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Comparing Hardware, Software and Prices: iPhone vs. iPod touch

By , About.com Guide

5th gen ipod touch

5th gen. iPod touch

image copyright Apple Inc.
Updated September 20, 2012

When you're considering buying a touchscreen-based multimedia and web device from Apple, choosing the iPhone 5 vs the iPhone 4S vs the iPhone 4 vs. the iPod touch can be tricky.

After all, the touch is slimmer and lighter, but the iPhone has a phone and Internet access virtually anywhere, to say nothing of the 5's big, high-quality screen and high-sped 4G LTE wireless networking.

On the other hand, getting those features adds $50-$120/month to the cost of an iPhone (that being the price of a monthly service plan), while the iPod touch requires no monthly fees.

Given that the devices are so similar, making the choice can be tough. In an effort to help those considering an iPhone vs. iPod touch, the chart below allows you to compare the devices head to head. And the links give more background about them.

Luckily, they’re both great, so whichever you choose, you won’t be sorry!

iPhone and iPod touch Reviews

  • Fifth Generation iPod touch - Coming Soon
  • iPhone 5 - Coming Soon
  • iPhone 4S
  • iPhone 4

Set Up Guides

iPhone vs. iPod touch

5th gen. iPod touch iPhone 5 iPhone 4S iPhone 4
Capacity 32 GB, 64 GB 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB 8 GB 8 GB
Screen size (inches)
/Resolution
4 /
1136 x 640
4 /
1136 x 640
3.5 /
960 x 640
3.5 /
480 x 320
Processor Apple A5 Apple A6 Apple A5 Apple A4
Battery Life Video: 10 hours
Audio: 40 hours
Talk/Video/Web: 8-10 hours
Audio: 40 hours
Talk/Video/Web: 8/10/9 hours
Audio: 40 hours
Talk/Video/Web: 7/10/10 hours
Audio: 40 hours
A-GPS No Yes Yes Yes
Camera 5 megapixel
& 720p
8 megapixel
& 1080p
8 megapixel
& VGA
5 megapixel
& VGA
Video Camera 720p HD 1080p HD 1080p HD 720p HD
FaceTime Yes Yes Yes Yes
Siri Yes Yes Yes No
Phone No Yes Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes Yes Yes
Size (in inches) 4.86 x 2.31
x 0.24
4.87 x 2.31
x 0.30
4.5 x 2.31
x .37
4.51 x 2.31
x .37
Weight (in ounces) 3.10 3.95 4.9 4.8
iOS 6 Support? 4th gen and later Yes Yes Yes
Monthly Fees No $55-$99 $55-$99 $55-$99
Price $299-$399 $199-$399
(w/ 2-year contract)
$99
(w/ 2-year contract)
Free
(w/ 2-year
contract)
Related Video
iPhone Review
Beginner iPhone Tips and Tricks

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