The new base iPad
While the new iPad 9 didn't get a massive makeover, it still has some long-awaited features that last year's model didn't have. With a brand new 12MP front-facing camera, you're bound to look much clearer on video calls. Plus, the True Tone display finally makes its debut on the base iPad. With the A13 Bionic chip powering the whole thing, you know it's going to perform very well.
For
- A13 Bionic
- True Tone display
- 12MP front camera with Center Stage
Against
- Same old design
Last year's model
The iPad 8 is still a great device; the A12 Bionic is as speedy and responsive as ever, but it doesn't have a True Tone display or the 12MP front-facing camera. It is the same design as the iPad 9, so it isn't missing out on a fresh new look. The one big benefit of the iPad 8 is that you may find some deals on it at some retailers since it's about to be replaced.
For
- A12 Bionic is still great
- Might be able to find deals on price
Against
- No True tone display
- 1.2MP front camera
With the launch of the iPad 9, you may be wondering how it compares to last year's iPad 8, and the truth is performance-wise, both these machines are pretty close to each other. Yes, the A13 Bionic is certainly more powerful than the A12 in the iPad8, but the iPad 9 likely won't feel much faster than last year's model in use. Of course, the iPad 9 vs. iPad 8 isn't all about performance, and the iPad 9 has some great new features that iPad users have been waiting to appear on the base model for some time.
iPad 9 vs. iPad 8: Not a "must-upgrade," but the iPad 9 does look great
The iPad 9 did not get a major redesign like the iPad mini 6, meaning the question of whether it's worth the upgrade from the iPad 8 isn't as clear-cut as it could be. We know that the iPad 9 will be the new base iPad going forward, and as it is right now, that iPad 8 can be a little hard to find. Just look at the specs and see how few differences there really are:
| Header Cell - Column 0 | iPad 9 | iPad 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| Screen size | 10.2-inch | 10.2-inch |
| Rear-camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Front camera | 12MP | 1.2MP |
| Biometric authentication | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web |
| True Tone display | Yes | No |
| Storage | Up to 256GB | Up to 128GB |
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray, Gold |
The biggest improvement, hands down, is the 12MP ultra-wide front camera. As someone who has an iPad 8, my biggest complaint has always been that it absolutely sucks for FaceTime or other video calls. The camera quality is so bad that it's almost hard even to call it a camera by today's standards.
It's a huge win for everyone that the iPad 9 finally upgraded the front-facing camera to something useful. Plus, Apple even includes its Center Stage feature, which allows the camera to crop the image as you move around to keep you in the frame when you're on video calls. It can even let someone else get in the frame with you and re-adjust, so both people are centered in the frame.
iPad 9 vs. iPad 8: Performance likely won't be that different
Yes, on paper and benchmarks, the A13 Bionic will outperform the A12 Bionic in last year's iPad 8, but it certainly isn't such a huge upgrade that you'll notice much of a difference in day-to-day use.
I still use my iPad 8 daily, and not once have I had an issue with speed. I use my iPad for gaming, drawing, word processing, browsing the web, watching Netflix, and more, and it still performs beautifully and is quite responsive.
iPad 9 vs. iPad 8: True Tone is nice but can be annoying
Likely the other big difference you've picked up on is that the iPad 9 has a True Tone display, which means the Display will adjust to being warmer or cooler in tone to match the light around you. Without True Tone, if you're using your iPad in cool light, your screen may look a little yellow. If you're in a warmer light environment, your display may look a tad blue. It's a nice feature missing from the iPad 8, but it's not always the best feature for some activities.
The True Tone display can make coloring or photo editing a bit of a pain in the ass because it can distort the colors you see on the screen a little bit. It's certainly not a deal-breaker, especially since you can turn it on and off as you wish, but it's worth noting.
iPad 9 vs. iPad 8: Should you upgrade?
If you already have an iPad 9, you certainly won't be missing out on a ton if you don't upgrade to the iPad 9 this year. It's definitely not a "must-have," but if you do many video calls on your iPad, that new front camera will be a huge improvement. However, the overall performance of the iPad 9 will only be marginally better than the iPad 8.
If you're upgrading from the iPad 7 or earlier or you play on buying your first iPad, then I totally think the iPad 9 is well worth it. It provides incredible value and usability for a great price, and as Apple would say, it's the best the iPad has ever been.
A few notable improvements
The iPad 9 is the best base iPad there has ever been. With its A13 Bionic chip, 12 MP front-facing camera, and a True Tone display, the Pad finally has some great features people have wanted for years.
Look for deals
The truth is the iPad 8 won't be easy to find anymore, but it also means that you could find a good deal on one somewhere. It's still a great tablet, and if you find a good deal, it's likely worth picking up.
