iPad 5th Generation Review (2026): What Still Works and What Doesn’t

It has been nearly a decade since Apple launched the iPad 5th Generation, and while you can still find them floating around the used market for pocket change, the landscape has completely changed.

When introduced in 2017, it was a budget champion. Today, however, its ageing A9 processor and lack of updates past iPadOS 16 mean that it faces severe limitations.

Whether you still have one sitting in a drawer or are tempted by a sub-$55 price tag online. Now, I will show you how this review breaks down exactly what this vintage tablet can, and mostly cannot, do today, so you can decide if it’s time to upgrade or if it can survive as a basic media player.

The iPad 5th Generation is Apple’s entry-level 9.7-inch tablet that was released in March 2017.

It is often confused with the 2018 iPad, which is actually the iPad 6th Generation. The iPad 5th Generation uses model numbers A1822 (Wi-Fi) and A1823 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) and features Apple’s A9 chip with a 9.7-inch Retina display.

While it supports iPadOS up to iPadOS 16, it no longer receives major software updates, making it best suited for basic tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, reading, and email.

Related Guides on BravoTech

• Apple iPad 9th Gen Guide
• iPad 7th Gen Guide
• iPad 6th Gen Guide
• Apple iPad Mini 3 Guide
• Apple iPad Mini 2 Guide

iPad 5th Complete Specifications at a Glance:

The details of iPad 5 Gen specs are given below:

The iPad 5th Generation features a 9.7-inch Retina display, an A9 chip, Touch ID, solid battery life, and support for everyday tasks.

Below, I have gone through each key feature in detail so you know exactly what to expect from this tablet.

How is the iPad 5th Generation Designed and Built?

The iPad 5th Generation has a slim aluminum body, durable build quality, and a simple design that still feels practical for everyday use.

• Aluminum body: Provides a durable metal construction with a premium appearance.
• Weight: Weighs 469 g (Wi-Fi model), making it relatively easy to carry and use.
• Thickness: Measures 7.5 mm thick, making it slightly thicker than the iPad Air 2.
• Lightning port: Uses Apple’s Lightning connector for charging and accessories.
• Durability: The aluminum finish can develop scratches and cosmetic wear over time.

Is the iPad 5th Generation Display Good for Daily Use?

Yes, the iPad 5th Generation features a 9.7-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2048 × 1536 pixels at 264 PPI, suitable for everyday tasks.

The IPS panel delivers sharp text and accurate colors with wide viewing angles. It supports browsing, reading, streaming movies, and video calls with consistent clarity.

The display also offers adequate brightness for indoor and light outdoor use, improving visibility compared to earlier iPad models. Its 9.7-inch screen size provides a balance between usability and portability.

Is the iPad 5th Generation Still Fast Enough for Modern Use?

Yes, but only for basics. While it handles streaming and light browsing well, it struggles with heavy apps and multitasking.

Powered by the Apple A9 chip and 2GB RAM, it offers smooth playback for video, email, and social media. However, that 2GB RAM is a major bottleneck today, except for your browser tabs and background apps, which constantly refresh when you switch between them.

Many users get confused about which apps still work on it. The fact is that most mainstream apps like Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, Zoom and even Kindle still work perfectly on iPadOS 16.

Software-wise, it started on iOS 10.3 and stopped at iPadOS 16. Because it no longer receives major updates, long-term app compatibility is shrinking.

How Much Storage Does the iPad 5th Generation Offer?

The iPad 5th Generation is available in two storage options: 32GB and 128GB.

The 32GB variant is suitable for light users who mainly stream content and use fewer apps. It provides enough space for basic usage but can fill up quickly with downloads, photos, and updates.

The 128GB model offers significantly more storage capacity, making it better for users who install multiple apps, store media locally, or download offline content.

How Long Does the iPad 5th Generation Battery Last?

The iPad 5th Generation has an 8,827 mAh battery rated for up to 10 hours of typical use.

In real-world usage, it lasts close to 10 hours for light tasks like browsing and streaming, around 7–8 hours for gaming or heavier apps, and slightly longer under very light use.

Charging takes around 4 hours for a full charge, which is slower compared to modern tablets but suitable for overnight charging.

While this iPad originally shipped with a massive 8,827 mAh battery, any unit you buy today will have degraded battery health. Because these tablets are years old, the lithium-ion batteries inside have worn down.

When buying from third-party sellers on eBay or Amazon, always look for listings that guarantee a battery health capacity of 80% or higher; otherwise, your 10-hour battery life might drop to just 4 or 5 hours.

How Good Are the Cameras on the iPad 5th Generation?

The iPad 5th Generation includes an 8MP rear camera and a 1.2MP front camera, suitable for basic photography and video calling.

The rear camera captures images at 3264 × 2448 resolution and is adequate for casual photos, document scanning, and simple everyday use. It is not designed to compete with modern smartphone cameras but performs reliably for basic tasks.

The front camera is primarily intended for FaceTime and video calls, offering functional but dated image quality compared to newer iPads with higher-resolution front-facing cameras.

How Much Does the iPad 5th Generation Cost Today?

The iPad 5th Generation is no longer sold by Apple and is only available through used and refurbished markets. Its price has dropped significantly due to its age and outdated hardware.

Prices vary depending on storage size, condition, and battery health:

• 32GB (Used/Refurbished): Around $55–$75
• 128GB (Used/Refurbished): Around $85–$110

Here are the details of its pros and cons:

Before you buy the iPad 5th Generation, consider stretching your budget slightly for these significantly better used alternatives:

• iPad 6th Generation (2018): Usually costs only $15–$25 more than the 5th Gen. It upgrades to a faster A10 processor and adds official Apple Pencil support, making it infinitely better for students.
• iPad Mini 5 (2019): If you prefer a smaller screen, this can occasionally be found for close to $100. It features the much more powerful A12 Bionic chip, offering a massive leap in speed and smoother multitasking.

You can buy it for cheap streaming or for kids, but if you need an Apple Pencil or smooth multitasking performance, then avoid it.

Here is a quick breakdown of who will get the most value out of it and who should completely skip it.

Who Should Buy It?

• Parents on a Budget: Great low-risk first tablet for kids. It easily handles casual games like Roblox and streaming cartoons.
• Casual Streamers: Perfect secondary screen for bedside tables or kitchens. It runs YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ flawlessly.
• Basic Users: Fine for light household tasks like checking emails, scrolling social media, or reading eBooks. [1]

Who Should Avoid It?

• Students: Skip it. It lacks Apple Pencil support. You cannot take digital notes, sketch, or mark up PDFs.
• Multitaskers: The A9 chip and 2GB RAM create tight bottlenecks. Expect heavy lag and constant app refreshes when switching tasks.
• Remote Workers: While it runs Zoom and Teams, the dated 1.2MP front camera delivers a grainy, blurry video feed. [1, 2]

The iPad 5th Generation is no longer a modern or high-performance tablet, but it remains usable for basic tasks such as browsing, streaming, reading, and light app usage. Its 9.7-inch Retina display, Apple A9 chip, and metal build still provide a functional experience for everyday needs.

However, its software support is limited to iPadOS 16, and performance constraints make it less suitable for demanding apps, heavy multitasking, or newer gaming titles.

Overall, it is best suited as a budget-friendly used tablet for light use rather than a long-term primary device.