iPad Pro Old iPad Pro worth it to replace battery?

[Digitalguy]

OCD. I know it’s not rational but I can’t get past the thought that something would be messed up in the conversation process. Plus, I feel like I take really good care of my stuff and “there’s not a scratch on it” so I’m doubtful that any replacement would be in as good shape. Logical or not, I’d rather run this until it’s bothersome to use and get a new one rather than get a “used” one. In starting this thread, I thought it was as simple as dropping it off and getting a new battery, just like a phone. That seems to not be the case so I’m going to pass.

The replacement unit would be in even better shape than yours when it comes to screen and external body, since they are 100% new, just like the battery. The only thing that is not new is the internals. The only risk is with the white spot, do you have any on your iPad pro 10.5 screen? The replacement unit will not have it, but with this iPad it's always possible that it develops at some point.

 

[ger19]

The only risk is with the while spot, do you have any on your iPad pro 10.5 screen? The replacement unit will not have it, but with this iPad it's always possible that it develops at some point.

I assume you mean white spot. No, I don’t have any white spots on my screen.

When it comes to that point, I’ll have to better understand exactly what I’d get in a replacement. I was not thinking that the exterior would be new. I was thinking that it would just be a refurbished machine with a new(er) battery.

 

[sublunar]

A 2017 iPad Pro would not be eligible for iPad OS 18 I think. And as it’s likely to be vintage soon I don’t think a battery replacement would be a great idea even if it was easy.

Better to put the money towards a more modern iPad I would say. If you can trade it in for a pro model all the better.

 

[Digitalguy]

I assume you mean white spot. No, I don’t have any white spots on my screen.

When it comes to that point, I’ll have to better understand exactly what I’d get in a replacement. I was not thinking that the exterior would be new. I was thinking that it would just be a refurbished machine with a new(er) battery.

The thing is that apparently you don't know how refurbished works with Apple. It's not like Amazon or Ebay. Apple's refurbished always have new case, screen and battery. On the normal refurbished store I think you have 1 year warranty too, for the battery service it was 3 months when I did it.

 

[Digitalguy]

A 2017 iPad Pro would not be eligible for iPad OS 18 I think. And as it’s likely to be vintage soon I don’t think a battery replacement would be a great idea even if it was easy.

Better to put the money towards a more modern iPad I would say. If you can trade it in for a pro model all the better.

I don't think Apple takes the 10.5 for trade-in anymore, at least not where I live.

 

[sublunar]

I don't think Apple takes the 10.5 for trade-in anymore, at least not where I live.

Potentially not, so maybe wipe it and sell it third party or look for a trade in offer at a third party. Without the latest apple iOS the value of older iPads will take a dive.

 

[sublunar]

The thing is that apparently you don't know how refurbished works with Apple. It's not like Amazon or Ebay. Apple's refurbished always have new case, screen and battery. On the normal refurbished store I think you have 1 year warranty too, for the battery service it was 3 months when I did it.

iPads generally tend to have great deals at third party retailers, especially older models such as M2 iPad Pro for instance. Worth looking out for those over a refurb.

 

[ger19]

Potentially not, so maybe wipe it and sell it third party or look for a trade in offer at a third party. Without the latest apple iOS the value of older iPads will take a dive.

I was messing around on their site and for a new iPad the would give me $95 trade in value.

 

[sublunar]

I was messing around on their site and for a new iPad the would give me $95 trade in value.

Apple site? For which iPad? $95 sounds good.

 

[Digitalguy]

$95 is not bad for the 10.5 pro

 

[ger19]

Apple site? For which iPad? $95 sounds good.

Apple site = Apple.com. I think I’d get that for any product they sell, however, at the time I was looking at the new iPad Pro. I think it’s just the base trade in value.

 

[sublunar]

Apple site = Apple.com. I think I’d get that for any product they sell, however, at the time I was looking at the new iPad Pro. I think it’s just the base trade in value.

Fair enough, I think third party retailers do some cracking deals on slightly older models which are almost as good as the latest and greatest at certain times of year.

 

[Chancha]

I wouldn't invest any more on a 10.5" if I were you.

My experience was this:
bought a 10.5" new on day 1 in 2017.
screen developed white spot within the 2 year AC+ coverage period, exchanged for a refurb replacement unit for free (at 100% battery health)
then in 2021 towards 2022, so 4 years+ of usage (2-3 for this refurb unit), white spot develops again, and the battery life is worsen to the point of only staying up for 3-4 hours (health was 60%-ish if I recall)

At that point I decided to trade it in, and used the credits to buy a 12.9" M1. It was an easy decision as the M1 at that point was already vastly superior to the 10.5" hardware-wise, despite 10.5" being "fine" doing what it does, the M1 could do more.

Now in 2024 you asking this question, the value proposition in keeping the 10.5" alive is even less. And a replacement in an M4 is simply a few tiers above the 10.5". Or if you can make do with a used / refurb M1 / M2 they are still pretty good, and cheap.

 

[Reverend Benny]

I had a 10.5 Pro that still lives on within the family. Brilliant device, no problems whatsoever.
I haven't had any display issues and the the only time I was thinking about getting a new one was one release, could have been some iOS 16 release, that just drained the batteries. But after another update it was fine again.

Would I recommend anyone buying a new one or reparing one, well if the plan is to use it for 1-2 years more, then maybe. After that it prob won't be getting any security updates or bugfixes. And these days it means that a device should be retired.

But who know, Apple might revise things and keep supporting it.
Might be a better option to look for a used M1 or M2 device.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

I had a 10.5 Pro that still lives on within the family. Brilliant device, no problems whatsoever.
I haven't had any display issues and the the only time I was thinking about getting a new one was one release, could have been some iOS 16 release, that just drained the batteries. But after another update it was fine again.

Would I recommend anyone buying a new one or reparing one, well if the plan is to use it for 1-2 years more, then maybe. After that it prob won't be getting any security updates or bugfixes. And these days it means that a device should be retired.

But who know, Apple might revise things and keep supporting it.
Might be a better option to look for a used M1 or M2 device.

My major complaint with my three year old iPad was it was slow my new iPad Air5 is fast this makes using it a better experience.

 

[ger19]

MaximumCapacityPercent":77,"

MaximumFCC":8256,"

NominalChargeCapacity":6123,"

6123/8256=.7416

Rated battery capacity = 8134

6123/8134= .7527

According to the article, Apple would use the last number - 75.27%, which is the current capacity divided by the rated capacity.

No, it’s a different calculation. The number would probably be significantly higher than 77%.

UPDATE

I read an article that described how to get Apple Support to analyze the battery online while I was at home. They did their analysis and said my battery was at 79%. They were willing to set up an appointment with the Apple Store but I said I’d do that myself after I gave it some thought. The replacement is $119. Seems to be worth it.

 

[Pezimak]

UPDATE

I read an article that described how to get Apple Support to analyze the battery online while I was at home. They did their analysis and said my battery was at 79%. They were willing to set up an appointment with the Apple Store but I said I’d do that myself after I gave it some thought. The replacement is $119. Seems to be worth it.

if it does everything you need still, and have no desire for a new iPad then get the battery changed by Apple if possible, it’s cheaper then a $999 and up replacement.

 

[JBGoode]

Apple doesn't change batteries on iPads. They will give you a refurb.

 

[ger19]

Well that was a bust. Went to the Apple Store today and left with my iPad. First they said that because it’s a replacement, the charge would be $449. Then I showed them that the Apple rep I engaged with online said it would be $119, which was consistent with the information from the Apple site. Okay, “let me speak to my manager”. They came back and said that because my iPad was old (it is, it’s a 2017 iPad Pro), they didn’t have a replacement and that the only option they could offer was a trade in. I had already checked on a new iPad Pro and the trade in value of my iPad was only $95. I gave them that number and said unless they had a better trade in considering the circumstances, I wasn’t interested. That pretty much ended our conversation and I left with my iPad.

I'm going to get back online with Apple support just to see this through, but I think I’m stuck with my iPad or spending a bunch of money to replace it. Likely, I’ll just milk it for awhile longer and charge it more often or even just use it plugged in.

 

[Shamgar]

I only recently replaced my 10.5 iPad Pro with an M4 model. The battery life was feeling pretty limited on the 10.5 but Apple said it was still good when I took it in. I suspect part of the issue is that as iPadOS and apps have gotten heavier, the older devices spend more time in high-power mode. Battery life will get worse as the software expects more performance that newer models can deliver for a lower energy cost.

The A10X also has a unique complication in that regard. The A10 generation was Apple’s first foray into big.LITTLE chip design and the CPU is forced to operate either the high performance cores or the high efficiency cores, unlike later generations that could use any mix of cores as needed. Much of the efficiency the 10.5 originally had might be lost by not being able utilize its efficient cores as much. This is just a theory, mind you. I’m not sure how to reliably test it.

 

[dawnrazor]

I have a 2021 12.9 ipad pro… I took it to an Apple certified dealer to have them access the battery health and its 84%. Apple won’t replace the battery until it’s below 80%… as I understand it the battery cost is subsidised and the below 80% thing is a stipulation if you want to avail of that subsidised price… while I was there, they suggested I look at trade in price… the equivalent of $600USD for my old ipad against a new M4 iPad… Got to say I’m pretty tempted… the thing holding me back is that I use a magic keyboard a lot with my iPad and would need to buy a new one and they are an extra cost that makes buying an M4 IPP rather costly… alternatively I go with an 11” IPP and keyboard as that is a big cost saving and with the trade in doesn’t leave that much to find… but its smaller… need to go to a store