What are all the differences between the 9.7" iPad 5th Gen (Early 2017) models?

Please note that the iPad 5th Gen (Early 2017) models have been discontinued.This Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support and more and can be quite useful for anyone purchasing one of these models on the used market.

There are two 9.7" iPad 5th Gen models -- the iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi Only) and iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- which were released in Early 2017 and Apple refers to simply as "iPad" in marketing materials and the iPad "5th Generation" in support documentation.

These two models differ in terms of connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price. There are a number of similarities that you may wish to review, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 5th Generation)

Device Similarities

Both iPad (5th Gen) models use effectively the same design, with a glass front and aluminum back and have thin bezels on each side of the display and thicker bezels on the top and bottom of the display (when held upright). Both weigh a bit more than one pound, although the cellular capable model is slightly heavier.

Case color options include a white front and silver colored back, a white front and gold colored back, or a black front and "Space Gray" back.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 5th Gen Colors - Silver, Gold & Space Gray)

Both iPad (5th Gen) models use the same screen, which is a 9.7-Inch 2048x1536 (264 ppi) LED-backlit IPS "Retina" display. However, unlike some earlier iPad models, the display in the iPad (5th Gen) does not have an antireflective coating nor is is fully-laminated, which means that there is a gap between the glass and the LCD. This gap is not entirely bad, as repairs are easier as a result.

The iPad (5th Gen) models are powered by a 1.8 GHz, two core, Apple A9 processor, an M9 motion coprocessor, and a PowerVR GT7600 graphics processor. They have 2 GB of RAM and can be configured with 32 GB or 128 GB of storage.

Likewise, both iPad 5th Gen models have the same cameras -- a rear-mounted 8 megapixel "iSight" camera capable of shooting stills and 1080p 30 fps video and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera capable of shooting stills and 720p video.

Other identical features include a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor, a "Lightning" port for power and connecting the device to a computer, if desired, support for dual channel 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO (backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), and Bluetooth 4.2. They also have the same accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass and barometer.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad (5th Gen) models both initially shipped with iOS 10.3.1 and fully support the operating system with the exception of the minor "Raise to Wake" and Ride-Booking features. They both support iOS 11, iOS 12, iOS 13 (iPadOS), iPadOS 14, and the current version of the iPadOS, iPadOS 15, too.

Running iPadOS 15, though, the iPad 5th Gen models do not support Universal Control nor the Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, Maps - 3D Landmarks, Interactive Globe, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, or Visual Look Up features.

They also are compatible with Apple Pay, but only for apps and not for use within retail stores.

Identification Differences

As it is for many other iPad models, if they're sitting next to one another, it's easy to differentiate between the iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi Only) and iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi/Cellular) models because the one with cellular capability has a plastic portion at the top rear of its aluminum case.

However, as several other iPad models look similar, visual identification is not a good method in practice.

Consequently, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad.

Specifically, the iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi Only) is model number A1822 and the iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi/Cellular) is A1823. The iPad (5th Gen) models also can be spotted by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi only configuration of the iPad (5th Gen) in black/space gray with 128 GB of storage is MP2H2LL/A.

To pinpoint an exact iPad (5th Gen) by a variety of different identifiers -- including its Serial Number -- please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As noted earlier, the iPad (5th Gen) models mostly are differentiated by connectivity and battery life. While using Wi-Fi, both models support a maximum of ten hours of runtime, but the cellular data capable model only supports a maximum of nine hours of runtime when using cellular connectivity.

The iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi Only) (A1822) supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi (backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual channel) as well as HT80 with MIMO.

The iPad 9.7" (Wi-Fi/Cellular) (A1823) supports the same Wi-Fi as the Wi-Fi only model, but also supports LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41) as well as UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/​DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz). Unlike the Wi-Fi only model, it supports A-GPS and GLONASS, also.

The cellular model (A1823) was shipped unlocked. In the US, it supports AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

In the US and UK, as well as several other countries, if originally purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable iPad (5th Gen) also shipped with an "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card, but in practice it has some limitations.

Pricing Comparison Chart

All iPad (5th Gen) color options cost the same amount. Original pricing was differentiated by capacity and connectivity alone:

Capacity:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$329	US$429
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$459	US$559

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

The iPad (5th Gen) models originally were positioned as a "fun" entry-level iPad model at a lower price point than any previous "full-size" 9.7" iPad model at the time of their release. They provide little that was new compared to their predecessors, but their quality display and reasonably fast performance along with fast Wi-Fi and effectively global LTE coverage in a single device made them a good value for the low price.

On the used market, the iPad 5th Gen models remain a good value with plenty of life left.

iPad Purchase Options

There are any number of places to buy an iPad 5th Gen. However, purchasing from a good company with extensive Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).