iPod touch Best old iPod Touch for gaming (July 2016)

[theuncle2k]

Hello,
I am not accustomed to actual Apple hardware specification as my experience comes from several years ago, so I thought I'd ask to you for an advice:
Some 5 years ago I got my first iPod Touch, a 4th gen, and I fell in love with it mostly thanks to the quality of some gaming apps within the appstore. Unfortunately I drowned it, called it a day and moved on choosing a cheap smartphone.
Now I find myself with the urge to go back to that gold mine of apps, although my wallet is asking me to be as cautious as possible.
So my question is: if I were to use the iPod touch for gaming only, what is the oldest generation you'd feel to recommend? I would like to add that I do not expect to run the latest tripleA 3D games, but at least being able to install and play simple games without problems. My major concern is probably about the iOS version: if it is too outdated can I still be able to install apps?

 

[spyguy10709]

Hello,
I am not accustomed to actual Apple hardware specification as my experience comes from several years ago, so I thought I'd ask to you for an advice:
Some 5 years ago I got my first iPod Touch, a 4th gen, and I fell in love with it mostly thanks to the quality of some gaming apps within the appstore. Unfortunately I drowned it, called it a day and moved on choosing a cheap smartphone.
Now I find myself with the urge to go back to that gold mine of apps, although my wallet is asking me to be as cautious as possible.
So my question is: if I were to use the iPod touch for gaming only, what is the oldest generation you'd feel to recommend? I would like to add that I do not expect to run the latest tripleA 3D games, but at least being able to install and play simple games without problems. My major concern is probably about the iOS version: if it is too outdated can I still be able to install apps?

I almost hesitate to recommend buying an ipod touch for gaming when there are better value options for iOS gaming. Stuck on iOS 6, the ipod touch 4th gen isn't really a viable option for gaming, considering many newer games require a newer version of iOS. The iPod touch 5th gen has the same chip as the iPhone 4S - but is commanding a hefty premium on the used market, at least in the USA, commanding about 150 for a 32 gig. Unfortunately, the A5 chip of the 4S is getting really long in the tooth (*especially* for gaming with only 512MB of RAM), and may not be supported in the final release of iOS 10 (contradicting info has been released by apple). I wouldn't recommend buying a dead-product-walking for that kind of money. That leaves us with the current gen (6th). It's got the 64-bit A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. It's powerful, great for gaming, and will probably be supported for a long time. Major downside - the cost. I wouldn't recommend shelling out that kind of cash.

However, there is another option - buying a used iPhone 5. It's got the 64-bit A6 chip (which is closer in performance to an A8 than it is to the A5), and 1GB of RAM. And the best part? You can pick one up in decent shape for around a hundred bucks. Even if you don't use it as your phone, it's cheaper than buying a more-outdated iPod touch... And has a better camera to boot!

 

[kaydot]

I almost hesitate to recommend buying an ipod touch for gaming when there are better value options for iOS gaming. Stuck on iOS 6, the ipod touch 4th gen isn't really a viable option for gaming, considering many newer games require a newer version of iOS. The iPod touch 5th gen has the same chip as the iPhone 4S - but is commanding a hefty premium on the used market, at least in the USA, commanding about 150 for a 32 gig. Unfortunately, the A5 chip of the 4S is getting really long in the tooth (*especially* for gaming with only 512MB of RAM), and may not be supported in the final release of iOS 10 (contradicting info has been released by apple). I wouldn't recommend buying a dead-product-walking for that kind of money. That leaves us with the current gen (6th). It's got the 64-bit A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. It's powerful, great for gaming, and will probably be supported for a long time. Major downside - the cost. I wouldn't recommend shelling out that kind of cash.

However, there is another option - buying a used iPhone 5. It's got the 64-bit A6 chip (which is closer in performance to an A8 than it is to the A5), and 1GB of RAM. And the best part? You can pick one up in decent shape for around a hundred bucks. Even if you don't use it as your phone, it's cheaper than buying a more-outdated iPod touch... And has a better camera to boot!

Although I'm sure you have a wealth of money invested in the Apple AppStore, I'd also look at a non-activated Android phone, particularly one with a user replaceable battery. Gaming churns through battery life spans way too fast and having that replaceable battery can be nice in the long run. As well, the bigger screens of older Androids are quite enjoyable for gaming and easier to place the plants/kill the zombies, etc. (and didn't arrive on Apple until the 6)
I recently looked at the Galaxy S5 (can get used for $150 or less) and the Moto G as slightly older, still capable phones. At this point, almost all major games are released on both iOS and Android, and you might be able to save the Apple resale premium.

 

[stubbornapple]

It's got the 64-bit A6 chip

The iPhone 5 does not have 64 bit, it was the 5s that had the 64 bit A7 chip.

 

[jdiamond]

However, there is another option - buying a used iPhone 5. It's got the 64-bit A6 chip (which is closer in performance to an A8 than it is to the A5), and 1GB of RAM. And the best part? You can pick one up in decent shape for around a hundred bucks. Even if you don't use it as your phone, it's cheaper than buying a more-outdated iPod touch... And has a better camera to boot!

Yes, as the prior comment mentions, it's the iPhone 5S that is the first iOS device on Apple's "modern" platform. However, the release of the iPhone SE, arguably higher performing and cheaper (the $250 price drop means a new iPhone SE costs less than a used 5s), means the iPhone 5S's are now not really worth the cost over a new SE. Also a warning - I got an iPhone 5S with no warranty, and the IC chip burnt out twice in the first year. Since Apple no longer repairs iPhones but merely replaces them, I had to pay $300 each time for a new one (their special low cost replacement with also no warranty deal). Literally less than 2 weeks later, the iPhone SE launched. So I'd personally not buy a 5S without a warranty. No idea how strengthened the SE is.

 

[theuncle2k]

Thank you very much for your replies. They have been very helpful.

@spyguy10709 you have been very detailed in your description and I learnt a lot. As I understand iPod touch tend to always have a chipset one generation older than the iPhones from the same generation. Although this is understandable that makes them indeed kind of a poor choice for gaming unless in my country used iPod come cheap for whatever reason (and this is not the case). At this point I think I might go with the iPhone 5 as you suggested. They then to reach a bit more than 100 bucks, but it still affordable and a great quality/price ratio.

@kaydot I agree with you. I tend to prefer android phones and in fact I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini as main phone that can still handle recent games despite its age. Also true that most games are ported or multi-platform. My problem here is that I fell in love with a handful of games that haven't and will never be ported (according to the developers themselves) and there is no working and legal way to emulate iOS at the moment. Yes, for me there are mobile killer applications XD

@jdiamond Thank you for the warning. I understand that Apple releases are fast, always improving and there is a chance that a product is pushed in the "obsolete" bin without warning. That was actually the main concern that convinced me to open this thread. I also understand the problems of buying a used phone. Although I am thinking to take my chances, if I do not find a good used listing I can always wait and save money for a new one.

In my opinion the problem is solved, at least now, on July 2016. Feel free to discuss it further.

 

[Paddle1]

Thank you very much for your replies. They have been very helpful.

@spyguy10709 you have been very detailed in your description and I learnt a lot. As I understand iPod touch tend to always have a chipset one generation older than the iPhones from the same generation. Although this is understandable that makes them indeed kind of a poor choice for gaming unless in my country used iPod come cheap for whatever reason (and this is not the case). At this point I think I might go with the iPhone 5 as you suggested. They then to reach a bit more than 100 bucks, but it still affordable and a great quality/price ratio.

@kaydot I agree with you. I tend to prefer android phones and in fact I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini as main phone that can still handle recent games despite its age. Also true that most games are ported or multi-platform. My problem here is that I fell in love with a handful of games that haven't and will never be ported (according to the developers themselves) and there is no working and legal way to emulate iOS at the moment. Yes, for me there are mobile killer applications XD

@jdiamond Thank you for the warning. I understand that Apple releases are fast, always improving and there is a chance that a product is pushed in the "obsolete" bin without warning. That was actually the main concern that convinced me to open this thread. I also understand the problems of buying a used phone. Although I am thinking to take my chances, if I do not find a good used listing I can always wait and save money for a new one.

In my opinion the problem is solved, at least now, on July 2016. Feel free to discuss it further.

iPhone 5 should be okay for at least a year with iOS 10. Just keep in mind you won't be able to run apps or games that require 64-bit.

 

[ackmondual]

I almost hesitate to recommend buying an ipod touch for gaming when there are better value options for iOS gaming. Stuck on iOS 6, the ipod touch 4th gen isn't really a viable option for gaming, considering many newer games require a newer version of iOS. The iPod touch 5th gen has the same chip as the iPhone 4S - but is commanding a hefty premium on the used market, at least in the USA, commanding about 150 for a 32 gig. Unfortunately, the A5 chip of the 4S is getting really long in the tooth (*especially* for gaming with only 512MB of RAM), and may not be supported in the final release of iOS 10 (contradicting info has been released by apple). I wouldn't recommend buying a dead-product-walking for that kind of money. That leaves us with the current gen (6th). It's got the 64-bit A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. It's powerful, great for gaming, and will probably be supported for a long time. Major downside - the cost. I wouldn't recommend shelling out that kind of cash.

If you're going to get an IpT for gaming, IpT6 is the only way to go at this point. IpT4 is VERY outdated, and while IpT5 can still work (what I'm currently using), it doesn't seem like you'd save that much more $$ over and IpT6 to make it worth the while.

Otherwise, if you're going all "road warrior", being able to swap in a fresh battery can come in handy.

Iph5s or IphSE appears to be decent choice if going that route. See if you can get a phone with a bad ESN to save further money if you don't care about using the cellular portion of the phone (so wifi and Bluetooth only).


Oh, and curious, I thought the IpT6 is still cheaper than many of its iPhones in comparison. Are you saying it's still not a good bang for the buck? Or at least vs. other options?
[doublepost=1469130921][/doublepost]

Although I'm sure you have a wealth of money invested in the Apple AppStore, I'd also look at a non-activated Android phone, particularly one with a user replaceable battery. Gaming churns through battery life spans way too fast and having that replaceable battery can be nice in the long run. As well, the bigger screens of older Androids are quite enjoyable for gaming and easier to place the plants/kill the zombies, etc. (and didn't arrive on Apple until the 6)
I recently looked at the Galaxy S5 (can get used for $150 or less) and the Moto G as slightly older, still capable phones. At this point, almost all major games are released on both iOS and Android, and you might be able to save the Apple resale premium.

The only non-issue with user replaceable batteries is that if you anticipate on ditching the device within a few years anyways (assuming new, or the battery has that life in it in a used device). For examples... You'll be switching devices anyways, or may accidently break it (if you're prone to doing that).