iPad (2021) vs iPad (2020): all the differences at a glance

Apple recently released a new entry-level tablet. It is the ninth generation iPad, also known as the iPad 2021. But what are the improvements over its predecessor?

iPad 2021 vs iPad 2020: the differences

The iPad line-up consists of four different models. The iPad mini is handy, the iPad Pro is aimed at the professional user and the iPad Air is considered the golden mean. The Air has a larger screen than the mini, but isn’t as expensive and advanced as the iPad Pro.

In addition, Apple sells a ‘normal’ iPad. It’s the cheapest tablet the company sells, and it’s gotten some nice improvements. For example, there is a faster processor, better camera and a better screen. In this article we will discuss the differences between the iPad 2021 and iPad 2020.

1. Design

Apple gave its entry-level tablet nice improvements, but the looks are familiar. While Apple recently gave the iPad mini a modern look, the iPad 2021 still has to make do with the traditional design. The home button with Touch ID is therefore still there – and the relatively wide edges are also still present.

Furthermore, the iPad 2021 and iPad 2020 are almost identical. Almost, because there is a slight difference in color. The front of the silver version is black; in the previous generation it was still white. You also have the choice of space gray again. The gold color option is gone.

2. Display: True Tone

Both models are equipped with a 10.2-inch Retina display, with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels and a pixel density of 264 ppi. But there is one important difference: the screen of the iPad 2021 supports True Tone.

True Tone technology adapts the color temperature of the screen to your environment. This makes the colors look more natural. For example, if you use the iPad in the evening near a lamp, the screen will slightly take over the yellow color. If you go outside with the iPad on a cloudy day, the screen will turn blue and cooler.

The function has been present for years with the other iPad models and the iPhone, but is therefore finding its way to the entry-level tablet for the first time.

3. More powerful processor

The ninth generation iPad makes a leap when it comes to processing power. It contains an A13 Bionic chip, which Apple had previously developed for the iPhone 11 (Pro) and iPhone SE. According to Apple, the processor makes the iPad 2021 about twenty percent faster than the iPad 2020. The chip is also more energy-efficient.

The difference in power isn’t huge, but you can notice it on some tasks. For example when editing videos or applications with augmented reality. It also makes the iPad slightly more future-proof, because the tablet will probably receive software updates for a year longer.

4. Camera: better with video calling

Now that we have started video calling more and more, the selfie camera has become more important. That is why Apple has given the front camera of the iPad 2021 a major upgrade. While you previously had to make do with 1.2 megapixels, the front camera now has ten times as many pixels. This 12-megapixel camera has an ultra-wide angle lens, which means you can capture a lot more in a frame.

Recording videos is also better with that camera: the resolution is slightly higher with 1080p than before (720p). This way you have a sharper image during video calls. Also new is the Center point function. It uses the ultra-wide angle lens and machine learning to keep you centered in the frame during video calling.

Apple hasn’t changed anything about the rear camera, because the new iPad 2021 has an 8-megapixel camera again. This makes the selfie camera remarkably better than the rear lens.

5. Specifications: few differences

Other than that, there are almost no differences between the iPad 9 and iPad 8. They both have a Lightning port, are compatible with the older Apple Pencil (first generation) and you can connect the Smart Keyboard to them.

The battery life is also unchanged. According to Apple, you can surf the Internet via Wi-Fi or watch videos for about 10 hours on a single charge. That is 9 hours via a mobile data network. The iPads also have two speakers and support for Bluetooth 4.2.

buy iPad 2021

Do you want to buy the iPad 2021? The entry-level tablet has a starting price of 389 euros. That’s the same price as the iPad 2020 had last year. If you also want to access the internet without a WiFi connection, you need the version with 4G (Apple calls it WiFi + Cellular). This iPad costs 529 euros. The iPad has 64GB of storage by default, but you can expand this to 256GB.

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