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Main characteristics
The price is: $329/£369
Screen size: 10.2 inch
Weight: 1.07 lb (487 g)
Memory: Apple won’t disclose
Battery life: Up to 10 hours of wireless web browsing
Storage: 64GB or 256GB versions
Warranty: 1 year, extendable with AppleCare
Operating system: iPadOS 15 (compatible with iPadOS 16)
Display: 10.2-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2160×1620
CPU: Apple A13 Bionic chip
Graphics: Apple won’t disclose
Ports: Lightning connector
It may have recently been replaced by the 10th generation model, but Apple is still selling 9th generation iPads (aka iPad 2021) by the bucketload. This is mainly due to its very attractive price ($329 and regular discounts), but also because it is the cheapest way to enter the Apple ecosystem and the App Store.
This makes it an ideal tablet for casual tech users looking for something to browse the web, manage their calendars or post on social media, as well as for kids who want to play the latest games on Apple Arcade and beyond.
Of course, there are some drawbacks – the design now feels really dated, and iPadOS is starting to differentiate itself with new features that bypass the A-series processors found here. However, the iPad 2021 does everything its more expensive siblings can do at a fraction of the cost, making it one of the best tablets for budget-conscious students.
iPad 2021 Review: Setup and Usability
Setup, as expected with all Apple devices over the past few years, is delightfully simple. Connect to WiFi, sign in with your AppleID and set up TouchID for security, and you’re away.
There is a handy copy tool to get your data from another device.
iPad 2021 review: Design and specifications
Available in Space Gray or Silver color options, the iPad 2021 looks like a slightly rounded version of the first iPad in many ways. Keeping this familiar, authentic, and old-school design means Apple can keep costs down (and make the tablet cheaper), but it’s not an impressive gadget to review.
The 10.2-inch display is large enough, but it’s limited by large bezels that aren’t found on its siblings in the product line. The top bezel houses a 12MP front-facing camera and there’s also an 8MP camera on the back.
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On one side of the iPad 2021, you’ll find the volume rocker and the sleep/wake button on the top, with the only other button being the round Home button that doubles as the TouchID sensor. And on the “bottom” you’ll find a pair of speaker grilles flanking the Lightning port (more on that in a bit).
While we understand the reason for not drastically changing the design, the familiarity of the iPad 2021 may mean that relative newcomers or the less tech-savvy will find their feet more easily, as they won’t need to use gestures for multitasking. .
iPad 2021 review: Features and performance
Aside from the “classic” design of the iPad 2021, there’s nothing fancy about it. In fact, the A13 Bionic chip may not be the latest or greatest from the company, but it offers impressive performance in apps.
Jump into the app store and you won’t find anything that doesn’t work on the iPad 2021, a talented tablet capable of playing games from Apple Arcade, organizing your day with productivity apps, and everything in between.
In fact, the only enemy of the A13 chip is in its successors, the A14 chip you’ll find in the new 10th generation iPad and the M1. Found in Apple’s iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air lines, this powerful chip will power additional features in the upcoming (at the time of writing) iPadOS 16.
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The features in question are aimed at more users, but it’s difficult to connect to an external display to access more applications, resize windows and facilitate the new “Stage Manager” multitasking display. If you want a more future-proof device, you’ll want to look no further than the 2021 iPad.
Another interesting thing about the iPad 2021 is that it supports the Apple Pencil stylus (opens in new tab) (sold separately), it only supports the older, first generation. This device’s less-sensitive tip, paired with its awkward charging position on the Lightning port, means that if you’re a digital artist or scribe, you’ll want to skip the iPad 2021.
Also worth noting is the Lightning port itself – not only is it slower than the USB-C connections found on other iPads, but it can’t connect many peripherals without an adapter of some sort.
iPad 2021 review: Price
It’s hard to overstate how important the price of the iPad 2021 is to the device. Apple has always tried to keep at least one iPad affordable, and with the powerful Air and Pro models, as well as the smaller Apple iPad Mini at a much higher price point, the iPad 2021 could be the default choice for many people. Priced at $329.
We’ve seen it marked down for under $300, so without breaking the bank, it’s a great entry point for those unfamiliar with iPadOS and Apple devices in general. However, if you’re using it as your primary device, you should consider the 256GB version, as Apple doesn’t offer expandable storage.
iPad 2021 Review: User Reviews
With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars rating (opens in new tab)The 2021 iPad has been highly praised by Amazon customers for its convenience, value for money, and is ideal for graduates like the Amazon Fire 7 Kids. (opens in new tab) tablet.
Many have pointed out how it works well as a standalone device, and is also ideal for iPhone users who want a larger display.
Should you buy an iPad 2021?
If you want an inexpensive tablet, the iPad 2021 is the easiest way to enter the Apple ecosystem. It’s fast, and while its design isn’t the newest, it’s sure to appeal to those who don’t want to learn a lot of different gestures.
We think it’s hard not to recommend it to casual users at this price point, but we recommend that tech enthusiasts check out the iPad Air M1 if they’re looking for a long-lasting tablet.
If this product is not for you
If you want a more modern design, the iPad Air marks an impressive step up from the base iPad. With thinner bezels, a larger display, and USB-C functionality, it adds a powerful M1 chip. Still, it’s a lot more expensive, and aside from the aforementioned M1-specific iPadOS 16 features, it might not be worth the extra money.
Similarly, the iPad Mini offers a great, smaller alternative, but again at a higher price – even though it doesn’t offer the M1 chip, you still have to give up the new features of iPadOS 16.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for another budget tablet option, check out the Amazon Fire HD10 tablet (opens in new tab). It’s affordable (and Amazon often discounts their products around Prime Day and Black Friday), easy to use, and has excellent battery life. The main downside is that you may not be able to access all your favorite apps, limited to the Amazon App Store, but you can still use popular social media apps and streaming services like Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix. (opens in new tab)and Disney+ (opens in new tab).
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