iPhone Vs. iPod Touch
Somebody was asking me about the main differences between the iPhone and iPod Touch the other day, and I thought it
might be a good idea to put that information in blog form for those of you facing a similar dilemma.
The first thing most folks want to know about is price. The Touch (shown at right) offers three different capacities: the 8GB for $229, the $16GB for $299, and the 32GB for $399. There are only two models of the iPhone offered: the $199 8GB, and the $299 16GB.
As for features, the one key difference is that the iPhone is a (duh) phone! The Touch is not a phone, although it has most of the other offerings of the iPhone, including an iPod music player; applications via Apples AppStore; and the ability to watch videos and manage photos.
The Touch, overall, offers less functionality. For instance, data can only be retrieved via a wi-fi network, not through a cell network. What this means is that you have to be in an area that has a wi-fi connection available, like a coffee shop or home network, to be able to wirelessly download songs, videos or applications via the iTunes store. With an iPhone, you can download information anywhere you can use your phone; this is a big advantage over the Touch, in my opinion. Although more and more places are offering wi-fi, it’s not found anywhere near as often as a cellphone signal.
Another thing the iPhone (shown at left) has that the Touch doesn’t have is external speakers. To hear audio on the Touch, you need to use headphones. That can be limiting if, for instance, you want to watch a video or listen to a game’s audio with a friend, or you just don’t have your headphones with you.
The Touch also lacks a camera. While the iPhone’s camera isn’t a knockout, it’s still serviceable, and great for getting impromptu snaps. It’s odd to me that the Touch doesn’t have a camera, even though it has photo management software.
As for the iPhone’s downside, there’s really only a couple that jump to mind: First, you have to have a $30/month data plan with the iPhone, and it’s not optional. It doesn’t cost you anything extra to use your Touch. That can be a deal-breaker for many.
The other downside, at least for those in the U.S., is that iPhones, as sold, work only on the AT&T network. I say “as sold” because iPhones can be hacked and used on other carrier networks. Hacking them has its own issues however, in that it voids your warranty, so if you need to return your phone, you’re out of luck.
In all, the iPhone comes out ahead in most ways over the Touch. That doesn’t mean the Touch is a bad gadget; quite the contrary, it’s a fabulous device. But in comparison with the iPhone, it doesn’t measure up quite as well.
On the other hand, you may not be in the market for a phone right now, or don’t want to switch providers. For those folks, along with the budget-conscious who don’t want to shell out an additional $30 per month, the Touch is a home run.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 by Keith
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I just bought my wife a touch and listened to it without headphones.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:34 amObviously this hasn’t been updated for years, now the Touch does have speakers and it has the shiny metal around the screen
May 8th, 2009 at 7:31 pmseriously, this really doesn’t help me much. i will be getting either one of them in 1week time. so i really need an answer of which one is better and whats really the difference?!
May 22nd, 2009 at 6:21 amHi Grace, the main difference is that one is a phone (iPhone) and one isn’t (Touch). That should be your decision point, since most of the other details are the same. Good luck!
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:05 pmWell obviously the iphone is better because of the calling capability, but is it it necessary for you? If you dont have sprint or dont want phone access than it is wise to just go with the itouch. the new second generation itouch has the built in speaker so that covers alot of complaints. the biggest downside of the iphone is the additional charges. required 30+ a month will add up alot if you think about it.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:32 amHey guys, the ipod touch does have the ability to call other phones with the app Icall or fring. It can also call computers with skype and does have msn aswell. The only difference being the iphone has basically a shitty camera these days
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 amHehe. Someone said the article hasn’t been updated for years… not quite.
This article was posted here February 11th, 2009. So obviously the writer just didn’t know his facts.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pmThe 8 gig iPhone is now $100 the 8 gig Touch is $230.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:16 pmIf the iPhone can be used with WiFi with out the $30 a month fee. Why get an Touch. You get a camera and the option at a latter time to subscribe for the phone service.
THANKS!!! u guys helped me so much. i think ill get the iphone.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:38 amFYI…You can’t use wifi on the iphone unless a. It’s been activated with AT and T, or b. it’s “jailbroken”.
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 pmWell, I’m just saying, but i think the touch is better. Almost everything about the touch and the iPhone are practically the same now, except for the fact that you have to pay 30$ a month no matter if you spend or not on the iPhone. So unless you’re a big pig about music, the touch is for you.
August 1st, 2009 at 10:18 pmthe first generation ipod touch had no speakers. the 2nd generation added speakers as well as a few other funtions. my friends have all bought the touch cuase you dont have to pay the $30 a month and wi-fi areas are everywhere now. i wish the price would drop a little tho!
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:47 am