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
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) |
