Apple cut the U.S. list price of the 10th-generation iPad by $100 on May 7, 2024, from $449 to $349 for the 64GB Wi‑Fi model, and removed the 9th-generation iPad from its lineup. The iPad 10 became the direct budget replacement, while the iPad 9 remained available only through remaining third-party inventory. This was a historical 2024 change; Apple’s lineup has since moved on to newer models, including an iPad with an A16 chip.
What changed on May 7, 2024?
Apple announced the repositioning during its “Let Loose” event, alongside new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. It did not introduce a new standard iPad that day; it reduced the price of the existing iPad 10 and retired the iPad 9 from Apple’s catalog.
| Model and configuration | Before May 7, 2024 | After May 7, 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 10, 64GB Wi‑Fi | $449 | $349 | -$100 |
| iPad 10, 256GB Wi‑Fi | $599 | $499 | -$100 |
| iPad 9, 64GB Wi‑Fi | $329 starting price | Removed from Apple’s lineup | Discontinued by Apple |
These are U.S. consumer list prices before sales tax for Wi‑Fi models. Cellular pricing, education pricing, taxes and prices in other countries are separate. Apple’s announcement and contemporary pricing report are documented by 9to5Mac.
Why the decision mattered
The iPad 9 launched at $329, so the iPad 10’s new $349 price entered essentially the same budget category—though it was still $20 more, not the identical price. The move also ended Apple’s traditional full-size entry-level design: thick top and bottom bezels, a physical Home button and a Lightning port. Contemporary coverage described it as the end of the Home-button iPad era, although Apple did not use that phrase as an official product slogan.
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- USB-C connector for charging and accessories - Works with Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Magic Keyboard Folio
iPad 10 versus iPad 9
| Feature | iPad 10 | iPad 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 10th | 9th |
| Display | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 × 1640 | 10.2-inch Retina, 2160 × 1620 |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide, 4K video | 8MP Wide, 1080p video |
| Front camera | 12MP Ultra Wide, landscape Center Stage | 12MP Ultra Wide Center Stage |
| Connector | USB‑C | Lightning |
| Touch ID | Top button | Home button |
| Wi‑Fi and cellular | Wi‑Fi 6; 5G cellular option | 802.11ac; 4G LTE option |
| Storage | 64GB or 256GB | 64GB or 256GB |
| Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and first-generation Apple Pencil with adapter requirements | First-generation Apple Pencil |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard Folio | Smart Keyboard |
Specifications are from Apple’s comparison page: Apple iPad comparison. Apple rates both generations for up to 10 hours of Wi‑Fi web browsing or video playback under its stated battery-test conditions.
What the iPad 10 buyer gains
- A larger 10.9-inch display in a modern, thinner-bezel chassis.
- USB‑C for newer cables, hubs and chargers.
- An A14 Bionic chip and a 12MP rear camera capable of 4K video.
- A landscape-positioned front camera that is better aligned for horizontal video calls.
- Wi‑Fi 6 and a 5G cellular option.
- Touch ID in the top button rather than the front bezel.
- Compatibility with Magic Keyboard Folio.
The value is broader than raw processor speed: port choice, camera placement, design and accessories can matter more in everyday school, family and office use.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
What the iPad 10 buyer gives up
- The $349 configuration still includes only 64GB. Games, downloaded video, photos and school files can fill it quickly; the 256GB version costs $150 more at the post-cut Wi‑Fi list price.
- Lightning accessories do not plug in directly. Moving from an iPad 9 may require USB‑C cables, adapters or a new hub.
- The first-generation Apple Pencil uses Lightning, making pairing and charging less convenient; the USB‑C Apple Pencil is the more natural match.
- There is no physical Home button. Touch ID remains, but gesture navigation and the top-button sensor replace the old layout.
Which model makes financial sense?
Choose the iPad 10 when
- You are buying new from Apple or another reputable seller and the price gap to an iPad 9 is small.
- You need USB‑C, landscape video calls, Wi‑Fi 6, 5G or Magic Keyboard Folio support.
- You want the newer design and are comfortable with gesture navigation.
Consider an iPad 9 only at a substantial discount
Remaining stock can still appear at retailers, refurbishers and marketplaces. Contemporary May 2024 reports saw some third-party prices around $249, but that was an observed clearance signal, not a permanent price. An iPad 9 is most defensible when it is meaningfully cheaper—roughly $100 below an equivalent iPad 10—and your use is browsing, streaming, reading or light schoolwork.
- Verify the seller, warranty, return period, storage and Wi‑Fi or cellular configuration.
- Confirm whether the unit is new, refurbished or open-box.
- Existing Lightning accessories and a preference for the Home button can improve the older model’s practical value.
Consider a newer iPad instead
As of August 2026, Apple’s comparison page highlights newer hardware, including an iPad with an A16 chip. A newer model may be the better long-term purchase if you want a newer processor, more expected support life, more than 64GB without paying the iPad 10’s 256GB premium, Apple Intelligence-related capabilities where supported, a laminated higher-end display or advanced accessories. Check Apple’s current store and compatibility information rather than treating the 2024 price as current.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
The real cost of the $349 configuration
The headline price covers only a 64GB Wi‑Fi tablet. Budget for the configuration and accessories you actually need:
- Storage: 64GB suits lighter use; frequent downloads, large games, photo libraries or extensive school files favor 256GB.
- Connectivity: The $349 figure does not apply to cellular models, whose prices and service costs differ.
- Stylus: Casual users may need no Pencil. Note-takers and artists should compare the USB‑C Pencil with the first-generation Pencil’s adapter requirements.
- Keyboard: Magic Keyboard Folio support helps with typing, but a keyboard case can materially raise the total and narrow the gap to a laptop or higher-tier tablet.
- Adapters: Owners moving from Lightning may need USB‑C cables or adapters.
What “discontinued” means for iPad 9 availability
Apple removing the iPad 9 from its lineup did not erase every unit from the market on May 7, 2024. Retailers could sell existing stock, and refurbished sellers could offer used devices. Apple was no longer manufacturing or presenting it as a current product, but availability and pricing depended on each seller. Discontinuation alone also does not establish a specific software-support end date; do not assume updates stopped immediately.
Rank #4
How the event fits Apple’s broader lineup
The same May 7 event introduced 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models, M4 iPad Pro models, Apple Pencil Pro and a new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. Those launches provided context, but the budget story was the iPad 10’s repositioning and the retirement of the iPad 9. Apple’s official launch background is available in its iPad 10 newsroom announcement and its iPad 9 newsroom announcement.
Historical update
The $349 price and iPad 9 discontinuation were announced on May 7, 2024. They should not be read as an August 2026 Apple product announcement or as proof that the iPad 10 is still the company’s newest entry-level iPad. For current availability, compare models on Apple’s live comparison page and check the Apple Store.
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Best Value
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
The Bottom Line
The iPad 10 was the clear new-buy replacement once Apple cut its 64GB Wi‑Fi list price to $349 in May 2024. The iPad 9 is worth considering only when clearance pricing is substantially lower or when its Home button and Lightning accessories solve a specific need.
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.
