As the Let Loose event wrapped up on Tuesday, Tim Cook made one final announcement before the stream ended: the 10th generation iPad now starts at £349/$349, an impressive price drop of £100/100 $. What he didn’t say is that this move also means the 9th generation iPad is gone.
Apple hasn’t updated the 9th generation iPad since September 2021, so it’s not a huge surprise to see it disappear. It still had Apple’s old iPad design with a Home button and Lightning port, tapered edges and an A13 Bionic chip, with a starting price of £319/$329. It was definitely showing its age and, short of putting it up for sale, it wasn’t the bargain it once was.
It was rumored that the 9th generation iPad could get an update later this year with a new processor, USB-C port, and updated design, but it looks like those predictions won’t come true. Instead, Apple will push entry-level buyers towards the 10th generation model, which is clearly a superior machine.
For an extra £30/$20 you get a much better iPad with a Liquid Retina display, USB-C support, a newer A14 processor and more color options. We struggled to recommend it at its original price of £449/$449, but with such a significant price drop it’s fantastic value for money. Still, it’s sad to see the last reminder of the original iPad leave this world unceremoniously.
The 9th generation model is no longer available on Apple’s website. However, some third-party retailers may still have stock if you’re desperate to get your hands on one before it disappears into the ether.
This article was originally written for Macworld and was syndicated and localized for Tech Advisor. You can read the original piece here.
