Smart step
iPad (10th gen)
from ~$349
- Bigger 10.9" display
- USB-C
- Landscape camera
- Faster A14
Apple · Tablet · 2021
Upgrading your iPad (9th gen)? The best upgrades right now: iPad (10th gen), iPad Air (M2), iPad Pro (M4). Compare specs, prices, and buy on Amazon in one tap.
Find your upgrade in the interactive 3D finder →| Display | 10.2" LCD |
|---|---|
| Chip | A13 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 10h |
| Camera | 8MP |
from ~$349
from ~$599
from ~$999
Only the specs that actually change are listed — everything else is broadly the same.
| iPad (9th gen) | iPad Air (M2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.2" LCD | 11" LCD |
| Chip | A13 Bionic | M2 |
| Storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Camera | 8MP | 12MP |
Your iPad (9th gen) is 5+ years old, which is past the point where most tablets stop receiving full software and security updates and where battery wear is significant. This is a genuine upgrade case — and the gains below are large enough that you'll notice them daily, not just on a spec sheet.
For most people the iPad Air (M2) is the best balance of price and improvement, starting around $599. The main gains: M2 chip; Apple Pencil Pro; Laminated display; Much faster.
The iPad (10th gen), from about $349. It's the smallest step up that still feels like a real change from a 2021 tablet.
It still works, but at 5+ years you're likely past full software support and well into battery wear. Most owners at this age notice a real difference after upgrading.
Trade-in values move constantly with condition and carrier promotions, so treat any fixed number with suspicion. Check the current offer from Apple, Samsung, or your carrier directly, and compare it against selling privately — private sales usually pay more but take longer.