iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2016
iPad Pro (9.7")
A pocket-friendlier Pro in the classic 9.7" size, debuting the ambient-adjusting True Tone screen that every Apple display now uses.
Introduced True Tone and a wide colour (DCI-P3) display.
iPad (5th generation) (2017)
iPad Pro (9.7"): key facts
When was the iPad Pro (9.7") released?
The iPad Pro (9.7") arrived on March 31, 2016. Apple discontinued it in June 2017.
How much did the iPad Pro (9.7") cost?
The iPad Pro (9.7") launched at $599 in 2016, about $785 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A9X at 2.16 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 (True Tone, wide colour) display.
Why does the iPad Pro (9.7") matter?
Introduced True Tone and a wide colour (DCI-P3) display.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A9X · 2.16 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 (True Tone, wide colour) |
| GPU | PowerVR (12-core) |
| Ports | Lightning, Smart Connector |
| Weight | 437 g |
| Dimensions | 240×169.5×6.1 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 9.3 |
| Released | March 31, 2016 |
| Discontinued | June 2017 |
| Launch price | $599 |
How the iPad Pro (9.7") compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 8.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 2.16 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.5× 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 8,190 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $599 in 2016, about $785 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?
It had a quad-speaker system that genuinely impressed reviewers.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad Pro (9.7") in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11