iPad A9 2017

The simply titled "9.7-inch iPad"—also referred to by Apple as the "iPad (5th Generation)" and introduced in "Early 2017"—was the most affordably priced "full size" iPad Apple had released to date. It effectively merges many of the internal components of the iPhone 6s with a case and display similar to the original iPad Air.

All iPad (Early 2017) devices, including this Wi-Fi and Cellular model, are housed in white and gold, white and silver, or black and "Space Gray" cases. They feature a 9.7" 2048x1536 (264 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive "Retina" display, which is not fully laminated and lacks an antireflective coating, but includes a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor. Each is powered by a dual-core 1.8 GHz Apple A9 processor, with 2 GB of RAM and either 32 GB or 128 GB of flash storage.

Other notable features include dual cameras: a rear 8-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p 30 fps video, and a front 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. It also supports dual-channel 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, and stereo speakers. A Lightning port provides power and connectivity.

Battery life is rated at 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music," or nine hours on cellular data.

This Wi-Fi/Cellular model supports A-GPS/GLONASS, GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, CDMA EV-DO, and LTE bands 1-5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17-20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38-41. In the US, a single device is designed for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and includes an "Apple SIM" for easier global carrier switching.

Compared to the iPad Air 2 it replaced, this iPad (5th Gen) has a thicker, heavier housing and an older display design, but was offered at a lower price.

The 2017 iPad (5th generation) with cellular was evaluated as a solid, no-frills tablet that offered great value. It effectively replaced the iPad Air 2 in the lineup but at a much more accessible price point. The A9 processor provided snappy performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and media streaming. Its key selling point was its affordability combined with reliable LTE connectivity, making it a dependable choice for users who needed internet access away from Wi-Fi. However, to achieve its lower price, some compromises were made. It was slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad Air 2 it replaced, and its display was not laminated, resulting in a noticeable air gap and more reflections. It also lacked support for the Apple Pencil. Despite these drawbacks, it was seen as a smart move by Apple, providing a robust and capable tablet experience for budget-conscious consumers and the education market.