically, Apple stuck the selfie cam in the bezel on the long edge of the screen, while every other iPad has it on the shorter edge of the screen. As a full-time remote employee who takes several video calls each week, this is a welcomed change since it makes video calls look much better. I always appeared in focus, and the camera is less grainy than even some laptops I’ve tested.

It's worth mentioning that Apple also improved the rear shooter from 8MP to 12MP on the latest iPad. I’m not someone who takes photos with an iPad in public, but as the son of a baton-twirling choreographer, I’m confident that a lot of coaches and parents will be happy to see that the rear camera can now shoot 4K and slow-motion video. Last year’s model maxed out at 1080p, so videos will be more detailed.

You Want the Latest Connectivity Options

If you care about Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 5G, and a USB-C — which I know many people simply do not — you likely will be glad to learn that the latest iPad supports all these connectivity standards. In other words, these features make the device more futureproof and reliable. Wireless connections should be more stable and can reach longer distances, downloads are faster, and with USB-C, you likely can use the same charger as the one that came with your laptop.

One downside to both the ninth- and 10th-generation iPads is that they still use the older first-generation Apple Pencil that came out back in 2015. Since the 10th-generation model no longer has a Lightning port, you need to use a USB-C to Lightning adapter to charge it. The adapter is included if you were to purchase a first gen-Pencil today but costs $9 if you purchased the Pencil previously.

3 Reasons You Should Get the iPad 9th Generation

You Want a Headphone Jack or Home Button

Whether you have vision-or mobility issues and rely heavily on your tablet’s home button, or you just are stubborn and aren’t ready to give up on your home button just yet — you should know that the iPad 9th generation will likely be the last iPad with a home button. Instead of pressing the home button to exit and switch between apps, you swipe up on the touchscreen display using your thumb or fingers on Apple's newer iPads.

Apple also did away with the headphone jack on the 10th-generation iPad. This means there isn’t a quick and easy way to plug in a standard wired pair of headphones. Instead, you’ll have to purchase a USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter which costs $9. Of course, you can pair wireless earbuds to the tablet over Bluetooth.

You’re On a Budget

Unfortunately for consumers, the iPad received a 36% price increase over last year’s model — or an extra $120. The newest model starts at $449, and the 9th Generation model frequently goes on sale for between $280 and $300, making it even more tempting.

If you’re planning on investing in accessories for your iPad, such as a Magic Keyboard Folio or the Apple Pencil, you’ll see how fast everything all starts to add up. Things get especially expensive if you need to invest in more storage space for storing more photos, videos, apps, and games. Case in point, a 256 GB 10th Generation iPad starts at $599 or $749 if you need a cellular-connected model compared to the $479 and $609 price points for last year’s model.

During my tests with the 10th Generation iPad, I really loved the new Magic Keyboard, especially since it has a full-function row of keys, which allowed me to tweak the brightness and control media playback quickly and easily. But with a price tag of $249, it's certainly not cheap.

You Don’t Care About Having the Fastest Processor

Apple says the newest iPad has a 20% boost in performance over the ninth-generation model. However, most users won’t be able to tell the difference in performance between the ninth- and 10th-generation iPads in their day-to-day use. I compare gadgets for a living and only could tell that the newer A14 Bionic processor found in the 10th-generation iPad had a slight edge when editing 4K videos on both devices.

If you’re upgrading from an iPad released in 2019 or earlier, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how zippy the newer iPads are. For additional context, the 10th-generation iPad has three times better performance than the seventh-generation iPad.

You’ll be happy to know that both the ninth- and 10th-generation iPad can easily achieve 10 hours of battery life, too.

What About the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini?

The iPad Pro which comes in two different screen sizes and offers more power than most average users require. Having said that, I only recommend it if you’re looking for a true laptop replacement or want a larger-sized screen.

The iPad Air packs a powerful M1 chip (the same one that’s been found in the iPad Pro) and compared to the 10th Generation iPad, it has two more high-performance CPU cores, double the GPU cores, more RAM, and is better at encoding H.264 and HEVC video. It also has a wider P3 color gamut, so colors in photos and videos will be a little richer and more vibrant.

If you just plan on using your iPad for browsing social media apps, watching videos, taking notes, and drafting emails, it’s likely overkill, just like the iPad Pro is for most users. But it may be worth spending extra if you want an improved display or more processing power.

Lastly, the iPad Mini is the tablet to buy if you want the most portable tablet. It has a more compact 8.3-inch display (which also supports the newer 2nd Generation Apple Pencil like the iPad Air and iPad Pro). Keep in mind, you won’t be able to use any of Apple’s Smart Connector keyboards with it — only ones that pair wirelessly over Bluetooth.

Wrap-Up

Apple has always been about simplicity, but as product lines keep expanding, naming schemes get confusing and complicated. Without an ounce of doubt, the 10th Generation iPad is better than any Android tablet on the market, but when you compare it to the four other existing iPads Apple sells, it’s hard to recommend, given its price point.

Most people will be extremely happy with the $329 ninth-generation iPad. That one frequently goes on sale — making an even stronger case for it even despite the fact that it has a slightly outdated design than the 10th-generation iPad.

The ninth-generation iPad still packs a zippy processor, a long-lasting battery, and good-enough cameras, and it has a headphone jack. For buyers who want a tablet to get some serious work done and edit high-resolution videos and photos, I recommend opting for the iPad Air, which will last you many years thanks to its excellent design and more powerful and futureproof processor.