iPad 5th Gen vs iPad 6th Gen: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you own the iPad 5th Gen or still have it on your list, the iPad 6th Gen is the tablet that replaced it. These two are nearly level on the spec sheet, which means the right pick depends more on you than on them.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Memory & Storage0.0
- Cameras0.0
- Battery & Connectivity10.0
- Memory & Storage0.0
- Cameras0.0
- Battery & Connectivity10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Design & Size
- iPad 5th Gen 9.45 in × 6.67 in × 0.30 in
- iPad 6th Gen 9.45 in × 6.67 in × 0.30 in
In overall size, the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen are close enough that you’d struggle to tell them apart by dimensions alone. There’s no meaningful weight gap here.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.45 in | 9.45 in |
| Width | 6.67 in | 6.67 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 16.54 oz | 16.54 oz |
Display
Too close to call
On display, the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen are effectively level. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Performance
On performance, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Neither the iPad 5th Gen nor the iPad 6th Gen has a real advantage in the memory & storage category. Either tablet will serve you equally well on memory & storage.
Accessories & Productivity
The accessories & productivity entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen part ways.
Cameras
Too close to call
The iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen match each other closely in this area. Don’t let cameras decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
Side by side, the battery & connectivity figures for the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen barely differ. Treat battery & connectivity as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 9.7 in | 9.7 in |
| Panel type | Retina (LCD) | Retina (LCD) |
| Resolution | 2048 x 1536 | 2048 x 1536 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Fully laminated display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A9 | A10 Fusion |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Max storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | None | Apple Pencil (1st generation) |
| Keyboard accessory | Bluetooth keyboards only (no Smart Connector) | Bluetooth keyboards only (no Smart Connector) |
| OS at launch | iOS 10 | iOS 11 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Front camera | 1 MP | 1 MP |
| Front camera position | Portrait edge | Portrait edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 32.4 Wh | 32.4 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | Lightning | Lightning |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.45 in | 9.45 in |
| Width | 6.67 in | 6.67 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 16.54 oz | 16.54 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad 5th Gen | iPad 6th Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $329 | $329 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is a tie: both launched at the same figure.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of March 2018. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad 6th Gen if…
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad 5th Gen or the iPad 6th Gen?
We’d point most buyers to the iPad 6th Gen. The main exception is if you’re on the iPad 5th Gen and nothing about it bothers you.
Should I upgrade from the iPad 5th Gen to the iPad 6th Gen?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the iPad 5th Gen, the iPad 6th Gen offers a handful of small refinements, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Does the iPad 5th Gen last longer on a charge than the iPad 6th Gen?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen are too close to call.
Is the iPad 5th Gen bigger than the iPad 6th Gen?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPad 5th Gen or the iPad 6th Gen?
The iPad 5th Gen uses A9, while the iPad 6th Gen uses A10 Fusion. How that translates into speed depends on the workloads you care about.
Is the iPad 5th Gen lighter than the iPad 6th Gen?
The difference between the iPad 5th Gen and the iPad 6th Gen is too small to notice, so call it a tie.
Executive Summary
The iPad 6th Gen replaces the iPad 5th Gen, and my first question with any successor is always the same: what actually changed?
For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the iPad 5th Gen fits better. For having the newer model, the iPad 6th Gen is the better match.
My pick: if it were my money, the iPad 6th Gen, but I wouldn’t upgrade from the iPad 5th Gen without a specific reason.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.