iPad 8th vs 9th Generation UK: Is the 9th Gen Worth £65 More?

For most buyers, the iPad 9th generation is worth the extra £65.00 over the iPad 8th generation. It runs the current iPadOS 27, has a far better front camera for video calls and starts at 64GB rather than 32GB. At The Tech Gadgets the 9th generation 64GB costs £164.00 in Very Good condition, against £99.00 for the 8th generation 32GB (checked 5 October 2026), so the gap is £164.00 − £99.00 = £65.00.

The 8th generation is still the better pick when budget comes first and the iPad is for streaming, reading and homework, or when you want built-in mobile data, because only the 8th generation has a Wi-Fi + Cellular listing here. Its biggest limitation is software: iPadOS 26 is its last major version. Both models share the same 10.2-inch screen, size, Lightning port, headphone jack and Apple Pencil (1st generation) support.

Quick decision: 8th or 9th generation?

• Choose the 8th generation when: you want the lowest price, the iPad is for video, reading, notes and school apps, a child will use it, or you need Wi-Fi + Cellular.
• Choose the 9th generation when: you want the current iPadOS, regular video calls with a camera that keeps you in frame, True Tone, or more storage than 128GB.
• Check before buying: which iPadOS version your must-have apps need, how much storage you'll fill, and whether you need mobile data away from Wi-Fi.

iPad 8th vs 9th generation: specs side by side

This table compares Apple's published design specs for the two models; bold labels mark the differences that matter most when buying.

This second table shows what The Tech Gadgets lists for each, separate from Apple's specs.

Full grade, storage and colour options are on the iPad 8th generation (2020) Wi-Fi listing and the refurbished iPad 9th generation (2021) listing.

What's the difference between the iPad 8th and 9th generation?

The iPad 9th generation adds the A13 Bionic chip, a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Centre Stage, a True Tone display, double the starting storage (64GB instead of 32GB) and support for iPadOS 27. The body, screen size and resolution, Lightning port, headphone jack, Touch ID, battery rating and Apple Pencil (1st generation) support are the same.

That makes this an unusual comparison. On the outside, the two are almost impossible to tell apart, and the parts you touch every day, from the Home button to the speakers to the Smart Connector for a keyboard, carry straight over. The real differences sit in three places: how long the software lasts, how good you look on video calls, and how much you can store.

How long will the iPad 8th and 9th generation get updates?

The iPad 8th generation tops out at iPadOS 26; Apple's iPadOS 27, released on 14 September 2026, dropped it, although it still received iPadOS 26.7.1 on 28 September 2026. The iPad 9th generation runs iPadOS 27 and received iPadOS 27.0.1 the same day. Apple publishes no end date for either.

Apple's iPadOS 27 compatibility list covers the iPad 9th generation and later, so the 9th generation gets this year's new iPadOS features and the 8th doesn't. You can see which models each fix covers on Apple's security releases page, where the 8th generation still appears on iPadOS 26.x updates.

Keep the lead in proportion. The 9th generation is now the oldest standard iPad on the iPadOS 27 list, so its advantage is one major version today, not an open-ended promise. On 5 October 2026, the current App Store versions of YouTube, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Microsoft Word and Google Classroom listed iPadOS versions that both models can run, so the difference shows up gradually as apps raise their minimums.

Neither model supports Apple Intelligence. Apple limits it to iPad models with an M1 chip or later and the iPad mini (A17 Pro), so the 9th generation gets iPadOS 27 without its Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI.

Is the A13 chip in the iPad 9th gen much faster than the A12?

Apple's 2021 launch announcement claimed the A13 Bionic gave the iPad 9th generation a 20 percent performance boost over the 8th generation's A12 Bionic. Both chips include a Neural Engine. For streaming, web browsing, notes and school apps, software support and the front camera are bigger reasons to choose the 9th generation than chip speed.

The A12 brought the Neural Engine to the entry-level iPad for the first time, according to Apple's 2020 announcement, so the 8th generation isn't a weak chip for everyday work. Where the extra headroom of the A13 helps is longevity: newer iPadOS versions and apps tend to ask more of the hardware over time, and the 9th generation starts from a higher base.

Which has the better camera for video calls?

The iPad 9th generation, by a wide margin. Its front camera is a 12MP Ultra Wide with a 122° field of view and Centre Stage, which keeps you in frame as you move, and it records 1080p video. The 8th generation has a 1.2MP FaceTime HD front camera limited to 720p. Both have an 8MP rear camera.

Apple pitched Centre Stage at remote learning when it launched the 9th generation, and that's still the clearest use case: a child doing a lesson or a grandparent on FaceTime doesn't have to keep adjusting the iPad. If video calls are occasional, the 8th generation's camera will do. If they happen daily, this one difference can justify the £65.00 on its own.

Is the iPad 9th gen the same size as the 8th?

Yes. Apple lists both at 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm with a 10.2-inch Retina display at 2160 x 1620 pixels. The Wi-Fi models weigh 490g (8th) and 487g (9th). Neither screen is laminated, both reach 500 nits, and only the 9th generation adds True Tone, which adjusts the white balance to the light around you.

Because the dimensions match and both have a Smart Connector, many cases and keyboards, including Apple's Smart Keyboard, are sold for both generations. Check the accessory maker's compatibility list before you rely on an old case, because cut-outs and fit vary between products.

How do you tell an iPad 8th generation from a 9th generation?

Read the model number printed on the back. A2270 is the 8th generation Wi-Fi and A2428, A2429 or A2430 is its Cellular version; A2602 is the 9th generation Wi-Fi and A2604 its UK Cellular version. Settings > General > About also shows the model name and storage, and only the 8th generation came in Gold.

Storage is another giveaway, because the sizes never overlap. An iPad with 32GB or 128GB is an 8th generation; one with 64GB or 256GB is a 9th generation. There's no 64GB 8th generation and no 32GB 9th generation, so a listing elsewhere that offers either deserves a second look.

Is the iPad 9th generation worth the extra £65? Price maths

At entry level the 9th generation costs £65.00 more (£164.00 − £99.00, both Very Good Wi-Fi), but the fairer comparison for many buyers is the 8th generation 128GB: then the gap is £45.00 (£164.00 − £119.00). For £45.00 you trade half the storage for iPadOS 27, the better camera and True Tone.

This table shows the cheapest price for every grade and storage size on both Wi-Fi listings (checked 5 October 2026).

A few comparisons stand out:

• Largest storage on each: the 9th generation 256GB costs £85.00 more than the 8th generation 128GB (£204.00 − £119.00, Very Good), for double the storage.
• Grade versus generation: a Like New 8th generation 32GB at £119.00 is still £45.00 cheaper than a Very Good 9th generation 64GB (£164.00 − £119.00). If you're tempted by a pristine 8th, a marked 9th usually gives you more for the money.
• Grade steps: on the 8th generation each grade adds £10.00. On the 9th generation 64GB, Excellent adds £10.00 and Like New another £15.00.
• Mobile data: the 8th generation with Wi-Fi + Cellular starts at £119.00 for 32GB and £144.00 for 128GB. There's no 9th generation Cellular listing, so the 8th is the only built-in-data option of the two here.

Apple launched these two at similar prices: £329 for the 8th generation Wi-Fi in 2020 and £319 for the 9th generation Wi-Fi in 2021, according to Apple's UK press releases. The refurbished gap today reflects software support more than age.

Which grade and storage should you pick?

For either model, Very Good is the value grade if the iPad goes in a case, because the listings describe the grades as cosmetic only and every grade works fully. Like New shows little or no sign of use, Excellent may have light marks, and Very Good may have visible marks that don't affect use.

On storage, 32GB on the 8th generation suits a streaming and browsing iPad; anyone who downloads films, games or photos should take 128GB. The 9th generation's 64GB is comfortable for most families, and 256GB suits people who keep large offline libraries. Neither model has a memory card slot, so choose storage for how you'll use it in two years, not today.

Choose the 8th generation when… / choose the 9th generation instead when…

Choose the iPad 8th generation when

• Your budget is around £100 and the iPad is mainly for video, ebooks, browsing and homework.
• It's a child's tablet and a Very Good 32GB at £99.00 keeps the cost of a drop easier to accept.
• You want Wi-Fi + Cellular, which only the 8th generation offers in this pairing at The Tech Gadgets.
• You're happy that iPadOS 26 is the final major version and your apps support it.

Choose the iPad 9th generation instead when

• You want the current iPadOS 27 and its new features.
• Video calls, online lessons or FaceTime with family happen most days.
• You need more than 128GB, or 32GB would feel tight from day one.
• You'd like True Tone for comfortable reading in different light.

Our refurbished iPad 8th generation buying guide goes deeper on the 8th generation's grades and Cellular option, and the iPad 9th generation guide covers 64GB versus 256GB in detail.

When should you skip both for a newer iPad?

Skip both if you want USB-C, an all-screen design or support for Apple Pencil (USB-C). The refurbished iPad 10th generation is listed from £280.00 (Like New), which is £116.00 more than the 9th generation 64GB Very Good (£280.00 − £164.00).

We compare it with the 9th generation and the iPad (A16) in our 9th vs 10th generation vs A16 comparison, and the existing 10th generation iPad buying guide covers that model on its own. None of these iPads supports Apple Intelligence either, so don't step up for that reason.

Condition, warranty and arrival checks

Both models are refurbished UK stock. The listings say each iPad is checked, cleaned, reset and tested by The Tech Gadgets in Manchester, and that it isn't an Apple Certified Refurbished product. Every grade is listed with at least 85% battery health at dispatch. Neither model shows a battery-health figure in Settings, so ask the team for the figure recorded at testing if you want it confirmed.

The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions. A faulty battery within 30 days is still covered by your Consumer Rights Act right to reject, which our guide to warranty cover and consumer rights on refurbished devices explains.

Either iPad comes with a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery, covering faults that develop in normal use (not accidental or liquid damage); see the returns and warranty terms. You also get change-of-mind returns within 30 days if unused and complete (you pay return postage), plus your 14-day right to cancel. Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester, and because both iPads cost more than £50, standard delivery (1–3 working days) is free; Special Delivery is £9.99. The shipping policy has the cut-off details.

When it arrives, check that the iPad starts at the Hello screen and isn't locked to a previous owner, match the model number on the back, install the latest update in Settings > General > Software Update, and test Touch ID, both cameras, the speakers, the headphone jack and charging. Then compare the body with your grade's description.

iPad 8th vs 9th generation FAQ

Will my iPad 8th generation case and keyboard fit a 9th generation?

Very likely, because Apple lists identical dimensions for the two models and both have a Smart Connector on the side for keyboards such as Apple's Smart Keyboard. The 9th generation is 3g lighter on Wi-Fi, which makes no difference to fit. Check your case maker's compatibility notes, because cut-outs and fit can still vary from one product to another.

Do both models work with the same Apple Pencil?

Yes. Both support Apple Pencil (1st generation) only, which pairs and charges through the Lightning port. Neither works with Apple Pencil (USB-C), Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or Apple Pencil Pro. If you already own a 1st generation pencil, it will work with either iPad, so it doesn't need to factor into the decision.

Does the iPad 9th generation get Apple Intelligence with iPadOS 27?

No. The 9th generation runs iPadOS 27, but Apple restricts Apple Intelligence on iPad to models with an M1 chip or later and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). Features that depend on it, including Siri AI, aren't available on the 9th or the 8th generation. You still get the rest of iPadOS 27 on the 9th generation, which the 8th can't install.

Is 32GB on the 8th generation enough compared with 64GB on the 9th?

For a streaming and browsing iPad, 32GB works if you keep downloads under control. It gets tight with offline films, large games or a photo library, and iPadOS takes some space before you start. If storage matters, compare the 8th generation 128GB at £119.00 with the 9th generation 64GB at £164.00 (Very Good): the 8th gives you twice the space for £45.00 less.

Is there a 9th generation Wi-Fi + Cellular at The Tech Gadgets?

Not at the moment; only the Wi-Fi 9th generation is listed. If you need built-in mobile data, the 8th generation Wi-Fi + Cellular is listed from £119.00 for 32GB in Very Good condition. It takes a nano-SIM or eSIM for 4G data and is listed as unlocked, with no data plan included. The alternative is a Wi-Fi 9th generation using your phone's hotspot.

Which is better for a child: the 8th or 9th generation?

For a younger child who mainly watches videos and plays games, the 8th generation in Very Good condition at £99.00 is the sensible choice. For an older child doing online lessons, the 9th generation's Centre Stage camera and iPadOS 27 support earn the extra £65.00. Both work with Apple's Screen Time parental controls, and both keep the headphone jack for wired headphones.

Do both still use Lightning and have a headphone jack?

Yes. Both charge and connect through Lightning rather than USB-C, and both keep a 3.5mm headphone jack and Touch ID in the Home button. If USB-C matters to you, for example so one cable charges your iPad, laptop and phone, you need to look at the 10th generation or later instead.

Verdict: iPad 8th or 9th generation?

Buy the iPad 9th generation if you can stretch to £164.00. The £65.00 over the cheapest 8th generation buys the current iPadOS 27, a front camera built for video calls, True Tone and 64GB to start. It's the better long-term iPad of the two.

Buy the iPad 8th generation if £99.00 is the budget, if you need Wi-Fi + Cellular, or if the iPad is a streaming and homework tablet where iPadOS 26 is enough. Don't buy either if you need USB-C or Apple Intelligence. You can see both alongside the rest of the range in our tablets in stock.