Dust inside sealed display of iPad 9th Gen – Manufacturing defect?

Your iPad is not environmentally "sealed" as you might suggest. Your iPad has openings (such as speaker ports) which can allow ingress of moisture and dust. Some entry-level models of iPad do not have a fully laminated display - such models having a separate cover-glass/digitiser assembly from the display panel.

Only Apple can rule as to whether or not a manufacturing defect might be attributed to your iPad. Given that your iPad is out of warranty - and presumably you do not have benefit of an active AppleCare+ plan - you have few options available to you having already received a determination from Apple.

Depending upon your country/region, you may have additional legislation or consumer rights that offers additional protection for latent manufacturing defects - examples being the UK and EU Member States.

If the visible dust concerns you - and your iPad is within it's warranty - you certainly should visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP). Here the technicians can hands-on assess your iPad for defects - and you can explore your available options.

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Hey there,

I have an iPad A16(11 gen) and it also has dust under the digitizer. Usually this wouldn’t bother me but there’s a particle in the center of the display which is visible when the ipad is on. At first i thought this was a dead pixel but I realized it was dust since it’s visible when the ipad is off, and it’s actually really visible and annoying, visible on any background.

My ipad is still under limited warranty, any advice if whether i should take it to apple or not?

Yes, take it to Apple while the limited warranty is still in effect. Do not delay.

ok thank you a lot!