Quick verdict
- The best-value graphing calculator for standard high school math.
- Approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams.
- Built-in Python is a real bonus at this price.
- Monochrome screen and fewer classroom tutorials than a TI-84.
- Runs on AAA batteries, so no charging, just spares.
Specs
| Spec | Casio fx-9750GIII |
|---|---|
| Released | ~2020 |
| Display | Monochrome LCD, 128 × 64 |
| Memory | ~62 KB program capacity, ~3 MB storage |
| Programming | Casio Basic + MicroPython |
| Connectivity | USB (mass storage to PC) |
| Power | 4 × AAA |
| CAS | No |
| Exam mode | Yes |
| Exams | SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP, IB |
| New price | ~$60–$90 |
What it is
The fx-9750GIII is Casio's entry-level graphing calculator in the US, and it is the most common budget alternative to the TI-84 Plus CE.
It graphs functions, runs statistics and regressions, handles matrices and lists, and solves equations numerically. For standard high school math, that covers it.
Pricing
New prices typically run about $60 to $90, often less than half of what a TI-84 Plus CE costs at the same store. It shows up in back-to-school sales too.
Used units are cheap and plentiful, but at this price buying new with a warranty makes sense.
The screen and the hardware
This is where you see the savings. The screen is a monochrome 128 × 64 LCD, with no backlight and no color. Graphs are clear but blocky, and you can't color-code multiple functions the way you can on a TI-84 Plus CE.
It runs on four AAA batteries. That's a trade-off: you never have to remember to charge it, but you do need spares in the backpack.
Python
Built-in MicroPython is the standout feature. Students can write and run short Python scripts on the calculator and move files to a computer over USB, where the calculator shows up like a flash drive.
For a student curious about programming, that's a real perk on a calculator at this price.
vs. the TI-84 Plus CE
| Casio fx-9750GIII | TI-84 Plus CE | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical new price | ~$60–$90 | ~$95–$160 |
| Screen | Monochrome | Color, backlit |
| Power | 4 × AAA | Rechargeable |
| Python | Built in | Python Edition only |
| Classroom support | Some | Everywhere |
The math capabilities overlap almost completely for high school courses. The differences are the screen, the power source, and how many people around the student know how to use it.
Exam approval
The fx-9750GIII is approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams, and it has an Exam Mode that locks restricted features during testing. It has no CAS, so it is allowed on the ACT.
Check the official rules before test day: the ACT calculator policy, the SAT calculator policy, and the AP calculator policies. The College Board's AP list covers the fx-9750 series.
Community take
On student and teacher forums, the fx-9750GIII gets recommended over and over as the "you don't need to spend TI money" pick. The most common complaint is that menus feel less intuitive than TI's at first.
Buyer feedback lines up with that. People praise the value, the exact-value answers, and an interface that's solid once you learn it. The complaints are consistent: the menus take time to learn, and the unlit screen is hard to read in a dim room (ShopSavvy review summary).
Yes, if you're on a budget and the class doesn't require a TI
For a student taking Algebra through Precalculus, the fx-9750GIII does the job for a lot less money. The catch is support. If the teacher demos on a TI-84 and the student needs hand-holding, the TI is still the easier path. If the student is comfortable figuring out menus, the Casio is the smart buy.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
Is the Casio fx-9750GIII allowed on the ACT?
Yes. It has no CAS and is approved for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP, and IB exams. It also has an Exam Mode.
Can the Casio fx-9750GIII do everything a TI-84 can?
For standard high school math, nearly everything. The main differences are the monochrome screen, AAA batteries, and fewer tutorials.
Does the Casio fx-9750GIII have Python?
Yes. It includes MicroPython, and you can transfer scripts to a computer over USB.
Does it have a rechargeable battery?
No. It runs on four AAA batteries.
