iPod touch

Improved, but is it for you?

From $199 From Apple, apple.com

Features 4–inch Retina display, A10 Fusion chip, 32GB–256GB storage (256GB reviewed), 8MP camera, 88g weight, six colors

These days, the iPod touch seems to be one of Apple’s “forgotten” devices. This year, though, Apple has updated the iPod touch by giving it 2016’s A10 Fusion chip and a new 256GB capacity. Prices start at $199 for the 32GB model and go up to $399 for the 256GB version.

The A10 processor may be a few years old now, but it’s plenty fast enough for the iPod touch. Apps load in a snap, and even the chunkiest, most demanding games like Asphalt 9 run smoothly.

Its real advantage, though, is its size. At just 88g it’s by far the lightest of Apple’s iPhone and iPod devices. Coming from one of Apple’s more recent phones like an iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR, you’ll be amazed at how small it is. Just think — all of Apple’s phones used to be this size (but never this light).

Now here’s an interesting situation. Apple has disabled the Phone app, so theoretically you’re limited to text messages and on–device tasks. The reality, though, is a little different. Download Facebook Messenger, for example, and you can make Wi–Fi calls. That means you get the call and text capabilities of an iPhone as long as you’re within Wi–Fi range. But you won’t be able to take it out into the middle of nowhere and be able to call people.

That means if you’re hoping for a new iPhone SE, you’re out of luck; the iPod touch is not a true phone replacement. There’s also no Face ID or even Touch ID; no dual camera support; no edge–to–edge screen. There is, however, a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The $199 price tag for the 32GB model is reasonable. You can get a 16GB Sony Walkman MP3 player for around $140, but that has half the storage and no access to Apple Music (or other streaming services). Paying $399 for the 256GB iPod touch is a tougher sell, as you’re starting to move towards iPhone price territory.

Where the iPod touch is hard to justify is when it’s compared to the iPhone 7, which is $449 for the 32GB model. Though that’s over twice the price of the 32GB iPod touch, you get Touch ID, a bigger screen, plus full phone and messaging capabilities. Apple will let you trade in an older iPhone to get money off; trade in a 16GB iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 7 drops to $299, for example.

Should you buy an iPod touch, then? Well, the 32GB model would certainly make the perfect portable music and games device for a child who doesn’t need a phone yet. Add them to an Apple Music family subscription and they get as much music as they could ever want, too.

Otherwise, it’s a pretty hard sell. Most people already have a phone that can play music — do you need an iPod touch as well? You can get a second–hand 32GB iPhone 7 for the same price as the base iPod touch, and it’s far, far more capable. The iPod touch is a great device — just give it plenty of thought before buying one.

the bottom line. A good device in its own right, but hard to justify unless it’s being bought for kids.