As the Let Loose event wound down Tuesday, Tim Cook had one last announcement before the stream ended: the 10th-gen iPad now starts at £349/$349, an impressive £100/$100 price drop. What he didn’t say is the move also means the 9th-gen iPad is gone.
Apple hasn’t updated the 9th-gen iPad since September 2021, so it’s not a huge surprise to see it go away. It still had Apple’s old iPad design with a Home button and Lightning port, tapered edges, and A13 Bionic chip, with a starting price of £319/$329. It was definitely showing its age and unless you got it on sale, wasn’t the great bargain it once was.
It was rumoured that the 9th-gen iPad could get an update later this year with a new processor, USB-C port, and updated design, but it appears those predictions won’t come to pass. Instead, Apple will push entry-level buyers to the 10th-gen model, which is clearly a superior machine.
For an extra £30/$20, you’re getting a far better iPad with a Liquid Retina display, USB-C support, newer A14 processor, and more colour options. We struggled to recommend it at its original £449/$449 price, but with a price drop this big, it’s fantastic value. Still, it’s sad to see the last callback to the original iPad leave this world so unceremoniously.
The 9th-gen 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 fades into the ether.
This article was originally written for Macworld, and has been syndicated and localised for Tech Advisor. You can read the original piece here.
