Apple Refreshes the iPod Touch, Keeps the Same Tiny-Ass 4″ Screen
Apple sent out a press release on Tuesday, announcing the launch of a new iPod Touch model. The good news is the retail price is still $199, and both the CPU and storage specs were both bumped (), but the bad news is the iPod Touch still has the same 4″, 1136 x 640 resolution screen as before.
The new iPod Touch ships with 32GB storage and an 8MP camera, and it is powered by the Apple A10 Fusion chip, the same CPU as was used in the iPhone 7. That is a considerable bump in power for a product line that was last refreshed in 2015, the more powerful chip "brings improved performance in games, and for the first time on iPod, immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences and Group FaceTime, making it easy to chat with family members, friends or colleagues simultaneously".
The iPod Touch 2019 is available today from Apple.
While that sounds very nice, if you want another option then I’d suggest that you get an off-network iPhone 6 or iPhone 7. The pay-as-you-go services like Tracfone are still selling older iPhone models like the iPhone 6 for as little as $175.
That iPhone model may be 5 years old but it still beats the new iPod Touch in terms of screen size (4.7″ vs 4″) and camera resolution (12MP vs 8MP). The CPU is a little weaker, but you can update the iPhone 6 to iOS 12.
I value screen size and camera over CPU power, so I would get the iPhone 6 over the new iPod Touch.
How about you?
Comments
Frank May 28, 2019 um 2:24 pm
There is a market for small smartphones (the Touch has Wi-Fi), so this fills it. The iPhone SE sold well and it needs a refresh too.
I’d rather have more CPU than camera or screen size if I had to pick between those two. Taking a while to load a webpage or app is not so fun.
Frank May 28, 2019 um 2:29 pm
Also, the iPhone 6 has an abysmal 16 GB of storage, but the 7 is the first iPhone to start at 32 GB. The Touch starts at 32 GB.
Also, Apple batteries start to be at half capacity after 2 years so it only lasts a few hours.
Nate Hoffelder May 28, 2019 um 2:52 pm
uh, no, the iPhone 6 I linked to has 32GB storage for under $179
Mike Cane May 29, 2019 um 8:51 am
Rumor is that the cutoff for iOS 13 will be iPhone 7, so that makes the 6 even less attractive. Tracfone’s 7 is US$324.
But yeah, there’s a case to be made for a used iPhone too.
Mike Cane May 29, 2019 um 8:57 am
BTW, there’s also the Xiaomi Redmi 6a: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1428492-REG/xiaomi_xia_rmi_6abl_16gb_redmi_6a_16gb_gsm.html
Apparition May 29, 2019 um 10:54 am
I for one am glad that the iPod Touch still has a four inch screen. I’m currently using a Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact smartphone. Once that dies, I am going back to a mobile flip phone and an iPod Touch. Smartphones today are just too danged huge. They actually hurt my hands to use for more than a few minutes at a time. I don’t understand it.
Nate Hoffelder May 29, 2019 um 11:30 am
I do understand where you’re coming from; my Smasung phone has a 5.5″ screen which is to large for one handed operation. I do wish I could use it one-handed, but on the other hand I feel a 4″ screen is just too small to be usable.