Apple iPad Pro 10.5 Renewed Review: Strong but Flawed
Opening strong with community feedback, the Apple iPad Pro 10.5-inch (Renewed, Space Gray) emerges as a device that still commands respect despite its 2017 origins. Across Amazon, Best Buy, Reddit, and multiple refurb reviews, it earns between 4.4 and 4.9 stars, with many calling it “like new” and “fantastic value.” Based on aggregated sentiment, its score lands at 8.3/10 — with high marks for display quality, performance, and accessory compatibility, offset by battery longevity concerns and occasional refurbishment inconsistencies.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — worth buying for creative professionals, students, and budget-conscious Apple users comfortable with refurbished risks.
| Pros (User-Reported) | Cons (User-Reported) |
|---|---|
| Vibrant 10.5-inch Retina display with ProMotion | Battery degradation common in renewed units |
| Smooth A10X Fusion performance | Occasional boot loops or startup issues |
| Apple Pencil & Smart Keyboard support | Third-party chargers often included |
| High-quality build and near-new cosmetics | Cosmetic blemishes in some shipments |
| Strong seller replacement/warranty support | Connectivity drops (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) in isolated cases |
| 256GB storage option praised | Charging speed slower with non-OEM accessories |
Claims vs Reality
Apple’s marketing for the iPad Pro 10.5 touts “up to 10 hours of battery life,” “desktop-class performance,” and “like-new condition” in certified refurbished units. Digging into user reports, these claims hold unevenly.
While officially rated for 10 hours, multiple Amazon buyers note runtimes of “just 2–3 hours under moderate use” and overnight drain of 15–20%. Reddit user feedback confirms this as a sticking point: “Battery is the only thing holding me from buying one… even with 80% health guaranteed.” This gap is most pronounced for heavy media users and gamers.
Performance claims fare much better. Best Buy reviewers praise it as “like a speed demon” with “fluid animations” and “no frame rate issues in gaming.” Amazon buyers echo that even on later iPadOS versions, “apps open incredibly quickly and the home screens slide… with no noticeable delay.” The A10X Fusion chip appears to still meet creative and productivity demands, especially for Apple Pencil work.
As for refurbishment quality, many units arrive “immaculate” and “impossible to tell it isn’t factory new,” but others describe “deep back scratches” or “bright spots on the screen.” This variability underscores that “like new” depends heavily on seller standards.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The display earns near-universal acclaim, particularly for creative work. Best Buy customers highlight its 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and 600-nit brightness, noting it makes “video and animation lifelike.” For artists, the Apple Pencil support is a draw — one Amazon buyer said it “rekindled my desire to draw… colors are vibrant and no pixelation when zooming.”
Performance is another strong point. Even Reddit users skeptical about battery life admit “it’s still great… very hard to believe it’s 2017 tech.” Professionals use it for “seamless video editing in iMovie” and “smooth graphics in lightweight mobile games.” The 256GB storage option is consistently praised for eliminating space anxiety, with one reviewer calling it “worth every penny” for photo editing and large app libraries.
Build quality also stands out. The aluminum chassis and slim bezels feel premium, with multiple reports of units arriving “without a scratch” and “ready for immediate use.” Portability benefits students and commuters, with several noting it’s “perfect to take notes… not bulky.”
Common Complaints
Battery degradation is the most consistent complaint. Many refurbished units ship with batteries that no longer approach the advertised runtime, and some lose charge even while powered off. One Amazon reviewer documented a drop from 98% to 82% after a short period. For travelers or mobile professionals, this means carrying extra power banks or charging more frequently.
Connectivity drops surface occasionally. A handful of buyers report “slow data speeds” and “difficulty maintaining a stable link” over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, affecting online gaming or accessory pairing. While often resolved through replacements, it’s a potential disruption for remote workers.
Refurbishment inconsistencies also frustrate buyers. Some shipments contain non-OEM chargers prone to overheating or slower charging speeds. Others arrive with cosmetic flaws: “giant bright spot in the middle of the screen” or “minor dents on the body.” Poor packaging — such as inner boxes rattling inside larger containers — raises concerns about transit damage.
Divisive Features
The older design — thicker bezels, Lightning port, first-gen Apple Pencil — splits opinion. Purists appreciate the headphone jack and home button, while others miss USB-C’s faster data transfer and the Pencil’s magnetic charging found in newer models. Reddit advice often suggests “save a little more for a 2018 model” if these upgrades matter.
Battery replacement feasibility is debated. Some users view it as “not super expensive” and worth doing after a year, while others see diminished battery life as a deal-breaker for refurbished purchases.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot-style patterns show most satisfied customers receive pristine units and fast replacements when issues arise. Amazon’s Renewed program and certain Best Buy Geek Squad refurbishers earn praise for “hassle-free replacements” and extended warranties up to one year. A verified buyer noted: “Amazon’s support handled return shipping labels and extended warranties quickly… replacement arrived a day early.”
However, isolated reports reveal lapses in testing. One Best Buy customer returned a unit that “kept sporadically rebooting” during initial setup, questioning whether proper diagnostics were performed before resale.
Long-term durability varies. Some owners report “running perfect” after weeks or months, while others encounter boot loops at the six-month mark. This reinforces the importance of choosing reputable sellers and monitoring device health early.
Alternatives
Reddit comparisons position the 2018 iPad Pro as a safer bet for better battery endurance, newer chipsets, and Apple Pencil 2 support. It sheds older design elements but commands higher prices. Best Buy and Amazon listings for newer models show fewer complaints about battery life, though the cost difference can be significant.
For buyers prioritizing affordability and ProMotion displays, the 10.5-inch sits between the smaller 9.7-inch Pro (lower brightness, no 120Hz) and the newer 11-inch Pro (USB-C, Face ID). Choosing the 10.5-inch often means accepting the trade-off of older internals for a lower entry price.
Price & Value
Current eBay and Amazon Renewed prices range from around $200 for 64GB models to $315–$599 for 256GB units in “excellent” condition. This is roughly 30–50% off original retail. The resale market remains active, with good-condition models holding value due to their display quality and accessory compatibility.
Community buying tips stress checking seller ratings, verifying warranty coverage, and budgeting for potential battery replacement. One Reddit user summed it up: “If you’re comfortable with refurbished devices, this is hard to beat for moderate-to-heavy use.”
FAQ
Q: Does the renewed iPad Pro 10.5 still get software updates?
A: Yes. It can run iPadOS 17.x, keeping it compatible with modern apps and security patches. Users appreciate Apple’s long update support compared to other brands.
Q: How bad is the battery life on refurbished units?
A: It varies. Some report close to the original 10-hour spec, but others see 2–3 hours under moderate use. Battery replacement is a viable fix for those willing to invest.
Q: Is the first-gen Apple Pencil good enough?
A: For most note-taking and art tasks, yes. It offers precision and low latency, though it lacks the magnetic charging and double-tap features of the second-gen Pencil.
Q: Can it replace a laptop?
A: For light productivity — documents, presentations, email — it works well with a Smart Keyboard. Heavy desktop workflows may still require a PC or Mac.
Q: Are non-OEM chargers a problem?
A: They can be. Some third-party chargers slow charging or overheat. Many buyers recommend purchasing an official Apple charger separately.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a student, creative professional, or media consumer seeking Apple Pro features at a fraction of the new price — and you’re comfortable with the variables of refurbished hardware. Avoid if you demand all-day battery life or the latest design refinements. Pro tip from the community: vet your seller thoroughly and plan for a battery swap if longevity becomes an issue.
