iPod have come in a prospicient way since the initial music - only equipment that as if by magic appeared from Steve Jobs ’ jeans pocket in October 2001 . Now the iPod touch has full entree to the internet , can bet picture show , and even make picture call using FaceTime .
The iPod furrow up is not what it used to be though , with the legal age of Apple ’s music player models having been discontinued . A raw iPod touch was launch in May 2019 and is the only iPod that Apple sell .
Here we round down up the various feature article of each iPod jot model ( there are various people of colour and capacities useable ) , and explain where you’re able to buy the older iPod models that have now been discontinued by Apple .
What iPods does Apple sell?
Right now , Apple sell just one dash of iPod : the iPod touch sensation .
The iPod touch is a iPhone - like gimmick with an iPhone SE - style 4 in screen . It ’s a not bad alternative if you want to be able to enjoy euphony , gaming , take in goggle box and picture , and more . It ’s the cheapest way to get iOS ( and with it Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ – the latter of which you will get costless for a yr ) . But it ’s still quite expensive compared to the old iPods Apple used to sell ( once upon a prison term you could grease one’s palms an iPad shuffle for £ 39 ) .
There are various iPod touch example useable from Apple :
Malus pumila used to deal the following model , which you may be able to find second hand :
Which iPod should I buy?
If you ’re look to buy aniPod , the interrogation of which one should you choose is easy to reply . Apple has discontinued all but the iPod touch , so if you would prefer one of the pocket-sized , cheaper options getting your hand on one wo n’t be as well-off as it used to be , but it is n’t impossible .
In many ways the decision about which iPod to get is really a selection between the iPod pinch and the next tone up – an iPhone 8 ( which is now the cheapest iPhone Apple sells – or an iPhone 7 which you may still get new from some networks ) , or an iPad . We would generally say that the iPhone or iPad offer a adept alternative to the iPod skin senses . Even if you are thinking of buying the equipment for someone who wo n’t have a SIM wit you may stilluse an iPhone without a SIM .
Despite the attractions of the iPad and iPhone , the iPod touch may well be the one for you . It offers far more than just a simple music player , coming equip with essentially all the features of a in full mature iPhone bar the cellular call capabilities , and it be less . It ’s not cheap though , starting at £ 199/$199 for 32 GB . A 64 GB iPhone 8 costs £ 479/$449 , just to put thing in perspective .
or else the 10.2 in iPad introduce in 2019 costs £ 349/$329 for a 32 GB variant .
With the high price of the iPod touch and the other Apple gadgets in brain , there will still be some citizenry concerned in the small-scale , since discontinued iPods , and for that reason we will still include them in our buying guide .
In this scout we will liken the various features of each iPod – such as capacity and battery life history – to determine which iPod is the one well beseem for your needs , although if you ’re in the market for an iPod Shuffle , nano or Classic , you ’ll have to expect beyond the Apple Store as they ’re no longer on - sale .
Read our olderiPod reviewsincluding :
iPod pricing and availability
An important part of any purchasing decision is knowing your budget . Before we go into any more detail , it ’s deserving noting that Apple has discontinued the iPod Shuffle , nano and Classic , so you ’ll only be able to purchase those from third - party retailers .
If you need to buy a new iPod from Apple you have the choice of three fashion model ofiPod Touchpriced at £ 199/$199 for 32 GB , £ 299/£299 for 128 GB and £ 399/$399 for 256 gigabyte . you’re able to buy one from Applehere .
If you really are n’t wait to spend a tidy sum on a twist , do n’t beware a limited set of functions , then the 2 GB iPod Shuffle might be a alluring option . It ’s been discontinued by Apple , but you may be capable to find one onAmazonoreBay . It cost around £ 39-£50 back in the day , so you should n’t yield much more than that unless you ’re desperate .
Moving up to an iPod nano will give you a few more advanced features and eight time the storage , but the terms jumps up at the same time . Again , Apple has block selling this theoretical account but there are options onAmazonandeBay . This used to be useable new for around £ 140 so do n’t go too much eminent than that if potential .
If you ’re looking for the authoritative iPod design you ’ll desire the iPod Classic . It ’s a short harder to find but you should be able-bodied to find one online – take a lookon Amazon here , oneBay hereandon Gumtree here . You might be surprised at how high their price tags are though – which mean if you ’ve got a classic to sell you could bring a seemly sum of money for the sure-enough iPod .
Which iPod is best?
iPod touch
The iPod skin senses is going to pull ahead this on the fundament that it ’s the only iPod still sold by Apple . But even if it was n’t it would still be our top choice for a number of reasons .
In the battle of the feature , the iPod ghost is in a different class to its little sib . As the only iPod to run a full interpretation of iOS , the iPod Touch has approach to the full App Store , with all the game , productiveness tool , social media , and photographic camera apps that you ’d expect to notice on an iPhone .
Apple updated it in May 2019 for the first clip since 2015 . It now has the A10 central processor ( the same as the iPhone 7 ) , can hightail it AR apps and works withApple Arcade . Its 4 in display take in it the smallest screen on an iOS machine that Apple still sells .
The iPod touch is also a fully functional net gimmick , so FaceTime , browse , chatting , and shopping are all available via its 4 in Retina screen . The built in tv camera , while not quite up to the iPhone quality , still offers keen dig that will go well on Instagram or Facebook – both of which are also available . It also has a earpiece jack – and come with a stage set of EarPods , apparently .
It ’s well the most advanced iPod there ’s ever been , and with the category turn down due to the proliferation of smartphones .
iPod nano
There are still mass for whom the iPod nano is ideal . Like the tinge , it is also a capable machine , but humble enough to carry anywhere . If you want a small iPod to drink down into your pocket at the gymnasium , and you are happy to look at 2nd hand manakin , this may well be the one for you . However , even when Apple was still selling the nano it was n’t cheap , it cost £ 159 for 16 Gbit .
Just be cognisant that even though it has a screen , it does not run iOS .
The most obvious feature that differentiates the iPod nano and the iPod Shuffle is the 2.5 in multi - touch display . This activate the iPod nano to have a range of a function of included apps that broaden its appeal . Music is , of course , still the principal function , with the cool power to make Genius premix on the fly ball by tap a button while a birdsong is playing ; the twist will then automatically generate a playlist from your library free-base around that cut .
A screen also intend video , with the iPod nano mirthfully playing any media synchronise to it from your iTunes account . It ’s avowedly not the bragging presentation for Hollywood blockbusters , but for quick fixes on the go , or to harbor the little ones , it does the job .
you’re able to also stack away picture on the iPod nano , and a establish - in FM radio set app makes it easy to keep up with the late music , news or sporting events . If you are a Nike Fitness user then you ’ll find the bespoke app on the iPod nano a handy addition , as the gimmick doubles as a fittingness tracker that can sync up to your NikePlus bill with detail of your workouts .
Bluetooth is also a utile feature of speech , as you’re able to heed to your tunes wirelessly on bluetooth earphone , or link up to a number of home and auto speakers . Unfortunately it wo n’t work with Apple Music .
There have been many iPod nano models over the years , the most late one looks like the film above , and has an Home Thomas Nelson Page with icons on it offering access to apps – but not the sort of apps you buy from the iOS App Store , unfortunately .
If you find a satisfying iPod nano for sale , note that this example , first introduced in 2010 , has become disused , which intend Apple is no longer plunk for it .
iPod shuffle
The iPod shuffle was the cheesy pick , cheap , and toughened – perfect for taking to the gymnasium . It ’s only flunk was the lack of entrepot space , maxing out at 2 GB . Just not enough for most music libraries . It also lacked a screen so opt euphony was n’t a unproblematic mental process . But you could credibly piece one up for next to nothingon eBaythese days .
In many ways theShuffleis probably the most true to that original iPod , as it focalise solely on playing audio . The want of a screen has meant that in the past you had to remember what was on the equipment , and switch between track was something of a drawing .
Later versions extend a Voice Over feature : the iPod Shuffle would read the name of the rail , podcast , audiobook , or play list to you and tolerate you to choose the one you want to listen to with nary a touch screen in sight .
This meant that you could have multiple play list on the machine without having to return to your iTunes program library . It was a simple addition , but it really did make the Shuffle a far more adequate to gimmick than past iterations . For that understanding we would suggest that if you were looking to beak up a 2nd - hand Shuffle you should ensure that it is a 4th - genesis model .
Which iPod is right for you?
The first question you should take yourself when considering a applied science purchase is this – what do I want from the twist ? It ’s all well and good buying the latest and greatest gadget , but this will be a wastefulness of money if you only intend to apply a fraction of its capabilities . If all you desire is some melodic accompaniment while you solve out at the gymnasium , the iPod jot is probably overkill – although now that it includes the M8 Saratoga chip for seaworthiness monitoring it might be exactly what you are looking for .
Conversely the shuffle can become a very thwarting gadget if you like to change the music you are listen to often as it ’s not very flexible – fundamentally shuffle the tracks you listen to .
How are the iPods different?
To lay out some of the more basic capabilities of the various iPods available we ’ll start with the reposition capacities of each model .
Storage
With the 160 GB iPod classic now a remote memory those wanting a large amount of computer memory on their iPod will have to furcate out for an iPod touch .
The iPod make is available with a rather modest 2 GB of store , while the iPod nano boasts a more spacious 16 gigabyte . It ’s worth stomach in mind that this means the shuffle can harbor around 450 songs encode at 128kbps , with the nano ’s 16 GB overstep out at around the 4,000 Saint Mark .
The only simulation to go higher than 16 GB is the iPod touch which is uncommitted in 32 GB , 128 GB and 256 GB variants . 128 GB and 256 GB should be more than enough for most people ’s iTunes ingathering . It ’s just a tad fret that Apple sells the 32 GB for £ 199/$199 , and then a £ 100/$100 premium to boost the storehouse : 128 GB is £ 299/$299 while 256 GB is £ 399/$399 . But that is still cheaper than buying an iPhone with the equivalent storage alternative .
Bear in mind that the truthful computer storage capacity of an iOS machine such as the iPod touch isless than the advertised electrical capacity .
Battery Life
iPods may not have the same always - on nature of smartphones , but stamp battery lifetime is still an of import constituent for any electronic equipment . You might think that the iPod shuffle would win this family due to the deficiency of a major power - sapping blind , its bantam sizing though means that it lasts for only 15 hours . This loses out to the nano which goes for around 30 hour , and the iPod contact – which houses the large shelling in the range – holding out for a massive 40 hour of listening fourth dimension .
If you determine television though , things immediately change , with the nano affording 3.5 hours and the touch reducing to 8 time of day .
Interestingly , while Apple is claim the 2015 iPod pinch offer improved barrage fire life the figures are exactly the same as previously .
Camera
Only the iPod touch bid a tv camera . This is an 8MP photographic camera similar to that inside the iPhone . You ’ll get the same photographic camera feature such as slow - mo television and burst modality shooting ( you wo n’t get prison term reverting though ) .
There ’s also a forward face FaceTime camera for making picture vociferation , or taking selfies . As camera go it ’s a beneficial choice , allowing you to edit pictures and share them to Facebook or similar as long as you have access to WiFi . And because you may download any apps from the App Store you may make habit of any photography apps you like . The iPod mite can also show video .
Video
Both the iPod touch and the iPod nano can play video , but the iPod touch offers a lot more flexibleness , and a bigger cover .
To watch video on the nano you will need to copy episodes of your favourite tv set display or film on to the gimmick . The iPod touching , on the other hand , can stream from the iTunes Store or work telecasting via any app you have .
Music
The iPod nano offers an FM wireless and will play up to 4,000 tune you have load onto it . The shuffle can store 450 Song dynasty encoded at 128kbps .
The iPod tactual sensation has the added welfare of access to the iTunes Music Store , which means you may download track onto the iPod , and even swarm them from Apple Music ( free for the first three month , then a subscription of £ 9.99 a month ) .
Colour options
All three type of iPod come in the following color : Silver , Gold , Space Grey , Pink , Blue , Red ( for the PRODUCT RED charity ) .
Summary
Having explored the various reward and compromises that each modelling offers , hopefully we ’ve shed a little more luminosity on the topic . Inevitably there will be some crossover between equipment , but we finger that each is distinct enough to use up its own home on the menu . With that in judgment here are a few final ratiocination regarding who might benefit most from the various iPods usable .
iPod Shuffle – We think that this one was the best for sports enthusiasts , due to the fact it ’s cheap , audacious , and can nip off onto anything . Those with smaller music libraries will also see the value of an inexpensive equipment that is still powerful thanks to the Voice Over feature film , and of course citizenry who do n’t want to drop a lot on a music role player .
iPod nano – Due to its size of it and sandboxed nature the iPod nano was an fantabulous iPod for young children . Those who generally want a svelte twist with more capability than a Shuffle will also find the little iPod a very attractive option , and if you do already use the NikePlus seaworthiness service , then the integrated app might well show a tipping breaker point .
iPod touch sensation – The touch was a very impressive equipment , but it has a price tag to match . In many ways it strays a morsel too close to the smartphone world to make it an really compelling gimmick for those who already own an iPhone . If you do want an internet capable , iOS gadget but findiPadsa snatch on the great size , then the iPod Touch will give you a good percentage of that experience , include a Retina screen , for a minute less than theiPad Mini 2 .
One area where it really beam though is as an entrance point to the Apple humans for teenagers that require to communicate with booster , determine the belated YouTube videos , hear to their medicine , and not have on-going bills for their parents to pay . And the newest good example add a better photographic camera and faster processor . This is also the only iPod that will let you make manipulation of your subscription to Apple Music .
Read : How to get music off an previous iPod
Is it worth owning an iPod these days?
After having written the article , we also thought to ask ourselves if buy an iPod is actually deserving it these 24-hour interval . antecedently , citizenry would corrupt an iPod because of its massive memory board capability . With music libraries ever increase in size , we find 2 - 16 GB a slight deficient for music storage . Considering around 1,000 songs takes around 8 Gi , people with multiple dissimilar albums will find that a Shuffle and nano does n’t provide them with enough storage space .
Moving up to the iPod pinch , it ’s clean-cut we have more storage capabilities – 32 GB ( £ 199 ) or 128 GB ( £ 299 ) alternative – but they also come at a hefty Mary Leontyne Price tag . An iPhone might be a desirable alternative , but they are more expensive still .
There are other selection out there , which do n’t endure on iOS , such as the FiiO X5 which can befound for around £ 290and be usedalongside two 128 GB microSDcards to supercharge its storehouse up to a massive 256 GB . We infer this is n’t the undecomposed of solutions for those who care the iOS platform , but considering the price and genuine use of the iPods , it make a lot more sense to have a histrion that ’s cheaper , provide more functionality and most importantly has more storage capabilities for your medicine .
Therefore , to reply the question , we do n’t feel an iPod can be in full justify , give the contest they have . However , if you ’re looking for a gadget that does n’t hold much space , such as the iPod Shuffle , then we still feel the iPods is still a unspoiled medicine source .
If you currently have an iPod and have a freestanding telephone , it ’s deserving keep custody of it , as it can supply you with that additional storage need for your music library .
We will have to see what Apple decide to do with the iPod melody , but we feel that either Apple with form out the iPod line , or add supernumerary computer storage capabilities for those looking for a better note value - for - money bargain .
