Best Buy is listing the Apple Refurbished Excellent iPad 9th Generation (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB, Space Gray) at $197.99 — a $232 savings against the comparable value of $429.98 — with free shipping. That price sits below the $200 threshold at a moment when new Apple hardware is more expensive than it was a year ago: Apple imposed mid-cycle price increases on every iPad it sells in June 2026, driven by the ongoing DRAM shortage pushing memory costs to record levels. The refurbished path has always offered savings; in 2026 it offers more of them than usual.

One caveat upfront: the iPad 9th generation does not support Apple Intelligence — Apple's AI feature set that arrives with iPadOS 27 in fall 2026. If AI-assisted writing tools, image generation, or the new Siri are part of what you are buying an iPad for, this device cannot deliver them, because its chip does not meet Apple's hardware requirements for Apple Intelligence. That is not a flaw — it is a hardware boundary defined by the chip — but it is the single most important fact to know before clicking buy.

The deal is live at Best Buy with free shipping as of July 29, 2026, and available for delivery or in-store pickup. Best Buy notes limited quantities without rainchecks.

What the $197.99 Gets You

The iPad 9th generation, launched in September 2021 and discontinued by Apple in May 2024, is built around the A13 Bionic chip — the same silicon Apple introduced in the iPhone 11 in 2019. The chip runs a six-core CPU with two higher-performance Lightning cores and four efficiency Thunder cores, paired with a four-core GPU and 3GB of LPDDR4X RAM. In 2026, that combination handles the workloads most tablet buyers actually do: streaming video, browsing, FaceTime, notes, email, and light gaming. It does not handle Apple Intelligence, 4K video recording, or the kind of sustained creative workloads that push M-series chips.

The 10.2-inch Retina IPS LCD panel delivers 2160 × 1620 resolution at 264 pixels per inch with True Tone color adjustment. Note that the display is not laminated: there is an air gap between the glass and the LCD panel, which reduces the sense of pixels sitting directly under your finger and can make the screen look slightly less vivid than the laminated displays on the iPad Air and iPad Pro lineup. For streaming, reading, and everyday use, it is perfectly adequate. For serious photo editing or design, the gap is noticeable.

The front camera is genuinely useful for video calls in 2026: a 12MP Ultra Wide sensor with Center Stage, Apple's AI-driven feature that pans and zooms to keep you centered in frame as you move. The rear camera is an 8MP shooter capable of 1080p video at 30 fps. Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours of web browsing or video.

Connectivity runs on Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with 2×2 MIMO at speeds up to 866 Mbps — not the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) that appears in newer iPads, but more than sufficient for streaming 4K content and video calls on typical home routers. Bluetooth 4.2 handles accessories. The charging and data port is Lightning — not USB-C — which means only the Apple Pencil 1st generation is compatible; the Apple Pencil 2nd generation and Apple Pencil Pro do not work with this device.

Does the iPad 9th Gen Still Get Software Updates?

Yes — and this is where the 9th gen holds up better than its age suggests. Apple's support page confirms the iPad 9th generation is compatible with iPadOS 26 (the current release, with iPadOS 26.4 released March 24, 2026) and is listed on Apple's iPadOS 27 compatibility roster, meaning it will receive the next major OS update when it ships in fall 2026. A third-party guide from June 2026 identifies the iPad 9th gen as the lowest-priced iPad model that supports the latest iPadOS 27, calling it a top value recommendation at around $170 and above.

What iPadOS 27 will not bring to the 9th gen is Apple Intelligence. The feature set requires at least an A17 Pro chip or an M-series chip — hardware the A13 Bionic cannot clear. If that matters to you, the entry point for Apple Intelligence on an iPad is the iPad mini with A17 Pro or the iPad Air with M1 or newer — all of which carry significantly higher price tags than $197.99.

What "Refurbished Excellent" Means at Best Buy

Best Buy's "Refurbished Excellent" grade sits at the top of its used-device tiers and designates units that have been inspected and certified to show little to no visible cosmetic wear. The retailer backs purchases in this tier with its standard return policy. Warranty coverage on Best Buy refurbished Apple units varies by listing — confirm the specific warranty terms on the product page before purchase, as some listings carry a 90-day limited warranty rather than the full Apple One-Year Limited Warranty.

One piece of market context: this same device has appeared at lower prices at other points in 2026. A February 2026 listing on Slickdeals showed a Best Buy refurbished iPad 9th gen (Excellent, 64GB) at $175, with community members noting the device had reportedly sold for as low as $120 in earlier deals. At $197.99, the current listing is not a record low, but it is a confirmed available price from a major retailer with buyer protection — which matters for buyers who missed earlier flash deals.

Best Buy's stated "comparable value" of $429.98 reflects its own pricing methodology and should not be read as the current retail price of a new iPad 9th generation. Apple discontinued the 9th gen in May 2024, and it is no longer sold new by Apple directly.

Who Should Buy This Device?

The $197.99 refurbished iPad 9th gen makes clear sense for a specific type of buyer: someone who needs a reliable, well-built Apple tablet for video calls, streaming, reading, email, and basic apps — and who is not planning to use Apple Intelligence features. Students doing online coursework, seniors who want a large-screen FaceTime device, parents looking for a supervised tablet for children, and gift buyers who want the Apple ecosystem entry point at the lowest defensible price all fit that profile.

Buyers who should look higher up the lineup: anyone who wants Apple Intelligence writing tools, Genmoji, or the new Siri in iPadOS 27; anyone who needs Face ID (the 9th gen uses Touch ID); anyone who wants a laminated, edge-to-edge display design; or anyone who needs USB-C connectivity for accessories or faster data transfer. The iPad 10th generation introduces USB-C and a new design at a higher price point. The iPad Air with M1 unlocks Apple Intelligence and adds a laminated display, starting around $499 new — a gap of roughly $300 from this refurbished deal.

The deal is live at Best Buy with free shipping as of July 29, 2026, and available for delivery or in-store pickup. Best Buy notes limited quantities without rainchecks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPad 9th gen support Apple Intelligence in iPadOS 27?

No. Apple Intelligence requires at least an A17 Pro chip or an M-series chip — all qualifying iPads also carry at least 8GB of RAM, a threshold the iPad 9th generation's 3GB cannot meet. The iPad 9th generation has an A13 Bionic chip with 3GB of RAM and does not meet either threshold. It will receive iPadOS 27 itself, but the Apple Intelligence features — including Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, and the enhanced Siri — will not be available on this device.

What is the difference between the iPad 9th gen and the iPad 10th gen at this price?

The iPad 10th generation (released October 2022, discontinued March 2025) introduced a redesigned body with a larger 10.9-inch laminated display, a USB-C port (replacing Lightning), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and an A14 Bionic chip with 4GB RAM. It also does not support Apple Intelligence — that requires M1 or newer on iPads. The 10th gen's practical advantages for most buyers come down to the USB-C port, the laminated display, and slightly faster wireless speeds. Refurbished 10th gen units are available but typically price higher than $197.99.

What does "Refurbished Excellent" mean at Best Buy, and is it safe to buy?

Best Buy's "Refurbished Excellent" grade indicates the device has been inspected and certified to show little or no cosmetic wear and to function properly. The purchase is backed by Best Buy's return policy, and the retailer is a major national chain with accessible in-store support if issues arise. As with any refurbished purchase, confirm the specific warranty terms — typically 90 days on Best Buy-refurbished Apple devices — before completing the transaction.

Is $197.99 a genuinely good price for this iPad in 2026?

It is a solid and verified price from a trusted retailer with free shipping and a return policy. It is not a record low — the same device has appeared for $120 to $175 in earlier 2026 deals. The $197.99 price is more valuable than it might have seemed in 2025, however, because Apple's June 2026 mid-cycle price increases raised the cost of new iPads across the lineup. For buyers who want an Apple tablet with full software support and no interest in Apple Intelligence, this is a reasonable and well-priced option at a reliable retailer today.