Apple has unveiled its next-generation iPod touch. It looks like an iPhone 5, with the same 4 inch, 1136 x 640 pixel display. But the 5th-generation iPod touch doesn’t make phone calls, it’s even thinner than the new iPhone, and it has a last-generation processor.

It’s available for purchase for $299 and up. That’s more expensive than last the 4th gen model, but that’s because the new iPod touch has a faster processor, bigger screen, and a better camera, among other improvements.

The 5th-gen iPod touch measures 6.1mm (0.24 inches) thick and weighs 88 grams (3.1 ounces). It’s the thinnest and lightest iPod touch to date, even though it has the largest screen yet.

It’s powered by an Apple A5 processor — much like the iPad 2 or the iPhone 4. That’s a step up from the 4th generation iPod touch, which has an A4 chip, but it falls short of the new A6 processor in the iPhone 5. Apple says that chip offers twice the graphics and CPU performance of an A5.

Apple says the iPod touch is the “world’s most popular” media player, and also portable gaming device — and the new dual core chip should help boost gaming performance.

The new iPod touch has a 5MP camera, LED flash and autofocus — features which weren’t available on the fixed-focus camera on the last iPod touch.

Apple is also included a panorama mode and support for 1080p HD video recording with the rear camera.

Like the iPhone 5, there’s a new FaceTime HD front-facing camera which can shoot 720p video, and the company has added an optional wrist strap which comes in handy if you plan to use the iPod touch as a point-and-shoot camera, or hand it to your kid for mobile gaming.

Apple is adding Bluetooth 4.0 to the iPod touch, along with dual-channel 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi.

The iPod touch also now gets AirPlay mirroring support, letting you pair the device with an Apple TV to stream games, videos, or other content to a TV.

And for the first time, you can now use Siri voice recognition on the iPod touch.

Apple iPod touch 5th gen

Apple will offer 5 color options: yellow, pink, blue, black, and white.

The 5th-gen iPod touch goes up for pre-order this week and should ship in October. A 32GB model costs $299, while a 64GB model runs $399.

Apple will also offer a cheaper option: The 4th-gen iPod touch. The company is keeping the older models alive, but it’s phasing out the 8GB version.

You can now pick up a 4th generation 16GB iPod touch for $199 or a 32GB model for $249.

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33 replies on “Apple’s 5th-gen iPod touch: It’s stripped down $299 iPhone 5 without the phone”

  1. ipod needs to have the calling on it i mean its cheaper than the phone but its just like the phone without the whole calling which is stupid

  2. do they come in 16gb? thats all i need, because i bought a 4th gen 32 gb a couple of weeks ago but its way to much

  3. really wish they came with 8GB my kids want one and they dont need it that big

    1. Seriously, stay from 8 GB. The smallest you should ever get is 16 GB. If you get 8 GB you only actually get to use 5 GB because of the huge amount of space Apple reserved for the OS.

  4. people said i shouldn’t get it because people can steal it from me and that i shouldn’t throw my money away and i really want the ipod touch 5g but all i have is a stupid Mp3 player it really sucks.what should i do????maybe i should just get the ipod touch 4.?.?.?

  5. HHHHOOOOOLLLYYYYYYY SIRI-NESS
    YEEEEES i dont need an iPhone 4S anymore i can get siri on my ipod

    1. Bro, you do know that Siri works just fine on every Apple device using an A4 chip and up?

      1. Actually, if you have not noticed, none of the devices that have an A4 chip have Siri. the iPod Touch 4 does not have it and the iPhone 4 does not have it. It is A5 and up. Unless you want to jailbreak/port Siri into that A4 device, you are out of luck. If you dont want a phone but want Siri, get the iPod Touch 5. Trust me, It is much more worth it than jailbreaking just to get Siri.

  6. I have one pre ordered and the ship date is in october but october when!?!? like october 1st or at the end of the month. I sold my ipod touch 4th gen for this new ipod and now im ipodless…

  7. “But the 5th-generation iPod touch doesn’t make phone calls” I think you meant, “doesn’t make cellular phone calls”. It should make phone calls just fine via soft phone and WiFi, right? or am I missing something?

    1. It depends on your definition of a phone. Yes, you can make calls with Skype or other apps… but the iPod touch doesn’t have the right speaker/mic setup to hold the device up to your ear to make a call the way you would with a phone.

      Instead you’ll either need to treat it like a speakerphone or plug in a headset.

  8. It’s hilarious seeing some people point out how different this is compared to the iPhone 5, when the only things it cut out were the phone, gps/cell connection, one mic, and the proccessor. It has the exact same screen – the same panel. They’ve made that point before.

    1. You’re hilarious. Thanks for pointing the differences out!

    2. That’s four things, five if you count GPS and cellular radios as separate points. That’s a pretty major difference in devices like this.

  9. Unfortunately, no GPS chip. I’d get one if I could use it for off the grid navigation.

  10. “iPhone 5 without the phone”. Except the iPhone 5 uses an A6 processor, whereas the new iPod Touch uses an A5 processor.

      1. And without a gps or quality of LCD or same CPU or same amount of memory or same quality of camera, or same quality/number of microphones, or navigation. Hey guess what? It’s not an iPhone at all!

        1. iPod uses same quality of LCD and same quality of camera. Hey guess what? Its an iPhone with phone!

    1. what are talking about on apple.com it says the new ipod has an A6 processor in it.

    1. This is not a samsung product no one cares about galaxy apples are awesome and better

  11. Thanks for using the word “similar” when comparing the screen to the new iPhone 5.

    Because, as with the previous generation, the screen could be the same size as the iPhone, but not necessarily using the same exact display panel as in the iPhone.

    1. Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. The 4th gen iPod touch display is pretty good, but it’s not quite iPhone 4 quality.

        1. Wow. That’s pretty cool! That goes a ways toward justifying the higher price of the new iPod Touch.

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