Apple iPad 10.2 (9th gen) vs iPad 10.2 (8th gen): What's the difference?

(Pocket-lint) - Apple revealed the 9th procreation of its modular entry-level iPad connected 14 September, alongside a new iPad mini. While the iPad mini got a plan refresh however, the modular iPad's upgrades were focused connected interior improvements and other features.

If you wondering however the iPad 10.2 (9th gen) compares to the iPad 10.2 (8th gen), you're successful the close place. Here is however their specifications disagree to assistance you determine which to bargain and whether to upgrade. 

What's the same?

• Design
• Rear camera
• Display size
• Battery

The Apple iPad 10.2 (9th gen) features an identical plan to its predecessor and identical measurements, with some featuring the Touch ID fingerprint sensor beneath the display. They some person an aluminium framework and rear, a azygous 8-megapixel rear camera and they some person a 10.2-inch Retina Display with 2160 x 1620 solution for a pixel density of 264ppi.

The 2 tablets besides some diagnostic a Lightning connector for charging, a 10-hour artillery beingness and they are some compatible with the archetypal procreation Apple Pencil. Other elements that stay the aforesaid crossed the 2 generations are a 2 talker audio setup and compatibility with the latest iPadOS 15 software.

What's different?

Despite the 2 devices offering aggregate similarities, it wouldn't beryllium a adjacent procreation if determination weren't a mates of differences. Here is what is antithetic betwixt the iPad 10.2 (2021) and the iPad 10.2 (2020).

Processor

• iPad (9th gen): A13
• iPad (8th gen): A12

The iPad 10.2 (9th gen) runs connected the A13 Bionic spot with Neural Engine, portion the iPad 10.2 (8th gen) runs connected the A12 Bionic spot with Neural Engine truthful the latest exemplary should beryllium faster and much capable.

Front camera

• iPad (9th gen): 12MP Ultra Wide, f/2.4, 2x zoom out, Center Stage
• iPad (8th gen): 1.2MP FaceTime HD, f/2.4

The beforehand camera has been upgraded connected the 2021 modular iPad exemplary to a 12-megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor, which allows for a diagnostic called Center Stage, which was archetypal introduced connected the iPad Pro line. You tin read much astir Center Stage successful our abstracted feature, but during video calls, the iPad's camera volition travel you astir the country if you move. 

The iPad (8th gen) has a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, truthful this is rather a important quality betwixt the models, with the caller exemplary apt to beryllium overmuch amended for video calls.

Display technology

• iPad (9th gen): 10.2-inch Retina, True Tone, sRGB
• iPad (8th gen): 10.2-inch Retina

While the size and solution of the show is the aforesaid betwixt the iPad 10.2 (9th gen) and iPad 10.2 (8th gen), determination are a mates of differences successful the technology. The latest exemplary offers sRGB, arsenic good arsenic Apple's True Tone technology, portion the older exemplary doesn't.

Both displays person a fingerprint-resistant coating though and they some person a 500nits maximum brightness.

Storage options

• iPad (9th gen): 64GB/256GB
• iPad (8th gen): 32GB/128GB

Both the iPad 10.2 (9th gen) and the iPad 10.2 (8th gen) are disposable successful Wi-Fi and Cellular and Wi-Fi lone models, but their retention capacities differ. 

The 9th procreation exemplary comes successful 64GB and 256GB options, portion the 8th procreation comes successful 32GB and 128GB models.

Colours

• iPad (9th gen): Two options
• iPad (8th gen): Three options

The iPad 10.2 (9th gen) lone comes Silver and Space Grey colour options, portion the iPad 10.2 (8th gen) adds a golden option.

Weight

• iPad (9th gen): 487g (Wi-Fi only), 498g (Wi-Fi & Cellular)
• iPad (8th gen): 490g (Wi-Fi only), 495g (Wi-Fi & Cellular)

Despite offering identical measurements astatine 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm, the iPad (9th gen) is lighter than the iPad (8th gen) - oregon the Wi-Fi lone exemplary is. The caller exemplary weighs 487g, portion the older exemplary is 490g.

Conclusion

While the plan and respective elements of the Apple iPad 10.2 (9th gen) and Apple iPad 10.2 (8th gen) stay the same, determination are a fewer cardinal differences that sets them isolated from each other.

Aside from a processor upgrade, which you would expect successful a caller model, the iPad 10.2 (9th gen) besides offers a importantly improved beforehand camera, on with a large diagnostic that comes with that, treble the retention and improvements to the display.

If video calling isn't thing you program connected doing with the iPad, and you don't request excessively overmuch storage, you mightiness find the 8th gen much than capable and astatine a bully price. Otherwise, the 9th procreation exemplary is the 1 you privation from these 2 modular iPad models, if your fund allows.

Writing by Britta O'Boyle. Originally published connected 16 September 2021.