IPad (5th generation) explained

iPad
Aka:iPad 9.7-inch, iPad (2017), iPad 5
Developer:Apple Inc.
Manufacturer:Foxconn
Family:iPad
Type:Tablet computer
Generation:5th
Os:Original: iOS 10.2.1
Power:Built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery
8,827 mAh 3.7 V 32.9W.h
Discontinued:March 27, 2018
Soc:Apple A9 with 64-bit architecture and Apple M9 motion co-processor
Cpu:1.80 GHz dual-core 64-bit ARMv8-A "Twister"[1]
Memory:2 GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage:32 or 128 GB flash memory
Display:9.7inches 2,048 × 1,536 px (264 ppi) with a 4:3 aspect ratio
Graphics:PowerVR GT7600 GPU
Sound:Stereo
Input:Multi-touch screen, headset controls, M9 motion co-processor, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, Touch ID fingerprint reader, barometer
Camera:Front: 1.2 MP, 720p HD, ƒ/2.2 aperture
Rear: 8.0 MP AF, iSight with Five Element Lens, Hybrid IR filter, video stabilization, face detection, HDR, ƒ/2.4 aperture
Dimensions:240mm (h)
169.5mm (w)
7.5mm (d)
Weight:Wi-Fi: 469g
Wi-Fi + Cellular: 478g
Predecessor:iPad (4th generation)
Successor:iPad (6th generation)
Related:
iPad
Releasedate:March 22, 2017
Price:$329
Service: App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books Store, iCloud, Game Center

The iPad (5th generation)[2] (also referred to as the iPad 9.7-inch[3]) is a tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. After its announcement on March 21, 2017, conflicting naming conventions spawned a number of different names, including "fifth-generation iPad" or "iPad (2017)".

The device was released five years after the previous fourth-generation iPad, as the iPad Air was released in 2013 as the successor to the iPad lineup. The iPad Air lineup later continued as a separate, higher-end device, while the iPad was positioned as an entry-level model.

Unlike the iPad Air 2, this iPad does not have a fully laminated display, and also lacks an anti-reflective coating.

On March 27, 2018, Apple announced its successor, the sixth-generation iPad.

History

This iPad model was announced by Apple on March 24, 2017 in a press release.[4] [5] [6] There has been confusion around its naming, being referred to as just "iPad" in marketing,[5] but called the "fifth-generation iPad" in official statements and specifications sheets,[7] a title previously taken by 2013's iPad Air.[8] [9] Other sources refer to it as the "seventh-generation iPad",[10] when including the iPad Air and iPad Air 2 as the fifth- and sixth-generation iPads respectively.[11] It has also been referred to as "iPad 2017".[12] [13] [14]

Pricing strategies

Matt Kapko of CIO wrote that Apple's introductory pricing of $329 in the United States for the iPad, a $70 price reduction vs the iPad Air 2, appeared to be designed to fend off the encroachment of Google's Chromebook laptops in the education sector and to foster wider adoption in customer-facing terminals. Kapko also wrote that the device is designed to appeal to businesses that require inexpensive tablets for undemanding use, including as kiosks, checkout terminals, and hospitality screens.[15]

Specifications

Hardware

The fifth generation iPad shares most design elements with the iPadAir, with a 9.7-inch (25 cm) screen, thickness,[16] and differences such as the lack of the physical mute switch, smaller microphone holes and only a single row of speaker holes, and storage.[17] [18] Compared to the iPad Air 2, the processor is updated from the Apple A8X to the A9 with the embedded Apple M9 motion co-processor.[19] The fifth generation iPad has 2 gigabytes of RAM. Unlike other iPad models available, this iPad's display is not fully laminated and does not have anti-reflective coating.[20] However, this iPad has a brighter screen than the iPad Air 2 (25% brighter according to Apple).[21] It is available in 32 and 128 GB storage options.[22] Contrasting with the iPad Pro lineup, this iPad features only two speakers (as opposed to four), has no Smart Connector support, and has no camera flash. It is offered in silver, gold, and space grey colors. Despite its use of the Apple A9 processor and accompanying M9 motion co-processor, introduced with the iPhone 6S in 2015, the iPad does not feature support for always-on "Hey Siri" voice input, a feature advertised as being made possible by low-power processing in the then-new chips. The use of "Hey Siri" is limited to when the iPad is connected to power.[23]

Software

See also: iOS, iOS 10, iOS 11, iOS 12, iPadOS 13, iPadOS 14, iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16. At the time of its original release, the iPad shipped with iOS 10, a version of Apple's mobile operating system. New units sold come with the new iOS 11 operating system after its Fall 2017 release.[24] The included Touch ID fingerprint sensor allows the user to unlock the device as well as approve purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books Store. Touch ID and Apple Pay let the user purchase items from websites or from within apps.[4] [5]

The fifth-generation iPad supports up to iPadOS 16, and does not support iPadOS 17.[25]

Reception

The iPad received generally positive reviews. It was significantly praised for performance, with reviewers asserting that the model was noticeably faster than older iPad models, and also received positive reviews for its price and battery life. It was criticized, however, for lacking a laminated and anti-reflective screen, lack of support for the Apple Pencil, and lack of a Smart Connector for accessories such as attachable keyboards, the latter two of these criticisms being remedied with the introduction of the iPad (6th generation) a year later. Its introductory price in the United States was the lowest ever for an iPad, with the media noting that the lower price might be an effort to encourage wider adoption of the tablet in the education sector, as well as for businesses needing inexpensive tablets for undemanding uses.

Dieter Bohn of The Verge wrote that "it is a thin, fast tablet", and praised the screen for being "very good", despite not having "the fancy True Tone display that the iPad Pro does, nor does it have some of the things that made the screen on the iPad Air 2 so nice: lamination and anti-reflectivity". He criticized the lack of support for attachable keyboards and Apple Pencil, while praising the A9 processor as "significantly faster than older iPads", though noting that it isn't "necessarily significantly faster than the iPad Air 2", and "not as fast as the iPad Pro". He also disliked that the iPad only features two speakers, as opposed to four on the iPad Pro, while summarizing the overall review with "Fundamentally, what I am trying to tell you is that this is an iPad. You trust that iPads are decent tablets and that they have a basic level of quality, speed, and functionality" and "Get one if you need one, but don't stress that you're missing out if you don't."[26]

Sascha Segan of PC Magazine wrote that "The Apple iPad is more affordable than ever" and noted that "While there's little reason for existing iPad owners to upgrade, the new iPad's price stabs a stake into the heart of many competing Android tablets". Although criticizing the non-laminated display for being "a little more washed out than its predecessor", he claimed that he "couldn't see a measurable difference" and that it's "a nominal degradation in quality that doesn't really matter in everyday use". Segan also praised performance compared to the prior iPad models, and also praised improved Wi-Fi performance, writing that it is "quite impressive" with "double the Wi-Fi speeds on the new iPad than I did on the Air 2".[27] Jeff Benjamin of 9to5Mac wrote that "Sure, it lacks the gorgeous laminated, anti-reflective display of the iPad Air 2, and sure it's not as svelte in either thickness or weight. But there's no denying that the 2017 iPad with A9 dual core processor in tow, is a good value". He described the tablet as a "solid buy for upgraders and new users".[28]

Igor Bonifacic of MobileSyrup also praised the performance, as well as number of iPad apps available, but criticized the camera for being outdated and keyboard/Pencil incompatibility, with a summarization reading: "The 2017 iPad is not an exciting tablet. But then it's not supposed to be exciting, [...] Apple's latest tablet is an iterative update designed to appeal to a specific subset of consumers". Bonifacic also called the tablet "perfect for first-time tablet buyers".[29] Chris Velazco of Engadget praised battery life, describing it as "one of the best iPads we've tested", but also criticized the lack of anti-reflection on the display, calling it "another cost-saving measure that I wish Apple had reconsidered".[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryan . Smith . Apple Announces 2017 iPad 9.7-Inch: Entry Level iPad now at $329 . . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170324072825/http://www.anandtech.com/show/11215/apple-announces-2017-ipad-97inch-329 . live .
  2. Web site: iPad (5th generation) - Technical Specifications. live. 2021-05-05. support.apple.com. 2023-03-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20230301064830/https://support.apple.com/kb/SP751?locale=en_US.
  3. Web site: 2018-01-18. iPad 9.7-inch - Apple. 2021-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118052758/https://www.apple.com/ipad-9.7/. 2018-01-18.
  4. Web site: New 9.7-inch iPad features stunning Retina display and incredible performance . Apple Newsroom . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170331092857/http://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/03/new-9-7-inch-ipad-features-stunning-retina-display-and-incredible-performance.html . live .
  5. Web site: Joe . Rossignol . Apple Debuts New 9.7-Inch iPad With A9 Chip to Replace iPad Air 2, Starting at $329 . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . April 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170401061211/https://www.macrumors.com/2017/03/21/apple-new-9-7-ipad-starting-329/ . live .
  6. Web site: James . Vincent . Apple replaces iPad Air 2 with cheaper 9.7-inch iPad . . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170329044842/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/21/14998464/apple-replaces-ipad-air-with-cheaper-9-7-inch-ipad . live .
  7. Web site: Juli . Clover . The New iPad vs. 9.7-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 . . March 22, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170323234244/https://www.macrumors.com/2017/03/22/the-new-ipad-vs-ipad-pro-vs-ipad-air-2/ . live .
  8. Web site: Zach . Epstein . iPad 6 with better-than-Retina display reportedly launching in 2014 . . . October 14, 2013 . March 24, 2017 . March 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235040/http://bgr.com/2013/10/14/ipad-6-specs-cheaper-imac-kgi/ . live .
  9. Web site: Neil . Hughes . Mikey . Campbell . Review: Apple's fifth-generation iPad Air . AppleInsider . November 3, 2013 . March 24, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170324065010/http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/11/03/review-apples-fifth-generation-ipad-air . live .
  10. Web site: Andy . Price . Apple unveils new iPad and iPhone hardware in surprise announcement . TapSmart . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170323233716/http://www.tapsmart.com/news/apple-unveils-new-ipad-iphone-hardware-surprise-announcement/ . live .
  11. Web site: Jason . Perlow . iPad Air 3 and what Apple needs to deliver . . . August 13, 2015 . March 24, 2017 . March 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235011/http://www.zdnet.com/article/ipad-air-3-and-what-apple-needs-to-deliver/ . live .
  12. Web site: David . Price . New iPad 2017 preview: Apple's affordable but underspecced new iPad may appeal to the education sector . . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170324211835/http://www.macworld.co.uk/review/ipad/new-ipad-2017-preview-3656385/ . live .
  13. Web site: Sean . Keach . New iPad 2017 (9.7-inch) release date, specs, features and price . Trusted Reviews . March 22, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 27, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170327233833/http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/new-ipad-2017-9-7-inch-release-date-specs-features-price-news . live .
  14. Web site: Mike . Wuerthele . Review: Apple's 2017 9.7" iPad with A9 CPU isn't a game-changer, but it isn't supposed to be . AppleInsider . April 5, 2017 . April 15, 2017 . April 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170414052225/http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/04/05/review-apples-2017-97-ipad-with-a9-cpu-isnt-a-game-changer-but-it-isnt-supposed-to-be . live .
  15. Web site: Matt . Kapko . Why Apple dropped iPad's price to lowest yet . . . March 22, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170322172006/https://www.cio.com/article/3183699/mobile/why-apple-dropped-ipad-s-price-to-lowest-yet.html . 22 March 2017 . dead.
  16. Web site: Killian . Bell . New iPad is thicker and heavier than iPad Air 2 . Cult of Mac . March 21, 2017 . March 26, 2017 . March 27, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080220/http://www.cultofmac.com/472707/new-ipad-thicker-heavier-ipad-air-2/ . live .
  17. Web site: iPad 5 Teardown . . March 30, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025329/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+5+Teardown/85098 . live .
  18. Web site: Shekhar . Thakran . iPad (2017) Teardown Reveals the Tablet Is Very Similar to iPad Air: iFixit . Gadgets360 . . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170331143400/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tablets/news/ipad-2017-teardown-reveals-the-tablet-is-very-similar-to-ipad-air-ifixit-1675814 . live .
  19. Web site: Compare iPad models . . March 24, 2017 . October 24, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121024015359/http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/ . live .
  20. Web site: Joshua . Goldman . New $329 Apple iPad is a slightly upgraded Air 2 for less . . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . March 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235229/https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-ipad-2017-9-7-inch/preview/ . live .
  21. Web site: Andrew . Cunningham . Review: Apple's $329 iPad is for people who have never upgraded their tablet . . . April 6, 2017 . April 12, 2017 . April 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072226/https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/04/review-apples-329-ipad-is-for-people-who-have-never-upgraded-their-tablet/ . live .
  22. Web site: Yoni . Heisler . Here's every single new product Apple announced today . . . March 21, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . April 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170401015642/https://bgr.com/2017/03/21/red-iphone-7-new-ipad-apple-watch-bands-se-clips/ . live .
  23. Web site: Mike . Wuerthele . Apple's 2017 iPad lacks always-on 'Hey Siri' support, despite inclusion of M9 chip . AppleInsider . May 9, 2017 . May 9, 2017 . May 12, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170512232536/http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/05/09/apples-2017-ipad-lacks-always-on-hey-siri-support-despite-inclusion-of-m9-chip . live .
  24. Web site: iPad Tech Specs . . October 11, 2017 . March 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102133/https://www.apple.com/ipad-9.7/specs/ . live .
  25. Web site: iPadOS 17 Preview . 2023-06-05 . Apple . en-US.
  26. Web site: Dieter . Bohn . Apple iPad (2017) review: The best feature is the price . . . April 4, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . April 4, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170404235631/http://www.theverge.com/2017/4/4/15176510/new-ipad-review-2017-9-7-inch-apple . live .
  27. Web site: Sascha . Segan . Apple iPad (2017) . . 4 April 2017 . . April 5, 2017 . 5 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405171242/http://uk.pcmag.com/review/88716/apple-ipad-2017 . live .
  28. Web site: Jeff . Benjamin . Review: Apple's $329 iPad is not without compromise, but a solid buy for upgraders and new users [Video] ]. 9to5Mac . March 30, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170449/https://9to5mac.com/2017/03/30/2017-ipad-hands-on-review-329-video/ . live .
  29. Web site: Igor . Bonifacic . iPad (2017) review: Perfect for first-time tablet buyers . MobileSyrup . April 4, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . April 4, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170404205935/http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/04/04/apple-ipad-2017-review-ios-canada/ . live .
  30. Web site: Chris . Velazco . Apple iPad review (2017): No alarms and no surprises . . . April 6, 2017 . April 7, 2017 . April 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170407004450/https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/06/apple-ipad-2017-review/ . live .