iPad · The Aluminum Age · 2011
iPad 2
Dramatically thinner and twice as fast, with cameras for FaceTime and the clever Smart Cover that wakes the screen as you open it.
Dual-core power, front & rear cameras, and the magnetic Smart Cover.
iPad (3rd generation) (2012)
iPad 2: key facts
When was the iPad 2 released?
The iPad 2 arrived on March 11, 2011. Apple discontinued it in March 2014.
How much did the iPad 2 cost?
The iPad 2 launched at $499 in 2011, about $709 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A5 at 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 16 GB storage, 9.7" IPS LCD, 1024×768 display.
Why does the iPad 2 matter?
Dual-core power, front & rear cameras, and the magnetic Smart Cover.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A5 · 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 512 MB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 9.7" IPS LCD, 1024×768 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543MP2 |
| Ports | 30-pin dock |
| Weight | 601 g |
| Dimensions | 241.2×185.7×8.8 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 4.3 |
| Released | March 11, 2011 |
| Discontinued | March 2014 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the iPad 2 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 32× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1 GHz, the clock is roughly 3.2× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2011, about $709 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Sold for three full years; schools and airlines bought them by the pallet.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad 2 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11