iPad A13 Bionic 2021

All iPad (9th Gen) tablets, including this Wi-Fi and cellular A2605 model (sold only in mainland China and lacking eSIM support), are housed in silver or "Space Gray" cases. They feature a 10.2" 2160x1620 (264 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive "Retina" display with True Tone. Each has a "Touch ID" sensor, supports the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A), and includes a "Smart Connector" for an Apple Smart Keyboard.

Each iPad (9th Gen) is powered by a six-core 2.6 GHz Apple A13 Bionic processor, has 3 GB of RAM, and is available with either 64 GB or 256 GB of flash storage.

The iPad (9th Gen) models also feature a rear 8-megapixel camera for stills, Live Photos, and HD video (1080p at 25/30 fps), and a front 12-megapixel "Ultra Wide" camera with a 122-degree field of view. This "FaceTime HD" camera shoots 1080p at 25/30/60 fps, supports cinematic video stabilization, and introduces the "Center Stage" feature for automatic subject tracking.

Other features include dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, and stereo speakers. A Lightning port provides power and connectivity.

Battery life for this cellular-capable model is rated at 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video" and up to 9 hours on a cellular network.

This China-only Wi-Fi/Cellular A2605 model supports GPS/GNSS and 4G LTE, excluding Band 71 (600 MHz). It has a hardware Nano-SIM but does not support Apple SIM or eSIM.

The 2021 iPad (9th Gen) for the China market, model A2605, was seen as a substantial upgrade that delivered excellent value. The performance boost from the A13 Bionic chip was a key improvement, making the device feel much faster and more capable. The most celebrated new feature was the 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage, which dramatically improved the quality of video calls. The display was also enhanced with True Tone technology for more comfortable viewing, and the base storage was thankfully doubled to 64GB. This model's cellular support was optimized for Chinese carriers, providing reliable connectivity for users there. Although it retained the older design with a Home button and Lightning port, the meaningful internal upgrades made it a very compelling choice for mainstream consumers in China, offering a great balance of performance and price.