Refurbished iPad 9th Generation UK: Price, 64GB vs 256GB

A refurbished iPad 9th generation costs from £164.00 at The Tech Gadgets (64GB, Very Good grade, checked 5 October 2026). That makes it the cheapest iPad in stock that still runs Apple's current software, iPadOS 27. It suits children, students and families who want a dependable 10.2-inch iPad for video, reading, homework and video calls. The main drawback is age. It's a 2021 design with a Lightning port rather than USB-C, it works only with the first-generation Apple Pencil, and it can't run Apple Intelligence.

Every 9th gen here is refurbished UK stock and a Wi-Fi model. You choose the grade (Like New, Excellent or Very Good), the storage (64GB or 256GB) and the colour (Silver or Space Grey) on the product page.

Quick decision: is the iPad 9th generation right for you?

• Best for: a first iPad for a child, a homework and revision tablet, streaming in the kitchen or bedroom, FaceTime with family, and note-taking with Apple Pencil (1st generation). It also suits anyone who still uses wired headphones, because it keeps the 3.5mm jack.
• Choose something else when: you want USB-C, the newer all-screen design, a landscape front camera or Apple Pencil (USB-C). The refurbished iPad (A16) listing covers all of those from £314.00. Choose a different iPad, too, if Apple Intelligence matters to you, because none of the budget iPads here support it.
• Check before buying: whether 64GB is enough (it usually is for streaming and school apps), whether you need mobile data (only the Wi-Fi model is listed), and whether you have a USB power adapter, because the box doesn't include a plug.

iPad 9th generation buying facts

The first table lists Apple's published specifications for the iPad 9th generation; the second shows what The Tech Gadgets actually sells.

Prices and storage below come from the store listing on 5 October 2026.

The listing states at least 85% battery health at dispatch on every grade. In the box you get the iPad, a charging cable and protective packaging, with no power adapter. Cover is a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets. Standard delivery is free, because every iPad here costs more than £50.

How much is a refurbished iPad 9th generation?

A refurbished iPad 9th generation costs from £164.00 for 64GB in Very Good grade, £174.00 in Excellent and £189.00 in Like New (checked 5 October 2026). The 256GB model costs from £204.00 in Very Good, rising to £234.00 in Like New. All are Wi-Fi models in Silver or Space Grey, with free standard delivery.

The spread is narrow. Going from the cheapest unit to the most expensive (Very Good 64GB to Like New 256GB) costs £70.00 (£234.00 − £164.00). Grade moves the price by £10.00 to £25.00 at 64GB; storage moves it by £40.00 to £45.00. Settle storage first, because you can't add more later. Then pick the grade you're comfortable looking at every day.

When was the iPad 9th generation released?

Apple announced the iPad 9th generation on 14 September 2021 and it reached stores on Friday 24 September 2021 running iPadOS 15, so its release year is 2021. It replaced the 8th generation (2020) and was followed by the redesigned 10th generation in October 2022. On the back cover, the Wi-Fi model is marked A2602 and the UK Wi-Fi + Cellular model A2604.

What matters more than the release date is support. The 9th gen is the oldest standard iPad on Apple's iPadOS 27 compatibility list; the 8th generation, only a year older, isn't on it.

Which iPadOS does the iPad 9th generation run in October 2026?

The iPad 9th generation runs iPadOS 27, the current version, released on 14 September 2026; its latest update is iPadOS 27.0.1 (28 September 2026). Apple's iPadOS 27 page lists “iPad (9th generation and later, A16)” as compatible. Apple doesn't publish end-of-support dates, so nobody can promise how many more versions it will get. It can't run Apple Intelligence.

This is the main reason to pick the 9th gen over the cheaper 5th to 8th generation iPads. On 5 October 2026, the UK App Store listings for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Microsoft Word and Google Classroom all asked for iPadOS 18 or earlier, so the 9th gen runs them. Netflix and Word already need iPadOS 18, which rules out the 5th and 6th generations. Older iPads still work, but app minimums tend to rise over time.

Being supported today doesn't mean every iPadOS 27 feature works on the A13 chip, and when Apple next draws a line, the oldest supported models are the most exposed. For the longest likely runway, the iPad (A16) is the safer bet. Our 9th gen vs 10th gen vs iPad (A16) comparison sets out that trade-off with prices.

iPad 9th generation specs that matter when buying

What chip does the iPad 9th generation have?

The iPad 9th generation uses Apple's A13 Bionic chip with a Neural Engine, a step up from the A12 Bionic in the 8th generation. Apple doesn't publish a RAM figure on its tech specs page. For browsing, streaming, video calls, school apps and casual games, the A13 is comfortable; demanding 3D games and large creative projects are better on a newer chip.

What are the iPad 9th generation dimensions?

Apple lists the iPad 9th generation Wi-Fi model at 250.6 mm tall, 174.1 mm wide and 7.5 mm deep, weighing 487 g. The Wi-Fi + Cellular version has the same footprint and weighs 498 g. The screen is 10.2 inches measured diagonally, at 2160 x 1620 pixels and 264 pixels per inch.

Front and back, it looks much like the 7th and 8th generations: a 10.2-inch screen with bezels top and bottom, a Home button below the display and the front camera above it in portrait. It is the last standard iPad with a Home button and a headphone jack, which some families actively prefer. A Home button is easy for young children and older relatives to understand, and wired headphones need no pairing.

What's in the box with an iPad 9th gen?

From The Tech Gadgets, the refurbished iPad 9th gen box contains the iPad, a charging cable and protective packaging. There is no power adapter. When new, Apple supplied a Lightning to USB-C cable and a 20W USB-C power adapter, so if you don't already own a USB power adapter, budget for one that fits the cable supplied.

64GB or 256GB: which iPad 9th generation should you buy?

Buy the 64GB iPad 9th generation if it's mainly for streaming, browsing, school apps and video calls, with photos kept in iCloud. Buy the 256GB model for £40.00 more in Very Good (£204.00 − £164.00) if you'll download lots of films for travel, install large games, or the iPad is shared by several children. Storage can't be added later.

iPadOS takes a share of that 64GB before you install anything, and downloaded episodes for a long car journey fill the rest quickly.

• 64GB is enough: one main user, streaming over home Wi-Fi, school apps, ebooks, recipes and FaceTime.
• 256GB is worth it: offline films for holidays, a shared family iPad with several profiles' worth of apps, larger games, or keeping the iPad for four years or more without managing storage.

The 256GB step costs £40.00 in Very Good and £45.00 in Excellent or Like New. That works out at roughly 21p to 23p per extra gigabyte, a small premium for an iPad you plan to keep.

Which grade should you choose?

Choose Very Good if the iPad will live in a case or go to a child; it's the cheapest at £164.00 for 64GB. Choose Excellent (+£10.00) if you want light wear only. Choose Like New (+£25.00 over Very Good at 64GB) for a gift or if marks would bother you. Grades describe cosmetic condition; every grade works fully.

The listing defines the grades like this: 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. The same 85% minimum battery health at dispatch applies to all three, according to the listing, so a higher grade buys appearance, not a better battery or faster performance.

For a child's iPad that goes straight into a chunky case, Very Good is the sensible buy.

Is the iPad 9th generation good for children and students?

Yes. It runs the current iPadOS 27, so school and learning apps keep updating. It supports Apple Pencil (1st generation) for handwriting and diagrams and Apple's Smart Keyboard through the Smart Connector. The 12MP front camera with Centre Stage keeps faces framed on video calls. The headphone jack suits wired school headphones.

For homework, a Smart Connector keyboard attaches and takes its power from the iPad, so there's no Bluetooth pairing or separate battery. Apple lists its Smart Keyboard as compatible with the 7th, 8th and 9th generation iPads.

The Pencil point needs care when you shop for accessories. The 9th gen works with Apple Pencil (1st generation) only. It doesn't work with Apple Pencil (USB-C), Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or Apple Pencil Pro, so check the generation before you buy one.

Parents will also like Touch ID in the Home button and the Screen Time controls built into iPadOS for setting app limits and downtime.

Is there a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad 9th generation?

Apple made a Wi-Fi + Cellular 9th generation (model A2604 in the UK), but The Tech Gadgets currently lists only the Wi-Fi model. Away from Wi-Fi, you can share your phone's mobile data with a Personal Hotspot. If you need a SIM-capable iPad, the nearest option in stock is the iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, from £429.00 (128GB, Very Good).

Alternatives and value: 8th gen, 10th gen or iPad (A16)?

The 9th gen sits in the middle of the range here, so the real decision is whether to save money or spend more.

Save £65.00 with the 8th generation? The refurbished iPad 8th generation costs from £99.00 (32GB, Very Good), but it isn't on Apple's iPadOS 27 list. It suits a bedside streaming tablet; for school use, the 9th gen's newer software, double the base storage and better front camera are worth the difference. Our iPad 8th vs 9th generation guide goes through it in detail.

Spend £116.00 more on the 10th generation? The refurbished iPad 10th generation 64GB brings USB-C, a 10.9-inch all-screen design and a landscape front camera. It's listed in Like New only, so the fair comparison is with a Like New 9th gen: £280.00 − £189.00 = £91.00 more for the same 64GB.

Spend £150.00 more on the iPad (A16)? Apple calls it iPad (A16); the store lists it as the 11th generation. It is Apple's current entry iPad, with 128GB as standard and the newest chip of the three. Against a 256GB 9th gen in Very Good, the gap is £110.00 (£314.00 − £204.00). Choose it if you want the longest likely software runway and USB-C; stay with the 9th gen if the budget is firm.

Who should not buy an iPad 9th generation?

• Anyone who wants Apple Intelligence. It needs an A17 Pro or M1 chip or later, and none of the budget iPads here have one.
• Artists who want a modern Pencil. The 9th gen is limited to Apple Pencil (1st generation). If you're buying a new Pencil anyway, an iPad that supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) gives you more choice.
• Households that have moved everything to USB-C. The 9th gen charges through Lightning, so it needs its own cable.
• Buyers who want the longest possible support. It's on iPadOS 27 today, but it's the oldest standard iPad on that list.

If one of those describes you, browse our refurbished iPads and tablets in stock or read the refurbished iPad buying guide, which focuses on the 10th generation.

Condition, warranty and what to check on arrival

These iPads are refurbished UK stock, refurbished by The Tech Gadgets rather than Apple Certified Refurbished (our Apple Certified vs refurbished explainer covers the difference). The listing says each one is checked, cleaned, reset and tested before dispatch. If the labels confuse you, our guide to refurbished, used and renewed explained applies to tablets too.

Your 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). The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions, so check battery life in the first few weeks. A faulty battery within 30 days is still covered by your Consumer Rights Act right to reject. The returns and warranty policy also gives you change-of-mind returns within 30 days if unused and complete (you pay return postage), plus your 14-day right to cancel. Our explainer on warranty and your consumer rights sets out how the two fit together.

Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester. Standard delivery takes 1–3 working days and is free on every iPad here; Special Delivery (next working day) costs £9.99. The delivery and dispatch policy covers weekends and bank holidays.

Arrival checklist

• Set it up with your own Apple Account. A properly reset iPad starts at the Hello screen; it should never show a “Locked to Owner” screen or ask for someone else's password.
• Confirm the model: Settings > General > About should show iPad (9th generation), and the back is marked A2602 on the Wi-Fi model.
• Check the storage in the same About screen matches what you ordered (64GB or 256GB).
• Test Touch ID, both cameras, the speakers, the headphone jack and charging through the Lightning port.
• Look over the screen and body against the grade you chose, and use it normally for a few days to judge battery life. The 9th gen has no battery-health readout in Settings (Apple shows one only on newer models such as the iPad (A16)), so if you want the figure behind the 85% promise, ask the team.

iPad 9th generation FAQs

Is the iPad 9th generation still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, for budget buyers. It runs iPadOS 27, the current version, and costs from £164.00 refurbished, which is £150.00 less than the cheapest iPad (A16) here. You give up USB-C, the all-screen design and Apple Intelligence. For streaming, schoolwork, reading and video calls it does the job well, and it has a longer software runway than the 5th to 8th generations.

Does a refurbished iPad 9th gen come with AppleCare?

No. The cover included is the 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery. These iPads are refurbished by The Tech Gadgets, not sold as Apple Certified Refurbished, so Apple's own warranty doesn't come with them. Apple decides AppleCare+ eligibility itself, so ask Apple directly if you want it. Accidental damage isn't covered by the store warranty, so a good case is worth buying.

Can I get the iPad 9th generation on a contract deal?

Not from The Tech Gadgets. It sells devices outright and SIM-free, with no contracts or monthly plans. The iPad 9th generation here is a Wi-Fi model anyway, so there's no SIM to put on a data plan. You pay once, from £164.00, and share your phone's data if you need the internet away from Wi-Fi.

Does it come with a charger?

It comes with a charging cable but no power adapter (plug). Apple supplied a 20W USB-C adapter with the 9th generation when new, so a USB-C power adapter is a sensible match if the cable has a USB-C end. If you're unsure which cable you'll receive, ask the team before ordering.

Is the iPad 9th generation the same as the iPad 10.2-inch (2021)?

Yes. Apple calls it iPad (9th generation), and retailers often describe it as the iPad 10.2-inch (2021) or iPad 9. It was the last of the 10.2-inch iPads, which began with the 7th generation in 2019. The 10th generation that followed moved to a 10.9-inch all-screen design with USB-C.

How long does the iPad 9th gen battery last?

Apple rated it at up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or watching video when new, from a 32.4Wh battery. A refurbished unit's battery has aged, and the listing promises at least 85% battery health at dispatch on every grade. Expect a little less than the new figure. Brightness, games and video calls all shorten it.

Can the iPad 9th generation run Apple Intelligence?

No. Apple Intelligence on iPad needs the A17 Pro chip or an M1 chip or later, and the 9th generation uses the A13 Bionic. Updating to iPadOS 27 doesn't add it. If Apple Intelligence is a priority, none of the budget iPads at The Tech Gadgets support it, including the iPad (A16).

Verdict: the budget iPad with the most life left in it

The refurbished iPad 9th generation is the one to buy when you want a proper iPad for the least money without being stuck on old software. At £164.00 for 64GB in Very Good, it runs the same iPadOS 27 as Apple's current entry iPad, keeps the Home button and headphone jack that families like, and works with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Smart Keyboard for schoolwork.

Choose the 64GB in Very Good for a child or a cased everyday iPad. Choose 256GB (+£40.00) if you'll download films or share it around the family. Choose Like New if it's a gift.

Buy something else if you want USB-C, Apple Pencil (USB-C) or the longest support you can get. The iPad (A16) from £314.00 is the better long-term pick. If you're weighing the cheaper 8th generation, the 9th gen costs £65.00 more and is the one still on the current iPadOS.