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Hands-On With Apple's New 7th-Generation iPod Touch
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Apple earlier this week introduced new iPod touch models, updating the 4-inch device for the first time since 2015. Not a lot has changed, but there's a new processor and updated storage tiers.
We thought we'd go hands-on with the new iPod touch to see if it still has a place in Apple's lineup in 2019 and who might want to purchase one.
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The new 7th-generation iPod touch is now Apple's smallest device and the sole device that has a 4-inch display. The smallest iPhones (7 and 8) have 4.7-inch displays, so the new iPod touch is a good bit smaller and comparable to an iPhone 5s or SE.
Coming to a 4-inch iPod touch from a larger iPhone is quite an adjustment because most of us are no longer used to using a device with such a small display. It's tiny and it's made from a lightweight aluminum, which is nice if you need something you can just tuck in a pocket.
We have the iPod touch in blue, but it's also available in five additional colors: pink, (PRODUCT)RED, silver, gold, and space gray. As with the previous-generation iPod touch, there are thick bezels at the top and bottom of the device.
The bottom bezel houses a Home button, but unlike the iPhone, there's no Touch ID built in. There's also no Face ID, because the iPod touch has no biometric authentication system at all. You need to use a passcode for unlocking the device.
Camera tech hasn't been updated, so the new iPod touch is still using an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, both of which are pretty far behind current camera technology in more modern Apple devices. For those who prefer wired headphones, there is a headphone jack.
The sole major update to the 7th-generation iPod touch is its new processor, which is an A10 Fusion chip that Apple first used in the 2016 iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The A10 Fusion chip is a good bit faster than the A8 chip that was in the 6th-generation iPod touch, but it's worth noting that it's underclocked in this new model compared to other A10 devices.
The A10 chip in the iPod touch is running at 1.6GHz compared to 2.3GHz in the 6th-generation iPad and iPhone 7, both of which use the A10 chip. Apple is undoubtedly underclocking the processor to save battery life. Since this is a 4-inch phone, it has a small battery.
The iPod touch earned a single-core Geekbench score of 2722 in our testing, and a multi-core score of 4695. That's a good bit slower than the 6th-generation iPad, which earned a single-core score of 3520 and a multi-core score of 6079.
It's faster than the 6th-generation iPod, though, which has a single-core Geekbench score of 1330 and a multi-core score of 2250. Apple also underclocked the A8 chip in the 6th-generation iPod touch, so having a chip that runs a bit slower in an iPod touch isn't new.
You can get the iPod touch with 32GB of storage for $199, while 128GB of storage will cost $299 and 256GB of storage (a new storage tier) will cost $399.
As for the question of who the iPod touch is for, it's not entirely clear. This is probably a good starter device for a younger child that needs access to games, FaceTime, iMessage, and other features, but there are also potential business applications, as this is an affordable device for something like mobile checkout. It could also be useful for schools looking for inexpensive Apple devices.
For the average person that has other Apple devices like an iPhone or iPad, you're probably not going to want to pick up an iPod touch unless you have a specific use case for it, such as listening to music with wired headphones while at the gym or something. Most people aren't going to have a use for an iPod touch over an iPhone, which is likely why it received only a modest processor update.
What do you think of the new iPod touch? Let us know in the comments.
Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's New 7th-Generation iPod Touch
My iPhone does everything I need plus cellular connection & Carplay. For the gym, Apple watch with streaming Apple music. So its a no for me dawg..
Right, it was called “buy a refurbed 6 gen before apple raised the prices on those”, too when the 7 gen came out.
The 6 gen processor hit is fine and doesn’t justify the huge 7 gen price increase.
Even if stuck with iOS 12, IMO a better deal if you got a refurbed unit earlier. Glad I did.
They should have a cellular version... oh wait...This is the iPhone SE you have been waiting for, less the cellular.
a few changes would be nice; ditch the cameras, upgrade the wireless/bluetooth chips, smaller bezel and just use the sleep wake button (ie classic iPods) instead of face or Touch ID.
I like having a dedicated music device, might be kind of silly today but its nice to not get distracted by the phone (apps, calls, messages, etc).
I like having a dedicated music device, might be kind of silly today but its nice to not get distracted by the phone (apps, calls, messages, etc).
Yup. This device is one of the most shameful releases from Tim Cook. Yet the apple apologists will tell you that this device is excellent value for the money
I'm personally having trouble understanding the value of an iPod touch, because it just seems like a redundant device, which means you have another device to buy, carry, track, and maintain, without a significant benefit.
If you keep just one device (e.g., an iPhone vs. an iPod), the physical risk to the device can be mitigated with a case and/or armband, the wireless and cellular antenna can be turned off so no phone calls come through, you're only going to drain 6.7% of your battery listening to your music in an hour-long workout, which will be restored in about 15 mins with a car charger on your way to/from the gym.
The beauty of the iPhone is that it is a single, multi-purpose device, eliminating the need to carry and keep track of multiple devices.
I think the iPod touch may be good as a single device for people who do not ever want any cellular functionality, but if you ever want cellular functionality, there is no point to have both an iPhone and iPod touch.
Correction in the video, the iPhone 8 is almost 2 years old, not 3. Came out with the iPhone X in 2017.
iPhone 8 is just a 7 with a different CPU and wireless charging
I’m really excited to get a 256GB one to be my media player and partner with an external DAC/AMP. It’s so thin and practically weightless. It really is an impressive device with no real alternative from other companies despite the negative comments it gets here.
Such an insulting comment:
Thanks for contributing.
On a more useful note: I wish this [iPod touch] came out a few months ago, it's the perfect size for my daughter. She likes her tablet but little kids can definitely hold an iPod easier.
I will say in support of Abazigal [despite his utterly rude comment]: how is the FLAC format superior? Just because it's open source? That itself would be ridiculous, have you ever had a device that can't play MP3?
Thanks for contributing.
On a more useful note: I wish this [iPod touch] came out a few months ago, it's the perfect size for my daughter. She likes her tablet but little kids can definitely hold an iPod easier.
I will say in support of Abazigal [despite his utterly rude comment]: how is the FLAC format superior? Just because it's open source? That itself would be ridiculous, have you ever had a device that can't play MP3?
Well the cheaper price and lack of a monthly cost is a benefit of an iPod, however, given that most people have a cell phone, I agree with you.
I would rather buy a used iPhone 7 Plus with 256 GB for $350.
Same capacity, bigger screen.
Same capacity, bigger screen.
Being able to afford something doesn’t mean I’ll piss away money on an overpriced product. I don’t care who makes it.
My 6th gen touch works just fine thank you.
There is nothing “premium” about the new touch. It’s and outdated product using outdated hardware. The price point for this is an insult.
One’s “Demographic” doesn’t mean jack squat. Affording Apple’s products has never been an issue for me. Look at my signature. I own plenty.
Throwing good money away for a brand name alone is foolish. There has to be a value tied to that premium price tag.
I’m my opinion, Tim overshot on this one. The updates are marginal at best.
How about mounting one in a room as a HomeKit “control panel” where you may not want/need something as big as an iPad mini?