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Following the announcement of the 10th-generation iPad, the ninth-generation model remains available from Apple for the same $329 starting price.

ipad-9-apple-pencil.jpg

The 64GB and 256GB ninth-generation iPad models continue to be available for $329 and $479, respectively. They are still offered in the same Silver and Space Gray color options, meaning that there has been no change to the pricing or available configurations of the device.

The ninth-generation iPad features a 10.2-inch display with True Tone, a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, and the A13 Bionic chip. The new, 10th-generation iPad now sits above the ninth-generation model in the lineup and starts at $449, featuring a new design, a 10.9-inch display, a USB-C port, the A14 Bionic chip, a landscape front-facing camera, support for the Magic Keyboard Folio, and more.

Article Link: Ninth-Gen iPad Still Available for Same $329 Starting Price
 
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In all seriousness I’ll probably just hang on to my 9th gen with Combo Touch. It’s a far better value than the 10 (and the Combo Touch basically offers all the same functionality of the new Folio—backlit keys, function row, great trackpad—at $100 less).
 
So now we have the following iPads:

9th Gen iPad: $329
10th Gen iPad: $449
iPad Mini: $499
iPad Air: $599
iPad Pro 11" $799
iPad Pro 12" $1099

It's nice to have options at different price points, but it's getting too confusing. 9th gen v 10th gen vs Air vs Pro. The average consumer can't keep track of all of this.
 
Imagine having to explain with a straight face to the average consumer the difference between an iPad, an iPad, and an iPad Air. Imagine that consumer ever having a positive feeling about that interaction. This is the stuff that ruins brands.
 
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And it requires the gen 1 pencil too? So the new iPad doing same isn't really the downgrade I've been thinking. The DongleSwap for USB-C is odd, but whatever.

But it is odd that the Mini uses the gen 2 pencil, and the larger iPad is stuck with the gen 1. I remember Target was clearancing the gen 1 out at one point. Probably should have snagged a few maybe? Maybe they were open box or something...
 
So now we have the following iPads:

9th Gen iPad: $329
10th Gen iPad: $449
iPad Mini: $499
iPad Air: $599
iPad Pro 11" $799
iPad Pro 12" $1099

It's nice to have options at different price points, but it's getting too confusing. 9th gen v 10th gen vs Air vs Pro. The average consumer can't keep track of all of this.

I agree. Some selection and choices are good, but its becoming a bit much. They do a good job of hitting many price points, but the 10th gen iPad, Air, and 11" Pro feel like a lot of overlap.

Remove the Pros for this argument:

10th gen vs Air. Look near identical. But the 10th gen has a refreshing look with the new colours, and camera moved to the horizontal position. But the Air has M1 and Stage Manager! But then the 10th gen gets the new Magic Keyboard folio. But the Air has a laminated display and can use the Pencil 2!

I feel like these two products really should be one.
 
It’s becoming more difficult to stay within the Apple ecosystem with these price increases and minimal updates.

Thankfully my iPhone 12 Pro Max is still plenty good enough in todays standards. My Apple Watch S4 is still hanging on in there! My 10.5” iPad Pro still going strong and so is my late 2015 maxed out 27” iMac! All be it MacOS support!
 
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It’s becoming more difficult to stay within the Apple ecosystem with these price increases and minimal updates.

Thankfully my iPhone 12 Pro Max is still plenty good enough in todays standards. My Apple Watch S4 is still hanging on in there! My 10.5” iPad Pro still going strong and so is my late 2015 maxed out 27” iMac! All be it MacOS support!

iPhone 12? I got a cracked XS Max from my friend last year. After some number crunching, it made more sense to just pay the $330 to Apple for a new screen than fork over $1000 for a new iPhone.
 
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