iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2017
iPad (5th generation)
Apple refocused the standard iPad on value, dropping it to $329 with a brighter screen and the A9 — a hit with schools and families.
iPad (5th generation): key facts
When was the iPad (5th generation) released?
The iPad (5th generation) was released in March 24, 2017. Apple discontinued it in March 2018.
How much did the iPad (5th generation) cost?
The iPad (5th generation) launched at $329 in 2017 — about $421 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iPad (5th generation)’s specs?
The iPad (5th generation) used a Apple A9 running at 1.85 GHz, with 2 GB of memory and 32 GB of storage. It ran iOS 10.3.
Why does the iPad (5th generation) matter?
Reset the iPad’s starting price to a mass-market $329.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A9 · 1.85 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR GT7600 |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 469 g |
| Dimensions | 240×169.5×7.5 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 10.3 |
| Released | March 24, 2017 |
| Discontinued | March 2018 |
| Launch price | $329 |
How the iPad (5th generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 8.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.85 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.7× 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 8,190 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $329 in 2017 — about $421 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
This price reset is why "iPad" became a classroom default worldwide.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad (5th generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25