Walmart’s $299 iPad 9th-generation deal was real, but it was a September 2021 preorder—not a current offer. The promotion covered the 64GB Wi‑Fi model, cutting its then-standard $329 price by $30. No current Walmart listing confirming that same price was found, so the old headline should not be read as a live deal.
What Walmart’s original $299 offer included
AppleInsider reported the promotion on September 16, 2021, shortly after Apple announced the tablet. It was a preorder deal on the iPad 9th generation, with the offer subject to supply limits. The model officially went on sale September 24, 2021; contemporaneous coverage said orders were expected to ship around September 29.
| Offer detail | What the 2021 promotion covered |
|---|---|
| Retailer | Walmart |
| Price | $299 |
| Then-standard price | $329 |
| Discount | $30 |
| Configuration | 64GB, Wi‑Fi only |
| Colors | Silver or Space Gray |
| Offer type | Preorder, while supplies lasted |
AppleInsider’s September 16, 2021 deal report and a contemporaneous MacRumors deal discussion document the price and configuration. Apple’s launch announcement confirms the September 24 release date.
What the iPad 9th generation offers
This is a 2021 entry-level iPad built around an A13 Bionic chip and a 10.2-inch Retina display with a 2160 × 1620 resolution. It has a Home button with Touch ID, a Lightning port, a headphone jack, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. Storage options at launch were 64GB and 256GB; the Walmart deal was for the smaller capacity.
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- Cameras: 8MP Wide rear camera and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, with Center Stage support.
- Battery claim: Up to 10 hours of web browsing over Wi‑Fi or video playback, according to Apple’s specifications.
- Weight: Approximately 1.07 pounds for the Wi‑Fi model.
- In the box: Apple listed a 20W USB‑C power adapter.
Apple’s technical specifications provide the full hardware details. The model also remains listed as compatible with iPadOS 26 in Apple’s compatibility guide. Compatibility does not make it equivalent to newer iPads: it has older hardware and does not gain their newer ports or designs.
Why “brand-new” is misleading now
“Brand-new” described the iPad’s status when it was announced in 2021. In 2026, the 9th generation is an older model, not a newly released iPad. Unopened old stock may still appear at retailers, and refurbished units are available, but the condition and seller matter. The 2021 Walmart preorder should not be presented as proof of current stock or pricing.
Rank #2
- 10.2-inch Retina display
Apple’s store has listed certified-refurbished 64GB 9th-generation iPads, including a Wi‑Fi model and a Wi‑Fi + Cellular model. When those pages were checked, their displayed prices were $269 and $319 respectively; prices and availability can change. Those listings are refurbished Apple products, not new Walmart inventory.
- Apple Certified Refurbished 64GB Wi‑Fi iPad 9th generation
- Apple Certified Refurbished 64GB Wi‑Fi + Cellular iPad 9th generation
Apple’s refurbished listing states that certified-refurbished products include a one-year limited warranty, new battery, and new outer shell. Confirm the live listing’s price, stock, and terms before ordering.
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Rank #3
- Gorgeous 10.2-Inch Retina Display - A12 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine
Is a 9th-generation iPad still worth buying?
It can suit basic tablet use
For browsing, email, streaming, reading, schoolwork, video calls, and light note-taking, the iPad 9 can still cover common needs. Center Stage is useful for supported video calls, while the Home button and headphone jack may be advantages for buyers who prefer those features. It is also compatible with iPadOS 26, although future software support is not guaranteed indefinitely.
Its compromises are more noticeable with demanding use
The A13 chip is several generations old, and 64GB can fill quickly with games, downloaded video, and photos. Lightning limits compatibility with newer USB‑C accessories, the display is surrounded by larger bezels, and Apple Pencil support is limited to the first-generation model. For heavy multitasking, large creative projects, demanding games, or a longer useful life, a newer iPad with a newer chip, USB‑C, and more storage is the stronger direction to consider. Compare current prices and configurations rather than assuming the old $299 offer is a meaningful benchmark.
Rank #4
- 10.2-inch Retina display
How to check a current Walmart listing
Search results can preserve an expired deal headline, and a current result may refer to a different generation or a used unit. Before treating any listing as a bargain, inspect the product page and checkout details:
- Confirm the generation and model number. Do not assume a listing titled “iPad” is the 9th generation; Walmart may be showing a newer model.
- Check storage and connectivity. Verify whether it is 64GB or 256GB and Wi‑Fi or Wi‑Fi + Cellular. The historical $299 offer was 64GB Wi‑Fi only.
- Read the condition carefully. Distinguish new, open-box, refurbished, and used listings. A low price for a refurbished or used device is not the same offer as the 2021 preorder.
- Identify the seller. Confirm whether Walmart itself or a Marketplace vendor is selling it; marketplace sellers can have different return and warranty terms.
- Review the full purchase terms. Check shipping, delivery estimate, return policy, warranty coverage, and whether the price requires a promotion, sign-in, or store-specific availability.
- Verify the checkout total. Regional stock, tax, shipping, and any required membership or promotion can change what you actually pay.
Which option makes sense for your budget?
If you specifically want a Home button and headphone jack and will use the tablet for everyday tasks, a 9th-generation iPad can make sense at a suitably low price. At $299 new with a full retailer warranty, it may be reasonable for light use, but it is not automatically the best value. At that price refurbished, compare the seller’s warranty and return terms with Apple’s certified-refurbished offer. Above $300, compare newer entry-level iPads, especially if USB‑C, more storage, or longer expected useful life matters to you.
Best Value
- Gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone - A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- 8MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay - Stereo speakers
For the lowest-risk older-model purchase, Apple Certified Refurbished offers a stated warranty proposition; an unidentified Marketplace seller should not be assumed to provide equivalent coverage. The Apple iPad comparison tool can help distinguish the 9th generation from the 10th generation. Check current availability and pricing directly before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
