Mobile / Tablets
AppleTablet
iPad (9th generation)
Released September 2021.4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026Announced September 14, 2021. Order from September 14, in stores from Friday September 24. Release month September 2021 Last checked 23 October 2026.
- Screen size
- 10.2in
- Chipset
- Apple A13 Bionic
- Display type
- LCD (IPS)
- Storage
- 64, 256GB
93 of 168 fields known.
General
- Model numbers
- A2602, A2603, A2604, A26052Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108043Read 10 October 2026A2602 iPad (9th generation). A2604 Wi-Fi + Cellular. A2603 Wi-Fi + Cellular (North America only). A2605 Wi-Fi + Cellular (China mainland only)
- GTIN / EAN
- Not available
- Announced
- 14 September 20214Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026
- Status
- Discontinued11Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad_(9th_generation)Read 10 October 2026Infobox: discontinued May 7, 2024
- Predecessor
- Apple iPad (8th generation)14Reviewwhathifi.com/advice/apple-ipad-9-2021-vs-ipad-8-2020-which-ipad-should-you-buyRead 23 October 2026What Hi-Fi says the ninth-generation iPad replaces the eighth-generation entry-level iPad.
- Successor
- Apple iPad (10th generation)15Press articlemacrumors.com/guide/ipad-9-vs-ipad-10Read 23 October 2026MacRumors calls the ninth-generation iPad the predecessor of the 10th-generation iPad, which Apple kept on sale beside it.16Press articlemacworld.com/article/1370887/ipad-10th-gen-vs-ipad-9th-gen-design-display-specs.htmlRead 23 October 2026Macworld says Apple updated its entry-level iPad with the 10th generation and calls the 9th generation its predecessor.
- Markets
- US, EU, CN2Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108043Read 10 October 2026CN from A2605, China mainland only4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026Order in 28 countries and regions, including the US5Press releaseapple.com/de/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026EU from the German launch release
- Colours
- Silver, Space Gray1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 20264Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026
- OS updates promised
- Not available
- Security updates promised
- Not available
- Security updates until
- Not available
Body
Front and side, drawn to scale.
- Weight
- 487g(1.1 lb)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Wi-Fi models 487 g. Wi-Fi + Cellular models 498 g
- Frame
- Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure
- Front
- Not available
- Back
- Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure
- Dust and water rating
- Not available
- MIL-STD-810
- Not available
- SIM
- Nano-SIMs1eSIM onlyNo1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026SIM Card section: Nano-SIM and eSIM on Wi-Fi + Cellular models. eSIM count is not stated
- Built-in kickstand
- Not available
Display
- Screen size
- 10.2in(25.9 cm)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 202610.2-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
- Resolution
- 2160 × 1620px1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 20262160-by-1620-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch
- Pixel density
- 264.7ppi
- Aspect ratio
- 4:36Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 20261620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio
- Display type
- LCD (IPS)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- Display type (as published)
- Retina display1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- Dimming zones
- Not available
- Refresh rate modes
Max (Hz) 60 - Max refresh rate
- 60Hz
- Min refresh rate
- Not available
- Brightness (typical, SDR)
- 500nits1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026500 nits brightness
- Peak brightness
- Not available
- Full-screen HDR brightness
- Not available
- Contrast ratio
- Not available
- Colour depth
- Not available
- DCI-P3 coverage
- Not available
- HDR playback formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR101Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Video Playback section: Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 content. Playback support, not HDR luminance on the built-in LCD. The 2021 GSMArena review did not find HDR video support, so the maker page is used
- Anti-reflection coating
- Not available
- Screen surface
- Not available
- Nano-texture option
- Not available
- PWM dimming frequency
- Not available
Platform
- OS at launch
- iPadOS 154Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026iPadOS 15 ships for free with the new iPad
- Software
- Not available
- Latest OS
- iPadOS 2712Maker product pageapple.com/os/ipadosRead 10 October 2026iPadOS 27 is compatible with iPad (9th generation and later, A16)
- Chipset
- Apple A13 Bionic1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- CPU cores
- 61Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Chip section lists the A13 Bionic. The six-core layout comes from GSMArena6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
- CPU configuration
Count Core Max clock (GHz) 2 Lightning 2.65 4 Thunder 1.8 - Max CPU clock
- 2.65GHz
- GPU
- Apple GPU (4-core graphics)6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
- GPU cores
- 46Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 20264-core graphics
- NPU performance
- Not available
Memory
- RAM type
- Not available
- Memory bandwidth
- Not available
- Storage
- 64, 256GB1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 20262Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108043Read 10 October 20264Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026
- Storage type
- Not available
- Memory card
- None6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Card slot: No
- Max card size
- Not available
Rear cameras
- Rear cameras
Role Resolution (MP) Aperture (f/) Focal length (35 mm equivalent) (mm) Pixel size (µm) Autofocus Main 8 2.4 31 1.12 Autofocus, mechanism not stated Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 20268MP Wide camera, f/2.4 aperture, continuous autofocus video. Focal length and pixel size come from GSMArena6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 20268 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF- Number of rear cameras
- 1
- Main camera
- 8MP
- Flash
- Not available
- Video recording
Width (px) Height (px) Max frame rate (fps) 1920 1080 30 1280 720 120 - Max video resolution
- 1920 × 1080px
- Video HDR
- Not available
- Video formats
- HEVC, H.2641Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- LiDAR scanner
- Not available
Front camera
- Front cameras
Role Resolution (MP) Aperture (f/) Field of view Ultrawide 12 2.4 122° - Front camera resolution (as published)
- Not available
- Front camera position
- Portrait edge3Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/ipad/ipad-9th-generation-ipada6b7a0b6/ipadosRead 10 October 2026Front view diagram text: front camera at the top center, Home button at the bottom center, in portrait orientation. That is the short edge
- Auto framing
- Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Video Calling section lists Center Stage4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026
- Front video
Width (px) Height (px) Max frame rate (fps) 1920 1080 60 - Front autofocus
- Not available
Audio
- Number of speakers
- 21Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Speakers section lists Stereo speakers. The count of two comes from the GSMArena review6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Yes, with stereo speakers7Reviewm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p2.phpRead 10 October 2026Stereo speakers, both on the bottom, so two
- Stereo speakers
- Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- Microphones
- 21Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Dual microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording7Reviewm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p2.phpRead 10 October 2026One microphone on the top side and one on the back. Matches Apple's dual microphones
- Audio features
- Not available
Network
- 2G bands
- Not available
- 3G bands
- 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Model A2603 UMTS/HSPA bands
- 4G bands
- B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B11, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B21, B25, B26, B29, B30, B66, B71, B34, B38, B39, B40, B411Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Model A2603 only. Apple lists no band table for A2604
- 5G bands
- Not available
- 5G mmWave
- Not available
- Max download speed
- Not available
- Modem
- Not available
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi bands
- 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth codecs
- Not available
- Positioning
- Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation, GPS/GNSS, Cellular1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026All models: digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation. Wi-Fi + Cellular models add GPS/GNSS and cellular
- Dual-band GNSS
- Not available
- Connector
- Lightning1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Buttons and Connectors lists a Lightning connector
- USB speed
- USB 2.06Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Lightning, USB 2.07Reviewm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p2.phpRead 10 October 2026Lightning connector with a USB 2.0 controller behind it
- Thunderbolt
- Not available
- Video out over USB
- Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Digital video output over adapters. VGA, HDMI and DVI
- Max external display
- 1920 × 1080px1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Video out up to 1080p through the Lightning Digital AV Adapter and the Lightning to VGA Adapter. Refresh rate not published
- External displays
- Not available
Stylus
- Compatible styluses
Name Included Apple Pencil (1st generation) No Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Display section: Supports Apple Pencil (1st generation). Not included4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-most-popular-ipad-delivers-even-more-performance-and-advanced-featuresRead 10 October 2026Apple Pencil (1st generation) sold separately, $99 (US)- Pressure levels
- Not available
- Tilt support
- Not available
- Hover
- Not available
Keyboard and accessories
- Accessory connector
- Smart Connector1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- Official keyboards
Name Connection Included Smart Keyboard Pogo pins No - Keyboard with trackpad
- Not available
- Keyboard in box
- No
Features and sensors
- Fingerprint
- Front home button1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Buttons and Connectors list: Home button/Touch ID. The Touch ID reader is in the front home button.
- Face unlock
- Not available
- Sensors
- Touch ID, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensor1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Touch ID, three-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor
- Extra buttons
- Home button with Touch ID1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Buttons and Connectors list: Home button/Touch ID
Battery and charging
- Battery capacity
- 8,557mAh6Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh). The mAh figure is the GSMArena value. It matches Apple's 32.4 Wh at about 3.79 V7Reviewm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p2.phpRead 10 October 2026Battery 32.4 Wh or 8557 mAh, identical to the 8th generation
- Battery capacity (typical)
- Not available
- Battery energy
- 32.4Wh1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026Built-in 32.4-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- Claimed battery life
Use case Connection Hours (h) Web browsing Wi-Fi 10 Video playback Not available 10 Web browsing Cellular 9 - Video playback (claimed)
- 10h
- Wired charging
- Not available
- Wired charging standards
- Not available
- Charging guidance
- Not available
- Charge 0 to 50 %
- Not available
- Charge 0 to 100 %
- Not available
- Reverse wired
- Not available
Measured
- Geekbench 6 single-core
- Not available
- Geekbench 6 multi-core
- Not available
- Geekbench 6 GPU
- Not available
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme
- Not available
- 3DMark stress test stability
- Not available
- AnTuTu
- 617,292points9Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p4.phpRead 10 October 2026AnTuTu 9 total score 617292, Metal. Wi-Fi 64 GB test unit with 3 GB RAM10Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Our Tests: AnTuTu 617292 (v9)
- Manual SDR brightness (measured)
- 513nits8Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p3.phpRead 10 October 2026GSMArena display test at 100% brightness: white 513 cd/m2, black 0.457 cd/m2. GSMArena states there is no max auto mode beyond 513 nits. White area extent not stated10Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Our Tests: 513 nits max brightness (measured)
- Brightness with auto (measured)
- Not available
- HDR brightness (measured)
- Not available
- Contrast ratio (measured)
- 1,123:18Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p3.phpRead 10 October 20261123:1 at 100% brightness, black 0.457 cd/m2, white 513 cd/m210Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Our Tests: 1123:1 contrast ratio
- Colour accuracy (measured Delta E)
- Not available
- Reflections (measured)
- Not available
- PWM dimming (measured)
- Not available
- PWM up to brightness (measured)
- Not available
- Stylus latency (measured)
- Not available
- Battery life (measured)
- Not available
- Battery tests (measured)
- Not available
- Full charge time (measured)
- 165min8Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_2021-review-2328p3.phpRead 10 October 2026Zero to full in around 2 hours 45 minutes with the 20W adapter in the box. Cable not stated. Wi-Fi 64 GB unit
- Loudspeaker loudness (measured)
- -29.4LUFS10Measurementm.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.phpRead 10 October 2026Our Tests: Loudspeaker -29.4 LUFS (Average)
EU label and regulatory
We could not find any of these 7 fields. Show them
- EU energy class
- Not available
- Battery endurance per cycle (EU test)
- Not available
- Battery endurance in cycles (EU test)
- Not available
- Drop resistance class
- Not available
- Repairability class
- Not available
- SAR body (US)
- Not available
- SAR body (EU)
- Not available
In the box
- In the box
- iPad (9th generation), Lightning to USB-C Cable, 20W USB-C Power Adapter1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
Links
- Product page
- Not available
- Spec sheet
- support.apple.com/en-us/1118981Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898Read 10 October 2026
- Manual
- support.apple.com/guide/ipad/ipad-9th-generation-ipada6b7a0b6/ipados3Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/ipad/ipad-9th-generation-ipada6b7a0b6/ipadosRead 10 October 2026iPad User Guide hardware page for iPad (9th generation)
- EPREL registration number
- Not available
Warranty
- Manufacturer warranty (source market)
- 1year13Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.htmlRead 10 October 2026US market. Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty for iPad hardware
Compare with
Pick a tablet to see both side by side. Differences are marked yellow.
Variants
Each variant lists only what differs from the specs above.
| Model number | Launch price (US) | Launch price (EU) | Weight | SIM | Storage | Cellular | Network | 3G bands | 4G bands | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2602 | $329 | €379 | 487 g | Not available | 64 GB | No | Not available | Not available | Not available | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation |
| A2602 | Not available | Not available | 487 g | Not available | 256 GB | No | Not available | Not available | Not available | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation |
| A2603 | $459 | Not available | 498 g | Nano-SIMs 1, eSIM only No | 64 GB | Yes | HSPA, LTE | 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz | B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B11, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B21, B25, B26, B29, B30, B66, B71, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41 | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation, GPS/GNSS, Cellular |
| A2603 | Not available | Not available | 498 g | Nano-SIMs 1, eSIM only No | 256 GB | Yes | HSPA, LTE | 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz | B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B11, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B21, B25, B26, B29, B30, B66, B71, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41 | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation, GPS/GNSS, Cellular |
| A2604 | Not available | €519 | 498 g | Nano-SIMs 1, eSIM only No | 64 GB | Yes | HSPA, LTE | Not available | Not available | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation, GPS/GNSS, Cellular |
| A2604 | Not available | Not available | 498 g | Nano-SIMs 1, eSIM only No | 256 GB | Yes | HSPA, LTE | Not available | Not available | Digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon microlocation, GPS/GNSS, Cellular |
Sources
We read 16 sources for this tablet. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.
- Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111898
- Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108043
- Spec databasem.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.php
- Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad_(9th_generation)
- Maker product pageapple.com/os/ipados
- Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html
- Press articlemacrumors.com/guide/ipad-9-vs-ipad-10
See a wrong value? Tell us and name the field.
PredecessorApple iPad (8th generation)
SuccessorApple iPad (10th generation)