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Apple iPad (9th generation) vs Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro)
Apple iPad (9th generation) ($155) vs Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro) ($699) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right budget tablet.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple iPad (9th generation) | Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $155 | $699 |
| Weight | 487g | 255g |
| Chip | A13 Bionic | A20 Pro |
| Display | 10.2" Retina | 8.5" OLED Super Retina XDR, 2316 x 1512 |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage front, 8MP rear | — |
| Port | Lightning | — |
| Pencil | 1st generation Apple Pencil | — |
| Weight | 487g (Apple published, Wi-Fi) | 255 g Wi-Fi, 263 g Cellular (Apple published) |
| Brightness | — | 600 nits, 1200 nits peak (HDR) |
| Accessories | — | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi 7, USB-C 10Gb/s |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad (9th generation)
- Cheapest working iPad with a modern-enough chip for everyday apps
- Home button and Touch ID, familiar to anyone coming from an older iPhone
- Center Stage front camera for video calls
- Compatible with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard
- Lightning port, not USB-C
- Thick bezels around a smaller 10.2-inch display
- 487g is heavier than every iPad Air or Pro on this list
- No longer sold new, so accessories will thin out over time
Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro)
- OLED in a 255 g tablet
- Apple Pencil Pro support with hover
- Wi-Fi 7 and 10Gb/s USB-C
- Nano-texture glass option for glare
- Starts at $699 for 128GB
- Nano-texture glass costs $100 and starts at 256GB
- Cellular adds $150
- 8.5 inches is cramped for split-screen work
Apple iPad (9th generation) is the better value at $155. If weight matters most, Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro) carries lighter at 255g. Both are part of our curated budget tablet index — tap through to check current pricing.
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