Apple iPad 5th Generation (Cover + Charger + Data cable)

The **Apple iPad (5th generation)**. often called the **iPad 2017** or simply **iPad 5**. was announced on **March 21. 2017**. and released on **March 24. 2017**. It was Apple’s first affordable entry-level iPad since the iPad 2. blending the iPad Air’s design with iPhone 6s-level performance to target education. families. and casual users. Priced starting at **$329** for the 32GB Wi-Fi model (a $70 drop from the iPad Air 2). it emphasized value with a brighter Retina display. Touch ID. and 64-bit power. This model revived the “iPad” branding for the base line and was discontinued in **March 2018** with the 6th-gen launch.

 Key Features and Improvements
– **Design and Build**: Retained the iPad Air’s slim profile—measuring **9.4 inches tall. 6.6 inches wide. and 0.30 inches (7.5 mm) thick**. weighing **1.03 pounds (469 g) for Wi-Fi** and **1.05 pounds (478 g) for cellular**. Aluminum unibody with chamfered edges. available in **Space Gray**. **Silver**. **Gold**. or new **Rose Gold**. Notable tweaks: No side mute switch (side switch became Smart Connector for keyboards). single row of speaker grilles (still stereo sound). and smaller mic holes.
– **Display**: 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD **Retina display** with **2048 x 1536 resolution** at **264 ppi**. **25% brighter** than the iPad Air 2 (500 nits peak). but lacks full lamination or anti-reflective coating (unlike Air 2/Mini 4). leading to a slight air gap between glass and panel.
– **Performance**: Powered by the **Apple A9 chip** (same as iPhone 6s: 64-bit dual-core 1.85 GHz Twister CPU with PowerVR GT7600 GPU) and **M9 motion coprocessor** (supports basic fitness tracking). Paired with **2 GB of RAM**—double the Air 2’s—for smoother multitasking. No “Hey Siri” support despite the M9. as it requires low-power always-listening hardware.
– **Storage Options**: 32 GB or 128 GB (no microSD; 16 GB dropped from prior base models).
– **Cameras**: **8 MP rear iSight** (f/2.4. autofocus. 1080p HD video at 30 fps. HDR. 120 fps slo-mo. 5-element lens) and **1.2 MP front FaceTime HD** (720p video)—upgraded from iPad 4/Air 1 for better low-light and pixel processing.
– **Connectivity**: Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with **MIMO**. Bluetooth 4.2. **Lightning connector**. and optional **4G LTE** (Gigabit-class on some bands; GPS/GLONASS on cellular). Supports Apple Pay via Touch ID.
– **Battery Life**: Up to **10 hours** of Wi-Fi web/video/music; up to **9 hours** on cellular. 32.4 Wh (8.827 mAh) battery. efficient thanks to A9 optimizations.
– **Software**: Launched with **iOS 10.3**. upgradable to **iPadOS 16.7.10** (final supported version as of November 2025). Supports Split View. Apple Pencil (1st gen via Lightning adapter). and education features like ClassKit.
– **Audio and Sensors**: Dual stereo speakers (landscape-oriented). dual mics with noise reduction. 3.5mm jack. **Touch ID** (2nd-gen sensor). accelerometer. gyroscope. ambient light. digital compass.

#### Specifications Table

| Category              | Details                                                                 |
|———————–|————————————————————————-|
| **Display**           | 9.7-inch Retina IPS LCD. 2048 x 1536 (264 ppi). multi-touch. 500 nits brightness |
| **Processor**         | Apple A9 (64-bit. dual-core 1.85 GHz) + M9 motion coprocessor           |
| **RAM**               | 2 GB LPDDR3                                                             |
| **Storage**           | 32 / 128 GB                                                             |
| **Cameras**           | Rear: 8 MP (1080p video. slo-mo 120 fps); Front: 1.2 MP (720p)          |
| **Battery**           | 8.827 mAh (32.4 Wh). ~10 hours Wi-Fi / 9 hours cellular                 |
| **Connectivity**      | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (MIMO). Bluetooth 4.2. Lightning; optional LTE + GPS |
| **Dimensions**        | 9.4 x 6.6 x 0.30 inches (240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm)                          |
| **Weight**            | 1.03 lb (469 g) Wi-Fi / 1.05 lb (478 g) cellular                        |
| **OS Support**        | iOS 10.3 to iPadOS 16.7.10 (latest as of Nov 2025)                      |
| **Colors**            | Space Gray. Silver. Gold. Rose Gold                                     |
| **Sensors**           | Touch ID. accelerometer. gyroscope. ambient light. compass              |

#### Notable Milestones
– **Affordable Powerhouse**: First iPad under $350 with modern specs. aimed at schools to compete with Chromebooks.
– **Apple Pencil Support**: Early adopter (1st gen via adapter)—unlocked drawing/education apps like Procreate.
– **Brighter Display**: 500 nits made it better for outdoor use than Air 2. despite no anti-glare.
– **No Always-On Siri**: Omitted to keep costs down. unlike iPhone 6s.

#### Legacy (as of November 2025)
Classified as **obsolete** by Apple (over 7 years since discontinuation)—no hardware service or parts available. It still runs **iPadOS 16** smoothly for web. email. streaming. and light productivity. with features like Stage Manager (limited by RAM) and external keyboard support. However. it misses iPadOS 17+ (e.g.. no Apple Intelligence. no Pencil hover). Security patches ended in 2024. so avoid sensitive tasks. Many repurpose it as a kids’ device. e-reader. or media player.

#### Best Use Cases Today
– **Education/Reading**: Pencil + brighter screen for notes/PDFs.
– **Streaming/Media**: 1080p video. 10-hour battery for Netflix/YouTube.
– **Family Tablet**: Affordable. durable. with parental controls.
– **Secondary Device**: Home automation or recipe viewer.

> **Verdict**: The iPad 5th gen was a **smart value play**—reviving the base iPad with Air-like design and iPhone power. It holds up for basics in 2025 but feels dated without lamination or modern iPadOS. For upgrades. look to the 10th-gen iPad (A14) for USB-C and better longevity. A solid “budget classic” for non-demanding users.