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I reckon the least expensive foolproof option is for OP to get an out of warranty repair from Apple.

Likely cheaper than buying a 256GB 9th gen from Apple refurb and it's the same quality.
thats $249 OoW.

would be silly to spend that kind of money on a 9th gen repair.

they could nearly buy a brand new one, and even recoop from selling the old/broken one.
 
thats $249 OoW.

would be silly to spend that kind of money on a 9th gen repair.

they could nearly buy a brand new one, and even recoop from selling the old/broken one.

I wouldn't do it either but OP seems adamant about keeping the 3.5mm headphone jack. The 9th gen is the last iPad that still had it.
 
Too late now, but if ever you have the last of something in future, it would be worth getting AC+ so that an accident doesn’t force you to upgrade to something that doesn’t meet your needs.

Worth considering if you do buy a refurb 9th gen from Apple, as AC+ can be added to those.
 
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plugging in a usb-c adapter is just as easy as plugging in a 3.5mm jack.

Personal experience is that adapters mean that the person on the end of FaceTime can’t hear you. My adapter itself worked fine for 18 months - 2 years maybe before it was temperamental. I gave up and bought USB-C wired earphones and then AirPods when the 4s got ANC.
 
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