Apple iPad 2021 review: still the best tablet for most people. iPad 2021 64gb
Apple iPad 2021 review: still the best tablet for most people
Apple’s updated low-end iPad looks set to continue its dominance of the market with newer chips, twice the storage and a brilliant new video-calling camera.
The 10.2in iPad costs £319 (329/A499) – £300 for students – making it Apple’s best-value tablet, sitting below the £479 iPad mini and £579 iPad Air.
Unlike most of its tablet models, Apple has taken to updating the internal components of the standard iPad once a year while keeping its cost and design the same, ensuring its long line of accessories such as keyboards, cases and pens remain compatible.
As such the experience of using the 2021 iPad is the same as the 2020 iPad, but with the updated iPadOS 15 and a few new additions that keep it firmly in pole position.
Faster chip, double the storage but same battery life
The iPad now has Apple’s A13 Bionic processor from 2019’s iPhone 11. It’s not Apple’s newest chip but it is considerably more powerful than most lower-cost rivals and easily able to handle anything you can do with an iPad. The tablet now comes with twice the minimum of storage compared with the previous version, at 64GB, which will be enough for those who mainly stream content rather download vast movie libraries.
Centre Stage camera and better screen
The new 12-megapixel wide-angle “Centre Stage” camera removes some of the annoyance of video calls by automatically panning and zooming to keep you and friends in frame without having to think about it. It also has much better low-light performance, meaning everyone gets a better, easier view, which will be particularly useful for remote education.
The screen has had a minor but welcome upgrade with the addition of Apple’s “true tone” technology, which keeps colours looking true to life adjusting to ambient light. The display is otherwise still crisp and bright and significantly better than many cheaper rivals.
Sustainability
Apple does not give a rated lifecycle for the iPad battery, typically 500 full-charge cycles in similar devices, but it can be replaced for £99. The tablet is generally repairable, with an out-of-warranty service costing £246.44, which includes the screen.
The iPad uses 100% recycled aluminium in its case, 100% recycled tin in the solder of its main board, more than 65% recycled rare earth elements and at least 60% recycled plastic in multiple other components. Apple breaks down the tablet’s environmental impact in its report.
Apple also offers trade-in and free recycling schemes, including for non-Apple products.
Observations
- The iPad only has wifi5 and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, not wifi6 and Bluetooth 5 that has been available on most new devices for the last few years.
- The rear 8MP camera is slightly improved, but still miles off a good smartphone camera.
Price
The iPad (9th generation) costs £319 (329/A499) with 64GB of storage or £459 (479/A729) with 256GB. 4G-capable models cost £120 (130/A200) more.
For comparison, the iPad mini costs £479, the iPad Air costs £579 and the iPad Pro costs from £749, Amazon’s Fire HD 8 costs £90, the Fire HD 10 costs £150 and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 costs £519.
Verdict
The 10.2in iPad is still the best tablet for most people offering an unbeatable combination of value, performance, software and longevity.
It’s not flash and it has some older technology, such as the lightning cable and wifi5, but its old design means accessories made for many previous models still fit. Doubling the storage to 64GB is welcome, the faster chip and better display too, but it is the Centre Stage auto-tracking video call camera that is a biggest upgrade and will be particularly useful.
Pros: great performance, good battery life, good screen, iPadOS, plenty of apps, good speakers, very long support, recycled aluminium, Centre Stage camera.
Cons: older design, no USB-C, fairly slow charging, no multi-user support, more expensive than budget rivals.
Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB)
Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) price in India starts from ₹28,990. It is available at lowest price on Croma in India as on May 28, 2023. Take a look at Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) detailed specifications and features.
| Display | 10.2 inches, 2160 x 1620 pixels |
| CPU | 2.65 GHz, Hexa Core Processor |
| Battery | Li-Po Battery |
| Rear Camera | 8 MP f/2.4 (Main) with autofocus |
| OS | iOS v15 |
Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) price in India is ₹28,990. You can buy Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) online on Croma at lowest price. Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) was last updated on May 28, 2023
Similar Products
Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 2021 Tablet (Wi-Fi64GB) Prices
User Reviews
Simply awesome
Camera: Front cam is good back cam is ok. 2. Battery: It is quite decent and is ok for me, lasts a day under heavy usage. 3. Screen: Very Good display. 4. Sound: Decent sound. I foud it ok for watching online media. 5. Charging time: Within 2-3 hours, full charge.
Discuss
not disclosed by the brand.
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Apple iPad 9th gen review: The safest iPad bet makes more sense than ever
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Apple iPad (9th gen, 2021)
Like
- Better A13 processor
- storage (64/256GB)
- Center Stage camera zooms in video chats
- Works with older keyboard cases
- Headphone jack
Don’t like
All of Apple’s new iPads have relatively fresh designs … except for the basic iPad. While the new iPad Mini just got a total makeover, the ninth-gen non-Pro, non-Mini, non-Air iPad still has that big old circular home button. And it still has big bezels around the screen. There’s no USB-C. No Magic Keyboard or newer Pencil support. But I’m OK with that, and you might be, too.
I’m writing this review on the new ninth-gen iPad. I’m able to do this because the iPad allows connections to keyboard cases, like the Apple Smart keyboard cover I’m using to write this. It’s not as good as the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and Air, but it’s good enough (and costs less). And good enough is exactly what the ninth-gen iPad is: In fact, compared with all other iPads right now, it covers all the bases best. Let me explain.
iPads are secondary devices for most people. Maybe even tertiary devices. After phones and laptops, of course. But they’re also pretty essential and useful for a lot of people. Families, kids. That’s why budget factors heavily into iPad purchases. In that regard, the basic iPad (still called “iPad” on the box) should be your default pick. That’s how I felt last year (see my eighth-gen iPad review ), and it’s how I feel now, too. It’s inexpensive but versatile: This iPad works with the Apple Pencil for sketching (although it’s the first-gen Pencil) and with keyboard cases (although not the Magic Keyboard), and has a big enough screen to feel laptoplike (unlike the Mini, which is lovely but expensive and for me, too small). And there’s more storage, which helps.
The lowest-priced iPad has always been a trickle-down device, gradually getting upgrades other iPads got years ago. The same is true here: a new A13 processor, a zooming-in Center Stage camera that the iPad Pro got this spring and True Tone on the display for ambient color temperature adjustments. This iPad may get a redesign next year (or later), but for now it’s the safest iPad purchase.
Design: The same
It looks exactly the same as last year. It has that old circle Touch ID button. It still uses Lightning, not USB-C. And, you know what? It’s fine. It works with last year’s iPad cases. And it’s the last iPad on Earth that has a real headphone jack. And its starting price is the same. But Apple’s bumped the storage up, finally, with 64GB on the 329 (£319, AU499) version.- you could survive with that, just about.- and 256GB on the 479 version, which I’d recommend without a doubt if you’re planning to download any movies for travel, or any content-making apps.
iPad Mini 2021 and 9th-gen iPad, compared
If you didn’t have any big emotions about last year’s iPad, this year’s basic model won’t wow. It would be nice to have less bezel, switch away from Lightning and also, to have stereo speakers. (Sound only comes out of one side of the iPad in landscape mode, like always, but the fancier iPads fix that. Answer: Deal with it or use headphones.)
Pencil support is fine, but that older Pencil has nowhere to go unless you buy a case that has a loop to hold it (those do exist, like Logitech’s keyboard folios ). And the front-facing camera is still stuck on the side in landscape mode, which is how you’ll have it set up for laptop-style use.
Center Stage: Zooming-in FaceTime and Zoom calls
You’ll notice that when you launch video chat on the new iPad, it’ll start zooming in on your face. That’s Center Stage. a feature that leans on the wider-angle iPad front-facing camera to zoom in during calls.
In general, Center Stage is a useful tweak to the video chat experience, especially from a distance with families. Like a Portal and a few other devices, it’ll follow you around. The autotracking works smoothly, almost like a panning camera. But on a few FaceTime calls, using a prerelease iPad, I found stutters. (Maybe a software update will fix that). It works with Zoom, and whatever video chat apps want to support it (it’s openly available for any video chat app to incorporate).
Center Stage can be turned off by swiping down from the Control Center and toggling it with the Video Effects button, and some video recording apps like Filmic Pro use it. But Apple’s built-in Camera app doesn’t take advantage of it, oddly.
One note: On my review iPad I found a few times that Center Stage made FaceTime calls seem to stutter. It might be something Apple needs to address in an iPadOS update.
Performance: than good enough
The added A13 processor upgrade makes it fast enough for most needs and then some. On benchmark tests, it’s about as fast an iPhone 11 (no surprise, since it has the same processor). It’s fine for multitasking, gaming and video and doesn’t seem to lag.
And its front camera is notably better: crisper for video calls, with a digital-zoom face-following Center Stage mode that works with Zoom, FaceTime and other apps, making it a better family video-chat screen from a distance. They’re not amazing cameras, but they’re suitable, and better than on most laptops. The front camera went from a 1.2 megapixels to a 122-degree wide-angle 12 megapixels, which makes a real difference, and also lets that camera zoom in using Center Stage without losing effective resolution.
Battery life feels largely the same in daily use so far: Apple keeps leaning on the “10 hours of battery” promise as always, and I find that iPads generally last a whole day of normal use.
Boring, but recommended
Seriously: The iPad Mini costs more, lacks the same keyboard support and is probably too small. Last year’s iPad Air is good but lacks Center Stage (but if it’s on sale, it may be worth snapping up). And the iPad Pro is great but it’s expensive.
For 2021, I think the basic unexciting iPad wins out. Especially for the price, which usually hits 300 for holiday season sales. But other sales could change that metric fast. The iPad Air is better, and last year’s eighth-gen iPad is perfectly fine still, too.- if that’s on sale for a steep discount, it’s worth considering. If you already have last year’s iPad there’s no need to upgrade. But if you’ve been waiting a few years and need one soon for the kids or family, here’s your choice.
Apple’s latest iPad is the model from this year’s new crop that will suit most people
TechRadar Verdict
The iPad 10.2 (2021) is this year’s best-value tablet from Apple. It’s faster than its predecessor, it’s easy to use and it features an upgraded selfie camera that makes video calling smoother than ever before. Other upgrades are incremental, such as the inclusion of True Tone technology that adjusts the display to suit your surroundings, but for those who want an affordable tablet and don’t need the most up-to-date technology, it’s a worthwhile purchase.
Cons
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Two-minute review
On the face of it, Apple’s latest iPad doesn’t look as though it offers much of an upgrade over the Apple iPad (2020). It’s got the same thick top and bottom bezels and uses Touch ID rather than Apple’s Face ID unlock, but for those who want some of the features of Apple’s more expensive tablets without those slates’ price tags, it represents excellent value for money.
The new iPad can be used with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard (sold separately) for those times when you need a more laptop-style experience, and it comes running iPadOS 15, the latest version of Apple’s dedicated tablet OS, with its host of multitasking features, not to mention access to the thousands of apps and games found in the App Store. And it does all this for considerably less than both the new iPad mini 5, Apple’s most compact slate, and the Apple iPad Air 4, the middle child of the iPad range.
It may get even cheaper soon though, as a new iPad 2022 is expected to land before long. Possibly on September 7 when the iPhone 14 is thought to be launching, or possibly a bit later in October, but soon. So you may want to wait for that slate and either buy the new one instead, or get this model at a reduced price.
Under the hood here, there are some upgrades that make the iPad (9th generation) feel like a step up from the iPad 8, even if it’s a small step. You can choose from 64GB or 256GB variants, which is double the 32GB and 128GB capacities the previous model offered. The chipset has been upgraded too, to Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, which Apple claims is 20% faster than the A12 Bionic.
The 10.2-inch screen gets the True Tone technology found on every other iPad in the range, which automatically adjusts the colors and brightness to suit the ambient light to ensure the display is clear and easy to see, no matter where you’re using the iPad.
In a nod to the unprecedented times we’ve all recently experienced, and the attendant Zoom boom, the front-facing selfie camera has been boosted to 12MP. It also features the handy Center Stage feature, which debuted on the iPad Pro (2021), which pans and zooms the camera automatically to ensure that you’re always in frame during video calls.
The new iPad has the same 10-hour battery life as its predecessor, and there’s a 20W fast charger in the box, which when used with the bundled USB-C-to-Lightning cable ensures it’s quick to juice up the slate. iPadOS 15 adds to the slick experience, bringing features including easier-to-use multitasking features, along with the ability to place widgets anywhere on the screen.
However, the new iPad 10.2 (2021) isn’t perfect. As well as not offering Face ID, it lacks the recalibrating speakers found on Apple’s other tablets, while those looking for a laptop-style experience that includes the trackpad and clickable keys of the Apple Magic Keyboard will have to look to the more expensive iPad Air, as the iPad 10.2 (2021) only works with first-generation accessories.
With starting from 329 / £319 / AU499, the new iPad 10.2 is one of the best cheap tablets and is best suited to anyone purchasing their first iPad, or looking to replace an older iPad that isn’t compatible with iPadOS 15.
Apple iPad (2021) price and availability
Weight: 487/498g Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm Display size: 10.2-inch Resolution: 1620 x 2160 Chipset: A13 Bionic RAM: 3GB Storage: 64/256GB Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 12MP Pre-installed software: iPadOS 15
The Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) will go on sale on September 24. It’s available for pre-order now, and we expect to see other retailers offering it soon.
The Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) price starts at 329 / £319 / AU499 for the Wi-Fi only model with 64GB of storage, while for 256GB of storage the price goes up to 479 / £459 / AU729.
If you want LTE connectivity as well, so that you can connect to the internet when there’s no Wi-Fi to hand, the 64GB model is 459 / £439 / AU699 and the 256GB model costs 609 / £579 / AU929.
For comparison, the cheapest iPad 10.2 (2020) was priced at 329 / £329 / AU499 when it launched in September 2020, but it only came with 32GB of storage. The iPad 10.2 (2021) is £10 cheaper in the UK than the iPad 10.2 (2020) was at launch, while it’s the same price in the US and Australia.
iPad 10.2 design
On the outside, the new iPad 10.2 looks identical to the iPad 10.2 (2020). It measures 25.06 x 17.41 x 0.75cm, and has the same 10.2-inch screen as last year’s model, with the thicker top and bottom bezel; the former houses the 12MP front-facing camera, while the latter features the home button with built-in Touch ID sensor.
While the design looks slightly dated compared to the rest of the iPad lineup, it still feels like a sturdy bit of kit, which considering the price point is no mean feat. There’s no Face ID either, so you’re reliant on Touch ID, and we found the fingerprint scanner was quick to register our fingerprint and unlock the tablet.
Weighing in at 187g, the Wi-Fi-only model is 3g lighter than last year’s iPad 10.2, while the Wi-Fi LTE version 3g heavier than its predecessor at 498g. It comes in just two colors: silver and gray – so if you’re after the gold hue that was an option for the iPad 10.2 (2020) you’re out of luck, and for a bolder look you’ll need to look to the iPad mini (2021), which offers pink and purple tones, alongside grey and gold colorways.
The iPad 10.2 (2020) is also the only iPad that still features a Lightning connector, rather than a USB-C port. This can be found on the bottom of the iPad, along with two speakers; however, while the two speakers on the iPad mini will recalibrate so that the sound suits the orientation of the tablet, the iPad 10.2’s speakers can’t do this, meaning the audio isn’t as impressive, although it will do the job.
The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st generation), and we found that note-taking and sketching on the slate was a breeze. To charge the Pencil you need to either plug it into the tablet’s Lightning port or use the bundled adapter with a Lightning cable, whereas the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) offers fuss-free magnetic charging from the tablet.
The iPad 10.2 will also work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, enabling you to use it more like a laptop, and while the accessory lacks the clickable keys and the trackpad found on the Magic Keyboard, if you want an easier typing experience it more than does the job.
iPad 10.2 display
As its name tells you, the iPad 10.2 (2021) has a 10.2-inch screen. Apple first increased the size of the display on its entry-level iPad in 2019, and the extra half-inch of screen real estate has become the norm for Apple’s most affordable tablet.
The screen has a resolution of 2160 x 1620 and a brightness of 500 nits, which is the same as its predecessor. While there’s no sign here of Apple’s Liquid Retina display tech, which offers brighter colors and an anti-reflective coating, the iPad 10.2 (2021) does come with the company’s True Tone feature – it’s the first time Apple has included this on its cheapest tablet.
This automatically adjusts the display to suit the ambient lighting of your surroundings so that it’s easier to see – when using the iPad outdoors in the daytime the screen automatically becomes brighter, for example – and during our testing we found this to be a welcome upgrade.
The refresh rate remains 60Hz, where the latest iPad Pro has been upgraded to a 120Hz display, which means the on-screen image refreshes faster for a smoother look and feel. However, if you’re after an affordable iPad, or you don’t spend hours scrolling through social media feeds, it’s not a feature you’re likely to miss.
iPad 10.2 specs, performance, and camera
Apple has given the iPad 10.2 a new chipset in the form of the A13 Bionic processor, which debuted in 2019 in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. While it’s not the brand’s latest processor – that’s the A15 Bionic, which can be found in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro – it’s certainly a solid upgrade over the A12 Bionic in the iPad 10.2 (2020).
In real-world use, the latest iPad is slightly snappier in operation – Apple claims it’s 20% faster than the previous model, although it’s not as speedy as the iPad Air 4, which touts the new A14 Bionic chipset, nor can it touch the iPad Pro (2021) and its M1 chipset in terms of speed.
That said, during testing apps were quick to load, we were able to multi-task easily, and we didn’t experience any lag. It’s thought the new iPad also has 3GB of RAM, although Apple has yet to officially confirm that.
As we’ve mentioned, both models of the iPad 10.2 (2021) have double the storage space of last year’s equivelents- you can choose from either 64GB or 256GB models. Although, as with all iPads, there’s no support for a micro SD card, so you can’t expand the storage space at a later date.
We’d recommend the 256GB model if you’re planning to download a lot of apps, or you take lots of photos and videos. If you want even more storage space you’ll need to look to the iPad Pro range, which comes in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants.
iPad 2021 Vs iPad 2022 Review of Specs!
The pandemic has led to a surge in the numbers of people using video calls, and Apple has acknowledged this by upgrading the front-facing selfie camera for the first time in several years. The tablet now boasts a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and the recipients of the FaceTime calls we made during our testing said the image from this camera looked clear and detailed.
The iPad 10.2 also benefits from Center Stage, a feature that was introduced on the iPad Pro (2021), and which pans and zooms the camera automatically to ensure that you’re always in the center of the frame during video calls. It’s similar to a feature found on the Amazon Echo Show 10, and we were impressed at how well it works and the smoothness of the camera movements.
On the rear of the new iPad 10.2, Apple has retained the 8MP rear shooter with f/2.4 aperture, which makes sense as the rear camera is never going to be the big draw for a tablet. During our time with the tablet, we found the pictures we snapped were sharp and clear, with strong colors. We weren’t blown away by the quality, and images certainly aren’t a match for those taken on any recent iPhone; but if you need a camera to hand for productivity applications or other instances where image quality isn’t absolutely crucial, the iPad 10.2’s will more than suffice.
iPad 10.2 software
Like the iPad mini (2021), the iPad 10.2 (2021) arrives running iPadOS 15, Apple’s dedicated tablet version of iOS. As well as offering many of the features found in iOS 15, it’s designed to make the most of the tablet’s form factor, and as such, it brings refinements to multitasking.
The facility to use two apps at the same time, and manually control how much of the screen each takes up, was introduced in iPadOS 14, but the feature is now easier to use thanks to the new Multitasking menu that appears at the top of any app.
Previously, when creating a split screen setup, the second app had to be on the home page, or in the app dock at the bottom of the screen, in order for it to be added, but thanks to the addition of the App Library, which was previously only available in iOS14, all your apps are accessible from the dock, meaning any of them can be used to multitask.
Other features include the ability to move widgets around the screen – previously these were locked to a panel on the left-hand side of the home screen – and improvements to the Notes app.
We found that iPadOS 15 offers a slick experience on the new iPad 10.2 – this is Apple’s best yet, and it outshines Android tablet software.
iPad 10.2 battery life
The new iPad (2021) will last for up to 10 hours between charges according to Apple. During testing, we found this to be the case, with the slate good for around 10 hours of video playback before it needed recharging. While this isn’t an improvement on the previous iteration, it is among the longest-lasting tablets we’ve tested.
It took just under three hours to fully recharge the iPad using the 20W fast charger that’s included in the box; you won’t find wireless charging on any of the iPad range, as the feature isn’t commonplace on tablets yet.
Buy if it.
You want an iPad on a budget Apple’s entry-level iPad is simple to use and offers excellent value for money. If you’re on a budget, or you’re looking to replace an older iPad that doesn’t support iPadOS 15, and don’t need Apple’s top tablet features, this is the one to get.
You make a lot of video calls With an improved front-facing camera and the handy Center Stage feature that ensures you’re always in the frame, the new iPad makes video calling an enjoyable experience. If you regularly use your tablet for staying in touch, the iPad 10.2 (2021) is a great choice.
You often use your tablet outdoors This is the first time the entry-level iPad has come with True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the display based on the ambient lighting for the best viewing experience.
iPad 10.2 (9th Gen) Review. JUST BUY IT!
Don’t buy it if.
You already have the iPad 10.2 (2020) The improved selfie camera and True Tone display aren’t reason enough to upgrade if you already own last year’s model – you’ll be able to get iPadOS 15 on your current tablet, and other than the additional storage, there’s not much else that’s new here.
You want an iPad for sketching The iPad 10.2 (2021) is compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st generation); however, if you want to be able to sketch and draw on your tablet, the improved screen of the iPad Air (4th generation), and that tablet’s support for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which is easier to charge and store and has a customizable control button, make it a much better choice.
You want better audio This iPad has two speakers that are perfectly functional, but if you crave better audio consider the iPad Mini or the iPad Air, depending upon your budget, as they offer speakers that automatically calibrate based on the orientation of the slate for a better experience when gaming or watching movies.
Also consider
If you’ve read this iPad Air 10.2 (2021) review and still don’t know what to buy, here are a few alternatives you might want to consider.
iPad Air 5 (2022) If you want a higher-end iPad than the entry-level 10.2, Apple’s latest iPad Air might be for you. it’s big, has loads of processing power and works with a newer Apple Pencil. Check out our iPad Air 5 (2022) review
Amazon Fire HD 10 If you just want a tablet for streaming movies, TV or games, then you don’t need an iPad. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is basically the same size and costs a lot less. Check out our Amazon Fire HD 10 review
iPad Mini 6 (2021) If you want a tablet that’s similar to the iPad 10.2 but isn’t as big, the iPad Mini 6 is jsut what you need. it also has a more premium design. Check out our iPad Mini 6 (2021) review
First reviewed: September 2021
