During tuesday ‘California Streaming’ event, Apple announced the 9th-generation iPad, a direct successor to 2020 8th Gen iPad.
Apple’s entry-level iPad has always pleased a crowd thanks to its (relatively) affordable price, especially for education customers.
Let’s take a look at the differences between the two tablets …
Colors
This year’s iPad 9 is only available in Silver and Space Gray, while last year’s iPad 8 also offered a Gold option in addition to the two.
Price
the IPad 2021 starts at $ 429 CAD for the base model (Wi-Fi only, 64GB). Apple iPad 8 2020 costs the same at launch.
Current pricing for the 8th-gen iPad is not available – the model was discontinued following this year’s model announcement, heralded by the predecessor’s dwindling stocks ahead of Tuesday’s event.
Screen and cameras
While both the iPad 9 2021 and iPad 8 2020 feature a 10.2 ″ Retina display, this year’s model adds True Tone to its arsenal. Both iPads offer the same resolution, pixel density, and maximum brightness, but the iPad 2021 also comes with sRGB support.
The main cameras on both iPads are pretty much the same, with similar video recording capabilities. IPad 2021 has the option to record 1080p videos at 30 or 25fps, although that’s not a major improvement by any means.
The front camera is where the iPad 2021 improves the most, ditching its predecessor’s FaceTime HD camera for a completely new Ultra Wide camera capable of capturing 12 MP photos instead of just 1.2 MP.
The new front camera comes with 2x zoom, ‘Center Stage’ and extended dynamic range for video up to 30fps. The iPad 2021 can record HD 1080P video at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, while last year’s model is only capable of recording HD 720P video.
CPU
The new iPad 9 has a Bionic A13 CPU, the same one that powers the iPhone 11 line, underhood. The iPad 8 has a one year older A12 Bionic chip. Both chips have been designed with a desktop architecture and both include dedicated neural engines.
IT IS
Both iPads come with support for Lightning connectors, as well as Apple Smart Connectors.
touch ID
Both the iPad 9 2021 and the iPad 8 2020 have Touch ID sensors built into their home buttons. If you want Touch ID built into the power button, you will need the new iPad mini or an iPad Air.
Apple Pencil compatibility
Both iPads are compatible with Apple Pencils, but only the first generation and above. Both devices are also compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard.
Networking and battery life
Connectivity depends on which variant of each iPad you buy, but the connectivity options on both models are identical. As long as you go for the cellular variant of any iPad, both devices are compatible with Nano-SIM and eSIM, along with Apple SIM (where available).
Battery life on both models is pretty much the same as well, both managing 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi and 9 hours of web browsing on a cellular network.
Dimensions
Both iPads have the same height, width and depth measurements, but the Wi-Fi-only version of this year’s model is 3 grams lighter than its predecessor, and the Wi-Fi + Cellular version of the 2021 iPad weighs 3 grams. plus.
Design
Inspiration for iPad 2021 comes from the current iPad Air. The iPad 2020, on the other hand, was the product of linear updates to the iPad design. So this year’s ninth-generation iPad has a fresh look compared to the old one.
Capacity
The 2020 iPad was released in 32GB and 128GB variants, while this year’s iPad drops the 32GB variant in favor of a 64GB variant and the 128GB variant for a 256GB variant. Double your storage at the same price. If you download a lot of games or multimedia, having more storage is key.
IPad 2021 vs iPad 2020: Which one should you buy?
If that’s a question you find yourself asking after At Apple’s ‘California Streaming’ live event, you may have to buy the iPad 9, simply because the 2020 iPad is no longer available (officially at least).
However, if you are moving from an older iPad, you have a lot to gain from the upgrade. The iPad 2021 has a fresh new design, as well as higher capacity versions and a new front snapper, all for the same price as its predecessor launched last year.
Click here to learn more about the iPad 2021 at Apple.ca. Pre-orders for the 9th-generation iPad launched shortly after its introduction, with an official launch scheduled for next week on Friday, September 24.