Apple quietly kills the old-school iPad and its headphone jack

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Apple's discontinuation of the 9th-generation iPad, which was the last iPad model with a headphone jack, and the introduction of the 10th-generation iPad at a lower price point.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Apple's Discontinuation of the 9th-Gen iPad

1. What were the key features of the 9th-generation iPad?

• It was the last iPad model to have a headphone jack, which was a nice perk for users who prefer wired headphones.
• It had an outdated design but was still a speedy entertainment device that was frequently on sale for less than the 10th-gen iPad.
• It lacked support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil.

2. Why was the 9th-gen iPad often recommended to users on a budget?

• The 9th-gen iPad was frequently on sale for far less than the 10th-gen iPad, which was priced higher despite not offering significantly better features.
• The 9th-gen iPad provided good value as a budget-friendly entertainment device, even with its outdated design and lack of Apple Pencil 2 support.

[02] The 10th-Gen iPad

1. What are the key features of the 10th-generation iPad?

• It has a 10.9-inch screen and USB-C support, similar to the iPad Air.
• It received a $100 price cut, now starting at $449.

2. Why was the initial price increase for the 10th-gen iPad not considered justified?

• The now last-gen iPad Air was often on sale for around the same price as the 10th-gen iPad, but offered a faster processor, nicer display, and compatibility with a wider range of accessories like the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil.

3. How does the new $349 price point for the 10th-gen iPad make it more recommendable?

• The $100 price cut makes the 10th-gen iPad more sensibly priced, making it easier to recommend as a budget-friendly option.