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I could maybe understand from a phone perspective (other brands managed to squeeze in a headphone jack, bunch of **** for apple’s excuse), but the iPad has far more internal space for a headphone jack. What could they need that the little jack takes minuscule space on? I’m one of the minority that uses the headphone jack so I’m pretty disappointed on this move. Guess the 9th gen iPad is for me.
 
I could maybe understand from a phone perspective (other brands managed to squeeze in a headphone jack, bunch of **** for apple’s excuse), but the iPad has far more internal space for a headphone jack. What could they need that the little jack takes minuscule space on? I’m one of the minority that uses the headphone jack so I’m pretty disappointed on this move. Guess the 9th gen iPad is for me.
It has the headphone jack;
It's flat, sleek, has contoured edges, a small chin and forehead useful to grip between thumbs and forefingers, and s mature, no-nonsense rectangular screen with corners;
It doesn't have a laminated screen (see also 10th generation);
It's really good value (although in the UK, go John Lewis or Amazon rather than Apple) (don't see also 10th generation);
It's a no-brainer!
 
My guess is that most people just use the iPad for surfing the web and watching some youtube/netflix etc.
64GB is more than they will ever need.

At least that is how it has always been for me. And Apple surely has the statistics for it internally.

That’s how it is for me with my Mini 5 mostly. I used to be a solid wired-headphone adherent (with my Sony MDR-7506’s) too, but after I started using wireless ones (XM4’s and AP Pros) with my desktops at home, it was only a matter of time before I started doing that with my mobile devices as well.

That said, I’m sure once some Apple exec(s) saw how this cost-cutting/upselling move worked out, it was only a matter of time before this became the official way forward for them.
 
Our district has been slowly moving away from iPads (high schools, then middle schools, and soon elementary in the next couple years) because Apple devices have been becoming increasingly tough to manage, especially compared to laptops and Chromebooks. It’s sad but I don’t think Apple values it’s education market all that much.
In contrast our district has gone all in on Apple in the classroom in the past few years. iPads for all students, M1 MacBook Airs for the teachers and staff, Apple TVs in each classroom connected to the projectors for screen sharing. Everything is managed via profiles or carts prewired with lightning cables for updates and management. They use cheap headphones and logitech cases/keyboards/pencils to cut costs.
 
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