Apple iPad Pro 10.5 Gray 2017

The refurbished iPad Pro 10.5 is a tempting budget tablet with a killer 120Hz display and Apple Pencil support, but it's a risky buy. Refurb quality is wildly inconsistent, with battery life and connectivity being major pain points for many buyers. It's a great secondary device if you get lucky, but most people should save up for a more reliable modern tablet.

The A10X Fusion chip still has some life in it for basic tasks. It sits around the 59th percentile for CPU and 61st for GPU in our database, which means it's firmly in the 'about average' camp compared to the broader tablet market today. That's actually not bad for a chip from 2017. It'll handle web browsing, streaming, and note-taking without much fuss. The 4GB of RAM is a bit of a weak spot at the 32nd percentile, so don't expect to keep dozens of apps and browser tabs open without the occasional reload.

Where this iPad really shines is the display. At the 86th percentile, that 120Hz ProMotion panel is a standout, even by modern standards. Colors are accurate, it hits 600 nits of brightness, and the high refresh rate makes everything feel responsive. For artists using the first-gen Apple Pencil, the low latency is a real treat. The battery, at an 85th percentile ranking, should be a strength, but that's where the refurb gamble hits hardest. A fresh 8130mAh battery is great, but a worn-out one is a common complaint from buyers.

Stacked against something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, the iPad Pro 10.5 shows its age in connectivity and software support. The Samsung will have a modern OS, better accessory ecosystem, and a warranty. The iPad's 120Hz screen is still a killer feature, but the Galaxy Tab's overall experience is more consistent. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is another strong alternative that offers a more modern chip and a guaranteed fresh battery, which sidesteps the biggest headache with this refurbished iPad.

If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and just want a cheap screen for media and notes, the iPad Pro 10.5 can make sense. But the Xiaomi Pad 7 is a compelling option if you're open to Android. It offers a modern, high-refresh-rate display and a new battery for a similar price to a good-condition refurb Pro, without the risk of getting a dud. The iPad's main advantage is its app ecosystem for creative work, but that's only valuable if the hardware is reliable.

Pricing on these is all over the map, from $166 to a frankly absurd $3,463. You should absolutely not be paying anywhere near the high end. The value proposition only makes sense if you snag one from a reputable refurbisher on Amazon or Newegg for under $200. At that price, you're getting a fantastic screen and solid build quality for a secondary device. But if you're creeping up toward $300 or more, you're better off looking at a new base iPad or a recent Android alternative like the Xiaomi Pad 7, which will have a warranty, a fresh battery, and years of software support.

The iPad Pro 10.5 from 2017 is one of those devices that still pops up in searches for a capable tablet on a budget, especially in the refurbished market. It packs a 10.5-inch 2224x1668 display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, an Apple A10X Fusion chip, and 4GB of RAM. For reading, art, and entertainment, it was a powerhouse in its day, and honestly, that screen still holds up. But you're buying into a seven-year-old platform here, and the experience of getting one today is a real mixed bag depending on the seller and the unit's history.

We see these listed anywhere from $166 to over $3,400, which is a wild spread. The sweet spot for a decent refurbished 64GB WiFi model seems to be on the lower end of that range, but you need to go in with your eyes open. The 120Hz display is the star of the show, making scrolling and Apple Pencil input feel incredibly smooth. It's a feature you still don't get on the base iPad models, which makes this older Pro feel surprisingly premium for the price.

But here's the thing: this is a refurbished product, and the user sentiment score sits at a pretty rough 20th percentile. That's not a knock on the original design, it's a warning about the refurbishment process. You might get a flawless device that looks brand new, or you might get one with a tired battery and flaky Bluetooth. It's a gamble, and we'll dig into what that means for you.

Anyone who needs a reliable daily driver for work, school, or travel should skip this. The risk of getting a unit with a shot battery or connectivity issues is too high for a device you need to depend on. If you're not comfortable with the possibility of returning a dud, don't bother. Instead, look at a new 10th-gen iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+. These will cost more upfront but come with a warranty, a fresh battery, and modern software support that makes them a much safer bet for getting things done.

Should you buy a refurbished iPad Pro 10.5 in 2024? Only if you're on a very tight budget, you find a screaming deal from a seller with a solid return policy, and you're willing to roll the dice. The 120Hz display and Apple Pencil support are genuinely great for reading, drawing, and note-taking. If you get a good one, it feels like you've cheated the system. The problem is, our data shows a lot of people don't get a good one.

The 20th percentile user sentiment score is a big red flag. Stories of iCloud-locked devices, batteries that drain in a couple of hours, and flaky Wi-Fi are too common to ignore. If you need a reliable daily driver for work or school, this isn't it. Spend a bit more on a new base iPad or a recent Android tablet and save yourself the headache. This is a tinkerer's tablet or a secondary device for casual use, not a primary machine.