When you’re considering buying a touchscreen-based multimedia and web device from Apple, choosing the iPhone 3G vs. the iPhone 3GS 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 3G S' video recording and editing features.
On the other hand, getting those features adds $80-$120/month to the cost of an iPhone (that being the price of an AT&T service plan), while software updates for the iPod touch sometimes cost $10 (this has to do with Apple’s accounting system, but it’s frustrating for iPod touch owners).
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
- Original iPhone
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3G S Coming Soon
- Second Generation iPod touch
iPhone vs. iPod touch
| Original iPhone | iPhone 3G | iPhone 3GS | iPod touch | |
| Capacity | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB | 8GB, 16GB | 16GB, 32GB | 8GB, 32GB, 64GB |
| Multitouch screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen size (inches) /Resolution |
3.5 / 480 x 320 | 3.5 / 480 x 320 | 3.5 / 480 x 320 | 3.5 / 480 x 320 |
| Battery Life | Talk/Video/Web: 8/7/6 hours Audio: up to 24 hours |
Talk/Video/Web: 5/7/5 hours Audio: up to 24 hours |
Talk/Video/Web: 5/10/5 hours Audio: up to 30 hours |
Up to 30/6 hours |
| GPS | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Camera | 2 megapixel | 2 megapixel | 3.2 megapixel | No |
| Video Camera | No | No | Yes | No |
| Onboard Video Editing | No | No | Yes | No |
| App Store Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Phone network | EDGE | 3G/EDGE | 3G/EDGE | N/A |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Size (in inches) | 4.5 x 2.4 x .46 | 4.5 x 2.4 x .48 | 4.5 x 2.4 x .48 | 4.3 x 2.4 x .33 |
| Weight (in ounces) | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.05 |
| Free Software Updates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes; some cost $10 |
| Monthly Fees | $60-$110 | $70-$120 | TBD | No |
| Original Price | $499/$599 (no longer sold) | $99/N/A (no longer sold | $199/$299 | $199/$299/$399 |
