Powerful. Easy to use. Versatile. The new iPad has a beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display, powerful A13 Bionic chip, an Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, and works with Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.¹ iPad lets you do more, more easily. All for an incredible value.
A: I think you are a little bit confused about the meaning of "unlocked" iPad. To understand this, first we must divide this iPad model into its two sub-models: the ones with Wi-Fi only and the ones with Wi-Fi + Cellular. Now, the Wi-Fi + Cellular models are the only ones that are defined as "unlocked", as it means that it does not have a Cellular Carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.), but you can come into any of these carriers to "activate" your iPad. By doing this, you will have access to the carrier's 4G LTE network, which then allows you to use you iPad with internet connection on places where there is no Wi-Fi available. Essentially, just like a smartphone. And, just as a smartphone, again, you will have to pay a monthly fee for this cellular connection. Depending on the carrier and the plan you choose, the monthly fee charge varies. I would say that you are looking at around $50 a month for an unlimited cellular plan. But let's say you buy this Wi-Fi + Cellular model and do not activate it. Well, you won't have the cellular connection, but you would have GPS which is a hidden feature that this model has. But the price increase is not worth it.
A: There are two variants of iPad, the wifi model, and the LTE model, for most customers the wifi is sufficient because you're using it at home. If you plan to use your iPad out and about, the LTE model would be the way to go.
A: I believe that a Best Buy employee can help you with that at the front desk without any fee. I would recommend that you have your Apple ID and password ready because you are most likely to use it for a backup which will then will be transferred to the new device.
Q: How does this compare to the 6th generation model?
A: The new 9th gen is far superior in every way. It has a larger and better display (10.2 vs. 9.7), faster processor (A13 vs. A10), starts with double the storage (64 GB vs. 32 GB), as well as other things like better cameras on the front and back as well as features like Truetone and Center Stage. I wouldn't purchase a 6th gen iPad unless it was incredibly cheap or given as a hand-me-down.
Q: What accessories go with this?
A: Apple offers you many types of cases including one that contains a keyboard if you want to use it like a 2-in-1 laptop. It also supports the Apple Pencil, but only the first one (the cheaper one). And, as well, you can connect your AirPods. There are also all types of accessories from 3rd party brands for cases, cases with keyboards, digital pencils, and earphones. Just be sure that the product you are buying states that it is indeed compatible with iPad. It probably says so on the back. Also, you can still connect your wired earphones or headphones on the 3.5mm jack.
A: The short answer is: iMessage: yes, SMS: no. The longer answer is that you can use an app like Google Voice or TextNow to send and receive SMS messages from your iPad, but there are some limitations. Some companies (banks, for example) will only send SMS messages to phone numbers registered with a cellular provider and not to a number registered with an app.
Q: Is it compatible with Kindle books?
A: Yes, the Kindle App loads nicely and the iPad (9th gen) shows your Amazon purchased book library.
Q: Is it compatible with iPad 7 and 8 cases?
A: Yes it is compatible with iPad 7th and 8th generation cases. The iPad 9 has the same dimensions
Customers are impressed with the 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Generation)'s ease of use, price, and screen size. Many also praise its battery life and performance, finding it a good value for the money. While some wish for more storage, the overall feedback highlights a positive user experience. A few users noted that the camera quality could be improved.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
I recently got my hands on the Apple 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Generation) in Silver, and I have to say, it’s a fantastic device for anyone looking for a reliable tablet without breaking the bank. First off, the performance is impressive! Thanks to the A13 Bionic chip, everything runs smoothly—whether I’m browsing the web, streaming my favorite shows, or playing a casual game. The 10.2-inch Retina display is a joy to use; it’s bright and vibrant, making reading or watching videos really enjoyable. The 64GB of storage is decent for everyday use. I’ve been able to store plenty of apps and a good number of photos without any issues. But if you tend to save a lot of videos or large files, you might want to consider going for a model with more storage. What I love most about this iPad is its versatility. It's compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and the Smart Keyboard, so it’s perfect for jotting down notes, sketching, or even tackling some light work tasks. It really transforms the iPad into a mini workstation, which is super handy for students and professionals alike. In terms of design, it has that classic Apple look with sleek aluminum and slim bezels, though it might feel a bit old-school compared to the newer models. But honestly, it’s still a solid, durable device that feels great in hand. Overall, the 9th generation iPad is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for an all-around tablet. Whether you’re a student, a casual user, or someone who just wants a reliable device for streaming and browsing, this iPad has got you covered!
Posted by Airpod
There are many advantages for this 9th gen iPad. First is price. It's a great value. The speed is excellent for most of us. I switched from a Samsung Android tablet and got Apples built-in advantages such as better apps. Although the screen is smaller than some, it's slightly larger than the Samsung Galaxy (Android) Tab A7 even though the Samsung claims to be 10.4 inches while the Apple claims to be only 10.2. This is true for the actual viewable screen size even though the iPad is larger. This is because the space surrounding the viewable area on the iPad (including the "Home" button at the bottom) aren't included in measuring viewable area. What the edge-to-edge viewable area of the Tab A7 does it make it difficult to manipulate full-screen apps. For example, my wife and I read a little from the Kindle app every day. The apps full-screen-only view on the Tab A7 causes us to move pages and sometimes jump while reading . That's not a problem with the iPad because of the convenient area that's OK to touch that surrounds the viewable screen area. Our old Tab A7s battery life has weakened over the years but was always several hours. The iPad's batter can last up to 11 hours during use which is much better than the Samsung's battery. There a some drawbacks. If you plan on storing a lot of photos, the small amount of memory will limit you. Also keep in mind that this iPad tablet does not use a standard USB-C cable like my iPhone 15. Instead, it uses Apple's proprietary "lightning" cable (included). That's inconvenient. It's taking us a while to get used to the Mac OS but my wife and I are warming to the 2 iPads we now use. I give this 4 stars because its excellent value for the price. I didn't give it 5 stars because of the limited memory and the fact that it's not the latest and greatest thing Apple has.
This review is from Apple - 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Generation) with Wi-Fi - 64GB - Space Gray
Posted by RonV
Let me tell you about the *ultimate* Christmas gift I got my 8-year-old son: the Apple 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Gen). I ordered it in November because I’m one of those parents who plans ahead... kinda. On Christmas morning, he tore the wrapping paper, saw the iPad, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. First off, this thing is sleek. The Space Gray color? Chef’s kiss. My son says it “looks expensive,” which is 8-year-old for “I feel like a tech boss.” Setup was super easy, so we didn’t waste time trying to figure it out (thanks, Apple). He uses it for everything. For school, he types his little assignments and watches those “educational” YouTube videos. For games, it’s a dream. Roblox, Minecraft, some random dinosaur game he’s all over it. The screen makes everything look crazy good. Here’s the best part. I’m an OTR truck driver, so I’m on the road a lot. This iPad is a game changer for staying connected. FaceTime feels like I’m right there at the dinner table, and my son loves sending me goofy Memoji messages. He even got his grandma on FaceTime, and she barely knows how to use her phone. Battery life? Amazing. Storage? Perfect. It’s like his whole little digital world in one place. If you’re thinking about buying this iPad for your kid or even yourself just do it. It’s fun, it’s useful, and it keeps us connected. My son loves it, and I feel like the Christmas MVP. P.S. He still loves his PS5, but this iPad? It’s definitely got a special place in his heart. And mine too.
This review is from Apple - 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Generation) with Wi-Fi - 64GB - Space Gray
Posted by Jermon