Apple iPad (9th generation) vs Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2)
Verdict: The iPad Pro 11-inch M2 wins decisively with its 120 Hz XDR display and M2 chip providing 1.8x CPU gains over the A13 (per Geekbench 5). The 9th-gen iPad remains viable only for basic tasks at a lower cost but trails in every performance metric and display quality. The Pro model also supports Apple Pencil hover and Thunderbolt connectivity per Apple's official specs.
Winner: Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2)
Apple iPad (9th generation): 5.5/10
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2): 8.5/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Apple iPad (9th generation) | Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2) | |
|---|---|---|
| display | 10.2-inch Retina LCD 2160x1620 | 11-inch Liquid Retina XDR 2388x1668 120Hz |
| chip | A13 Bionic | M2 |
| ram | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| storage_options | 64-256 GB | 128-2048 GB |
Apple iPad (9th generation)
What works
- Lowest entry price among current iPads at typical used/refurb prices
- 10-hour battery life in mixed use (per Apple specs)
- Supports Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard
What doesn't
- Only 60 Hz refresh rate with no ProMotion
- No Thunderbolt or USB-C fast charging support
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2)
What works
- 120 Hz ProMotion display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness
- M2 chip delivers 1.8x faster CPU performance than A13 (per Geekbench 5)
- Thunderbolt/USB4 port with 40 Gbps bandwidth
What doesn't
- Higher starting price than 9th-gen iPad
- No Face ID on 2022 M2 model (Touch ID only)
Bottom line
Our pick: Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M2).
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