I'm thinking of buying a used/refurbished iPad. the advert gives the model number and that it is a 9.7" iPad Pro. But does not give version or year. I believe Apple should be able to give that info if I give model number. But I can't find how to ask apple
The iPad Pro 9.7" was the very first iPad Pro launched by Apple. This iPad was released nine years ago in 2016.
Apple Introduces 9.7-inch iPad Pro - Apple
The iPad might not be a good choice; it is obsolete and cannot be updated beyond iPadOS 16.7.12. Many major App Developers only support the current and prior one or two major versions of iPadOS. As such, App support will at best be dwindling.
If you intend to use an iPad with currently available Apps and online services, you would be best advised to save your money - and use this towards a much newer or current model iPad that supports iPadOS 26.
For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:
32-bit devices (obsolete)
iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1
iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)
iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)
64-bit devices
iPad Air1*, iPad mini2* and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7
iPad Air2*, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.5
iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.12
iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7.10
iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.2
(*) obsolete
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.1, or optionally if running iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 18.7.2
The iPad Pro 9.7" was the very first iPad Pro launched by Apple. This iPad was released nine years ago in 2016.
Apple Introduces 9.7-inch iPad Pro - Apple
The iPad might not be a good choice; it is obsolete and cannot be updated beyond iPadOS 16.7.12. Many major App Developers only support the current and prior one or two major versions of iPadOS. As such, App support will at best be dwindling.
If you intend to use an iPad with currently available Apps and online services, you would be best advised to save your money - and use this towards a much newer or current model iPad that supports iPadOS 26.
For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:
32-bit devices (obsolete)
iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1
iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)
iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)
64-bit devices
iPad Air1*, iPad mini2* and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7
iPad Air2*, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.5
iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.12
iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7.10
iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.2
(*) obsolete
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.1, or optionally if running iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 18.7.2
i have model number, want info about it. i dont own, cant go to settings
