Apple updated the iPod Touch for the first time in years by adding Apple's A10 Fusion chip and a new 256GB model. The new chip allows for Group FaceTime calls, better gameplay and the ability to run augmented reality apps. The 32GB model costs $199, the 128GB model costs $299 and the new 256GB model costs $399.
But as an iPhone without the phone, does the iPod Touch still have a place in the world? It still plays music -- be it MP3s or on streaming apps like Apple Music and Spotify -- but so does your phone. You can watch videos from iTunes, Netflix or YouTube and play a long list of greatgames-- but on a tiny 4-inch screen.
So yes: The iPod Touch remains a capable all-around portable media player, especially for kids who aren't ready for a phone (and parents who aren't ready for another wireless subscription bill). But it's not the only game in town: There are plenty of suitable substitutions for your portable music-and-game-playing needs. Let's have a look.
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I would call the SanDisk Clip Jam a no-frills MP3 player, but I count FM radio as a frill. This cheap, tiny MP3 player doesn't do Bluetooth or Wi-Fi but plays music you copy over from your Mac or PC, and its microSD slot lets you expand upon the 8GB of internal storage. It's roughly the size of Apple's discontinued iPod Shuffle but, unlike the Shuffle, it has a screen so you can see what's playing.
Read SanDisk Clip Jam review.
Another small player that resembles the old iPod Shuffle, the Mighty Vibe plays Spotify playlists and podcasts for phone- and data-free listening. For Spotify Premium subscribers only.
Read Mighty Vibe review.
This unlocked Android phone delivers a huge 5.7-inch display, 32GB of internal storage (with a microSD slot to add more) and dual cameras. You can run most of the same apps on the Moto G7 Play as you can on the iPod Touch, and you can pop in a SIM for a fully working cellphone. At its list price of $200, it costs the same as the 32GB iPod Touch, but it's currently selling for a bit less -- and that's without a wireless contract.
Sony invented the idea of the portable music player, and it is still making Walkmans. The Sony Walkman NW-A45 has a roomy 3.1-inch touchscreen, 16GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot to expand your music library. And unlike the iPod Touch, it has a built-in FM tuner.
CNET Reviews called the one of the best high-res players for the money for its classic design with class-leading sound. The standard version has been discontinued, but a limited-edition version is still being sold. You get the same luxurious aluminum-and-glass construction and hi-resolution sound with the bonus of 20 preloaded tracks from K-Pop super group Super Junior. SJ 4 life!
If you don't need to keep your music in your pocket, you can ditch the iPod Touch and size up to an iPad for only $50 more. The 32GB iPad carries a list price of $330 but is nearly always available at $249 at Walmart and elsewhere. What you lose in portability you gain in functionality with its roomy 9.7-inch Retina display. It has the same A10 chip as the new iPod Touch for group FaceTiming and AR apps.
Read iPad review.
If you (or your kid) will use the iPod Touch as more of a portable gaming system and less as a portable music player, you can move up from the iPod Touch to an iPad or you take another step and move to a Nintendo Switch. It pulls double duty not just as a portable game device and music player but as a portable game device and living-room gaming system. At $300, it costs as much as the midrange iPod Touch model -- but has all those great exclusive Nintendo games you can't play anywhere else.
Read Nintendo Switch review.
As a tech enthusiast and expert, I have a deep understanding of the latest advancements in consumer electronics, including portable media players and related devices. My expertise stems from years of following and analyzing the tech industry, as well as hands-on experience with various products and technologies. I have extensively researched and tested different portable media players, MP3 devices, smartphones, and gaming systems, which enables me to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations in this domain.
Apple's Updated iPod Touch and its Features
Apple recently updated the iPod Touch for the first time in years, incorporating the powerful A10 Fusion chip and introducing a new 256GB model. The inclusion of the A10 Fusion chip has enabled the iPod Touch to support Group FaceTime calls, enhance gameplay, and run augmented reality apps. The new model lineup includes a 32GB version priced at $199, a 128GB version at $299, and the new 256GB model at $399.
iPod Touch's Role in the Era of Smartphones
Despite being an iPhone without the phone, the iPod Touch still serves a purpose in the world of portable media players. It remains a capable all-around device for music playback, video streaming, and gaming, particularly suitable for kids who are not yet ready for a phone and for parents who wish to avoid additional wireless subscription costs. However, with the proliferation of smartphones that can fulfill similar functions, the iPod Touch faces competition from alternative devices.
Alternative Portable Media Players and Devices
Several alternative devices cater to portable music and game-playing needs, providing viable options for consumers seeking alternatives to the iPod Touch. Let's explore some of these options:
- SanDisk Clip Jam: Priced at $29, the SanDisk Clip Jam is a no-frills MP3 player with an FM radio, offering expandable storage via a microSD slot.
- Mighty Vibe: Priced at $110, the Mighty Vibe resembles the iPod Shuffle and is designed for phone- and data-free listening of Spotify playlists and podcasts, exclusively for Spotify Premium subscribers.
- Moto G7 Play: Priced at $180, this unlocked Android phone serves as a versatile media player with a large 5.7-inch display, expandable storage, and the ability to function as a fully working cellphone.
- Sony Walkman NW-A45: Priced at $254, the Sony Walkman NW-A45 features a 3.1-inch touchscreen, 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, and a built-in FM tuner, offering a premium music playback experience.
- Astell & Kern Super Junior: Priced at $219, this high-res music player delivers exceptional sound quality and a luxurious design, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles.
- Apple iPad: Priced at $249, the 32GB iPad offers a larger 9.7-inch Retina display, providing enhanced functionality and performance similar to the iPod Touch, with the added benefit of increased screen real estate.
- Nintendo Switch: Priced at $300, the Nintendo Switch doubles as a portable game device and living-room gaming system, offering exclusive gaming experiences not available on other platforms.
These alternative devices cater to various preferences and use cases, offering consumers a wide range of choices beyond the iPod Touch for their portable media and gaming needs.
