The best iPad Black Friday deal is out of stock at Amazon... but not everywhere

This year's best iPad Black Friday deal is out of stock on Amazon – but not everywhere
(Image credit: Apple)

Can't afford the latest, Award-winning iPad? We feel you – even with a Black Friday discount it is still £437 at Amazon, making it one pricey tablet no matter how good it may be. But that doesn't mean you can't own an iPad. The excellent previous-gen iPad is still knocking around and, most importantly, very good value this Black Friday.

The 9th-gen iPad (64GB) from 2021 is out of stock on Amazon right now, but the £299 Black Friday price is still available at John Lewis , Currys, Argos and Very. That's £60 off the RRP or £30 off the price it is typically available for these days. We realise we aren't talking huge savings here, but that, we are afraid, are Apple discounts for you.

Our very own tablet guru, Lewis Empson, recently waxed lyrical on why the 2021 iPad is a better buy than the latest model, but in a nutshell it is worth your time this Black Friday because a) it is very rarely discounted by more, b) if you've decided an iPad is for you, there isn't a better alternative at its price level, and c) it is the last iPad to sport the ever-handy headphone jack!

Apple iPad (2021) 64GB was £369 now £299 at John Lewis (save £70)

Apple iPad (2021) 64GB was £369 now £299 at John Lewis (save £70)
The 2021 iPad comes packed with a great screen, excellent sound quality, and an impressive front camera. If you need a tablet for browsing the internet, playing occasional games, and watching content, this is an awesome choice for the money. It might still have the home button and Lightning connector, but much of the new model's AV goodness is in fact in this older model – and you get the headphone jack!

Deal also at Currys, Argos and Very

We at What Hi-Fi? still love this iPad for its benchmark (at this discounted price) combination of superb picture quality, great audio, excellent front camera and seamless usability.

iPads are known for their sleek, elegant design and excellent build quality, of course, and the iPad (2021) does not disappoint in this regard. It's a beautiful, well-built device that feels premium even without breaking the bank, though we have to say that the latest iPad 2022 does look and feel like a more premium design thanks to its smoothed-off flat edges and narrow bezels.

The iPad (2021) has a 10.2-inch display with a 2160 x 1620 resolution (slightly inferior than the 2022 model on both fronts), and True Tone support which work together to offer up a fantastic image that the latest iPad only refines as opposed to blows away. 

When paired with headphones, the ninth-gen iPad sounds great, too, a clear improvement over its predecessor thanks to Apple's trademark audio clarity. The speakers on the iPad (2021) don't have much stereo separation, but even during busy scenes in movies, dialogue comes through and sounds consistent.

The new model, not to mention the more premium iPad models, might have beefy internals and more expensive displays, but most people won't need best-in-class hardware. With a beautiful screen, smooth UX, and good sound quality alongside solid cameras and enough power to run any app you download, the iPad (2021) is a great deal for £299.

MORE:

See our expert pick of the best Black Friday tech deals on TVs, headphones, soundbars and more

Read our full Apple iPad (2021) review

Don't bother with the iPad (2022), buy the iPad (2021) instead - here's why

See the new Apple iPad (2022) Black Friday Amazon deal instead

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.