iPad Is the 'new' 9th Gen iPad really a worthy upgrade from the 2020 model

[iRock1]

• The design is exactly the same
• The display is exactly the same
• The back camera is exactly the same
• The battery is exactly the same
• The speakers are exactly the same
• The Lightning connection... The same
• Also the same 3 GB of RAM

The only new things I see are the increased base storage, the jump from A12 to A13 (which, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to be really marginal in terms of performance), and what I find to be the only noticeable improvement: the ultra-wide 12 MP front-facing camera with Center Stage support.

Am I missing something? Is that all?

In that case, and currently having a 32 GB cellular 1st gen iPad Air, I could perhaps replace it for a base WiFi 2020 model if they go down in price after the 9th Gen is in stock.

 

[fwmireault]

Yeah it’s an incremental upgrade, but that’s what the base ipad is about. Year on year upgrade for this device doesn’t make sense, it’s all about giving people an affordable iPad with a somewhat recent chip

 

[Howard2k]

Totally subjective. If you're the type that has to have the newest each year then yes, you need to upgrade. If you're not the type and the 2020 is working for you then no, it's probably not a worthy upgrade. Only you can determine whether it's worthwhile for you or not.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I don’t think Gen 8 to a Gen 9 is a meaningful differential to purposefully upgrade (unless you just want to do it anyway). Center Stage is probably the only ‘key’ difference but how important is Center Stage to anyone?

Gen 6 to a Gen 9 is more a slam-drunk upgrade. A10 2GB 32GB 1.2MP/8MP to A13 3GB 64GB 12MP/8MP. Faster CPU, more RAM, more storage, better front camera.

Gen 7? Maybe. It still has that old A10, albeit with 3GB RAM.

 

[BeatCrazy]

In that case, and currently having a 32 GB cellular 1st gen iPad Air, I could perhaps replace it for a base WiFi 2020 model if they go down in price after the 9th Gen is in stock.

The 2021 is already down to $299. I can't imagine the 2020 going much lower. Even at $~40 or so lower, you'd probably be better off with that 64GB.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I can’t believe this thing still doesn’t have a laminated screen

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I can’t believe this thing still doesn’t have a laminated screen

It’s because Apple has a lock on the education market and those non-laminated cover screens do not cost much to replace. Education institutions are sensitive to maintenance and insurance costs and kids will break those screens. Laminated panels are much more expensive to replace.

 

[Falhófnir]

The thing that maybe stings a bit this time round is Apple going lavish on the RAM for the Pros but keeping things quite anaemic on the base and Air/ mini models. I'd argue the A12 with 4GB would probably be more use over the life of this device than the A13 with 3GB, and it probably wouldn't hurt to make the Air and mini 6GB now. Yes it's the entry model, but multitasking is a thing Apple is pushing at all levels of the iPad experience.

For OP's particular use case, it sounds like you keep your devices a long time if you still have an OG Air, and just on that it might make the new model worth it in the long run (an extra year of OS/ app support).

 

[turbineseaplane]

The thing that maybe stings a bit this time round is Apple going lavish on the RAM for the Pros but keeping things quite anaemic on the base and Air/ mini models. I'd argue the A12 with 4GB would probably be more use over the life of this device than the A13 with 3GB, and it probably wouldn't hurt to make the Air and mini 6GB now. Yes it's the entry model, but multitasking is a thing Apple is pushing at all levels of the iPad experience.

For OP's particular use case, it sounds like you keep your devices a long time if you still have an OG Air, and just on that it might make the new model worth it in the long run (an extra year of OS/ app support).

I completely agree about the ram. I really wish they were focusing on that and not just spec bumping to a newer a series chip.

I can’t imagine anybody using this device would ever figure out whether it has an A10, A12 or A13 in it

RAM however can really show itself as the device ages and multitasking is used.

 

[Neil.gtis]

Hi
I have a iPad mini generation 4
And I am thinking about get a
iPad generation 8 or 9
I think I will be getting a significant upgrade
Neil

 

[kiranmk2]

It's perfect for my older relatives. My Mum is still rocking her 64 GB Air 2 but has started to notice a bit of lag in opening apps. I was considering getting her a 2nd hand 2018 iPad Pro which are down to about £350 now. However, the new 9th generation has a faster single core chip and center stage is very useful for people that still haven't learnt to centre their face in the camera (I normally start Facetime calls to her talking to the top of her head).

 

[ataq]

I would say there is no real reason for the most people. I ordered one right away for my parents. Here is why:
My parents are deaf. I bought my parents the 8th generation after FaceTime wasn't working anymore on their iPad 2. Only Apple knows why...
FaceTime is their "only" use case for the iPad, no browsing, checking weather or whatsoever.
So for my parents, the new 9th gen is a no brainer to upgrade too, just because of one simple reason: 12 mp FaceTime camera compared to the 1,2(!) mp camera on the 8th gen.
And there is Center Stage. A game changer for the whole family, as my mum lost an eye, has bad vision in general and moves her head way to one side of the screen so we can't really see her... We have to tell her to move her head either to the left or right to see her whole face, on every call.
This new iPad is a whole new user experience to all family members talking to them.
I'm describing an edge case as you can see. Just wanted to give you a perspective on things. For everyone it's a different story.

 

[rui no onna]

I would say there is no real reason for the most people. I ordered one right away for my parents. Here is why:
My parents are deaf. I bought my parents the 8th generation after FaceTime wasn't working anymore on their iPad 2. Only Apple knows why...
FaceTime is their "only" use case for the iPad, no browsing, checking weather or whatsoever.
So for my parents, the new 9th gen is a no brainer to upgrade too, just because of one simple reason: 12 mp FaceTime camera compared to the 1,2(!) mp camera on the 8th gen.
And there is Center Stage. A game changer for the whole family, as my mum lost an eye, has bad vision in general and moves her head way to one side of the screen so we can't really see her... We have to tell her to move her head either to the left or right to see her whole face, on every call.
This new iPad is a whole new user experience to all family members talking to them.
I'm describing an edge case as you can see. Just wanted to give you a perspective on things. For everyone it's a different story.

That specific scenario might be an edge case but with lots of people using video conferencing much more nowadays, that 12MP camera is probably very handy.

I was actually considering getting my mom an iPad Pro 11 as an upgrade to her Pro 9.7 for the front camera. For her though, not having home button/TouchID and headphone jack are issues. Very glad to see Center Stage/12MP trickle down so quickly to the old style base model iPads.

 

[Sensamic]

It's perfect for my older relatives. My Mum is still rocking her 64 GB Air 2 but has started to notice a bit of lag in opening apps. I was considering getting her a 2nd hand 2018 iPad Pro which are down to about £350 now. However, the new 9th generation has a faster single core chip and center stage is very useful for people that still haven't learnt to centre their face in the camera (I normally start Facetime calls to her talking to the top of her head).

It's very interesting, isn it? That the new basic ipad 9 has faster single core performance than the 2018 and 2020 ipad Pro with A12X/Z.

 

[iRock1]

That specific scenario might be an edge case but with lots of people using video conferencing much more nowadays, that 12MP camera is probably very handy.

I was actually considering getting my mom an iPad Pro 11 as an upgrade to her Pro 9.7 for the front camera. For her though, not having home button/TouchID and headphone jack are issues. Very glad to see Center Stage/12MP trickle down so quickly to the old style base model iPads.

Still raging because Apple took away the headphone jack from almost all iPads without needing to. ****

 

[Adelphos33]

I have the 2020 version. I use it a lot as a third screen at the office, and often use it for Zoom/Webex. So for me going to the 9th gen is a huge upgrade due to the new front camera, and I am upgrading. I also maxed out storage and will use this to store pictures, movies, etc.

Otherwise, probably no. The 8th was a critical upgrade to the 7th gen for most because the processor was so much better.

I don’t know what future upgrades will bring, but I feel this one will last for a while until they laminate the screen or get rid of the form factor

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have the 2020 version. I use it a lot as a third screen at the office, and often use it for Zoom/Webex. So for me going to the 9th gen is a huge upgrade due to the new front camera, and I am upgrading. I also maxed out storage and will use this to store pictures, movies, etc.

Otherwise, probably no. The 8th was a critical upgrade to the 7th gen for most because the processor was so much better.

I don’t know what future upgrades will bring, but I feel this one will last for a while until they laminate the screen or get rid of the form factor

That's really the key - great post

If you don't plan to make big use of that new front camera, it's almost not an upgrade of any kind whatsoever (that one would notice). I can't believe they still didn't put a laminated screen on these. It makes a big difference.

 

[Crow_Servo]

I personally think that Center Stage is a great feature. I’ve used it on my wife’s Pro. Works possibly even better than advertised. How many times can you say that about something?

But if you don’t FaceTime or Zoom, it’s not really something that would be exciting.

 

[MhaelK]

I have the 2020 version. I use it a lot as a third screen at the office, and often use it for Zoom/Webex. So for me going to the 9th gen is a huge upgrade due to the new front camera, and I am upgrading. I also maxed out storage and will use this to store pictures, movies, etc.

Otherwise, probably no. The 8th was a critical upgrade to the 7th gen for most because the processor was so much better.

I don’t know what future upgrades will bring, but I feel this one will last for a while until they laminate the screen or get rid of the form factor

I feel the upgraded base storage is the key upgrade this time, and makes the 9th gen so much better value than the 8th gen. While 32GB was way to small and made a lot of people upgrade to the 128gb model. 64gb should just be enough for a lot of people using it as a basic media consumption device. Basically making it a lot cheaper as the base model is now good enough, and upgrading storage has always been way to expensive on any Apple product.

Upgraded CPU/GPU, camera and True Tone is just bonus.

 

[snipr125]

Probably not worth buying the 9th Gen if you already have the 8th Gen Ipad, but in its own right, the Ipad 9 is fantastic value for money in terms of performance and features.

 

[AVE№TURA]

I have a 256GB Ipad 10.5 pro with A10X with 850 single core points in Geekbench vs the 1300 of the new iPad 9th. If my iPad breaks I still gonna try to get a refurbished one from the apple store. When they implement P3 laminated display I will get the base iPad. A13 almost makes me wanna buy it but 3GB ram vs 4GB makes a difference

 

[dz5b609]

• The design is exactly the same
• The display is exactly the same
• The back camera is exactly the same
• The battery is exactly the same
• The speakers are exactly the same
• The Lightning connection... The same
• Also the same 3 GB of RAM

The only new things I see are the increased base storage, the jump from A12 to A13 (which, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to be really marginal in terms of performance), and what I find to be the only noticeable improvement: the ultra-wide 12 MP front-facing camera with Center Stage support.

Am I missing something? Is that all?

In that case, and currently having a 32 GB cellular 1st gen iPad Air, I could perhaps replace it for a base WiFi 2020 model if they go down in price after the 9th Gen is in stock.

iPad's aren't mend to be replaced every year.

 

[scupking]

For $299 it’s an awesome deal. 64gb of storage should be good for most people. I had the 7th gen and the screen looked great to me. Only thing Apple should have done was give it 4gb of ram.

 

[MhaelK]

For $299 it’s an awesome deal. 64gb of storage should be good for most people. I had the 7th gen and the screen looked great to me. Only thing Apple should have done was give it 4gb of ram.

Agree on all.

Honestly, I feel like most people complaining about the screen are doing it as way of them justifying spending much more money on the higher end models. Sure, there is a difference and for some it really does matter. But the screen and specs are great for price, and more than good enough for most people - even if they feel browsing macrumors.com feels a bit snappier and a bit more fluid on the Pro model. As long as iPadOS is the real limitation, the value of the budget iPad is amazing.