iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2012
iPad (3rd generation)
The Retina display arrived on the iPad, quadrupling the pixels. The bigger GPU and battery made it slightly thicker and warmer — and it was replaced unusually fast.
iPad (3rd generation): key facts
When was the iPad (3rd generation) released?
The iPad (3rd generation) was released in March 16, 2012. Apple discontinued it in October 2012.
How much did the iPad (3rd generation) cost?
The iPad (3rd generation) launched at $499 in 2012 — about $699 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iPad (3rd generation)’s specs?
The iPad (3rd generation) used a Apple A5X running at 1 GHz, with 1 GB of memory and 16 GB of storage. It ran iOS 5.1.
Why does the iPad (3rd generation) matter?
First Retina iPad — 3.1 million pixels, more than a 1080p TV.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A5X · 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543MP4 |
| Ports | 30-pin dock |
| Weight | 652 g |
| Dimensions | 241.2×185.7×9.4 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 5.1 |
| Released | March 16, 2012 |
| Discontinued | October 2012 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the iPad (3rd generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 16× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1 GHz, the clock is roughly 3.2× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2012 — about $699 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
Apple dropped the numbering, calling it simply "the new iPad."
Related iPad models
Open the iPad (3rd generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25