What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 9th Gen (2021) models?

There are four iPad 9th Gen models -- the iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA), iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), and iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China) -- commonly referred to as the iPad 9 for simplicity.

These four tablets vary by location sold, network connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price. There are a variety of similarities that are valuable to understand, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 9th Generation)

Device Similarities

Each iPad 9 model uses effectively the same, now vintage, design, with a glass front with significant bezels around the display and an aluminum back. Case color choices are a white front and silver-colored back or a black front and "Space Gray" back.

Every configuration weighs around a pound, with the cellular-equipped options a bit heavier than the Wi-Fi one. All are compatible with the original Apple Pencil (MK0C2AM/A) as well as a size-specific Apple Smart Keyboard (MPTL2LL/A) that uses the "Smart Connector" to connect to the iPad.

All iPad 9 tablets share the same screen, which is a glossy 10.2" IPS LED-backlit 2160x1620 (264 ppi) display with 500 nits of brightness, True Tone capability, and an "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coating.

The iPad 9 models are powered by a 2.6 GHz six-core Apple A13 Bionic processor with a Neural Engine. They have 3 GB of RAM and can be configured with either 64 GB or 256 GB of storage.

Likewise, all iPad 9 models use the same cameras -- a rear 8 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills, Live Photos, and 1080p 30 fps video and a front 12 megapixel camera with a f/2.4 aperture that is capable of shooting HDR photos and 1080p 60 fps video. The front camera supports the "Center Stage" feature that automatically tracks and zooms to keep subjects in frame, too.

Other features that all of the iPad 9 models share include a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button, a "Lightning" port for power and connectivity, support for dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO, and Bluetooth 4.2. They each also have identical accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass and barometer.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad 9 models each shipped with iPadOS 15, the current version of the iOS, and also are compatible with Apple Pay, but only for apps and not for use within retail stores.

Identification Differences

Just like numerous other iPad tablets, if they're sitting side-by-side, it's easy to differentiate between the Wi-Fi Only and cellular-capable iPad 9 models because the cellular models have a plastic portion at the top rear of their aluminum cases.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 9 Cellular Backs)

However, because many other iPad models look nearly identical, visual identification is not a good identification method in the real-world.

Accordingly, one of the best ways to identify these models externally is via Model Number. Model numbers are listed in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad:

iPad 9 Model	Model No
iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi Only)	A2602
iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA)	A2603
iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global)	A2604
iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China)	A2605

Initially, iPad 9 models with cellular are unlikely to be found in the same location, but they inevitably will find their way around the world with time on the used market.

The iPad 9 models also can be uniquely identified by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number. The Order Number can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi + Cellular configuration of the iPad 9 in "Space Gray" with 256 GB of storage sold in the United States is MK693LL/A.

To track down a particular iPad 9 by a variety of different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As mentioned above, the iPad 9 tablets primarily are differentiated by connectivity and battery life. While using Wi-Fi, all models provide up to of ten hours of runtime, but cellular configurations only provide up to nine hours of runtime when connected to a cellular network.

All cellular iPad 8 models support A-GPS, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), but Gigabit-class LTE cellular connectivity varies accordingly:

iPad	Model	4G LTE Bands
10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi Only)	A2602	None
10.2" 9th Gen (Cellular, US/CA)	A2603	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
10.2" 9th Gen (Cellular, Global)	A2604	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
10.2" 9th Gen (Cellular, China)	A2605	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66

Each cellular iPad 9 ships unlocked. In the United States, the default tablet works with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

In many countries, if purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller -- like site sponsor Adorama -- cellular iPad 9 models also ship with an "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card, but it has some limitations.

Pricing Comparison Chart

iPad 9 pricing is the same regardless of color and differentiated by capacity and connectivity.

United States	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$329	US$479
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$459	US$609

Canada:	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	C$429	C$629
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	C$599	C$799

United Kingdom:	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	£319	£459
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	£439	£579

Australia:	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	A$499	A$729
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	A$699	A$929

Singapore:	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	S$499	S$729
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	S$699	S$929

Mainland China:	32 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	RMB 2,499	RMB 3,699
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	RMB 3,499	RMB 4,699

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

The iPad 9 is not the highest performance tablet, but it is inexpensive. It also provides a relatively large and bright display, respectable cameras, decent global connectivity as an option, and support for the original Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard. The iPad 9 is a solid value for an entry-level tablet.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).