iFixit Tears Down Apple's New iPod Touch 5G

[Anthony Bouchard]

Just as people started getting their hands on Apple’s new iPod touch 5G, so have the folks at iFixit! They have given the new device the usual treatment of being torn apart in order to reveal the internals. Most of what we see in the new iPod touch 5G isn’t new, although it does adopt a few new features such as the four-inch display, lightning connector, and wrist strap.



The iPod touch comes with the same dual-core A5 chip that comes in the iPhone 4S and a 5-megapixel camera. For the first time in an iPod touch, the device comes with 512MB of memory – double the amount of memory found inside of the iPod touch 4G. iFixit also points out that the battery can hold more juice than the battery in the previous generation iPod touch.

iFixit also had some issues with the iPod touch 5G, sharing that the display seemed “cheaper” and the home button seemed “weaker” than the iPhone 5’s screen and home button. This illustrates how Apple continues to make the iPod touch at just a little bit of a lower build quality than their prized product, the iPhone. Due to all the soldering inside of the iPod touch 5G, iFixit claims the repairability is low, with a rating of only 3 out of 10 (10 being easiest to repair).

To the end user, the repairability isn’t much of a problem, since most people aren’t digging inside of their devices to try to fix things that go wrong. If you like slim devices, the iPod touch 5G is certainly going to fit your taste. With the varying colors, you can find the one that suits your mood. The iPod touch 5G also comes in flavors of 32GB and 64GB of storage, although Apple did axe the 8GB model.

Sources: iFixit

[teej1410]

I'm kind of sad at the new iPod Touch. I knew Apple makes the iPhone superior to the iPod Touch but seriously? They should have given the iPod the same amount of ram and the same processor as the iPhone 5.

[MPS3]

any chance of GPS in this model ?
looking to make this in to my GPS for my car along with MP3

[Scotty Manley Silberhorn]

any chance of GPS in this model ?
looking to make this in to my GPS for my car along with MP3

GPS in these devices would be a terrible and useless idea. You wouldn't have Internet access to render the maps when your on the road. GPS is only granted to devices that can connect to the Internet on the go. That's why they didn't put GPS in the iPad wifi versions.

[Mrteacup]

I'm kind of sad at the new iPod Touch. I knew Apple makes the iPhone superior to the iPod Touch but seriously? They should have given the iPod the same amount of ram and the same processor as the iPhone 5.

I mean it doesnt really need it but in a way i have to agree since they did drop the 8gb/16gb.. the 32 and 64 have always had more ram but seriously you are forcing people to buy the 32 AND you skipped out on last year! the least you could do is give it more ram..

[trh2086]

GPS in these devices would be a terrible and useless idea. You wouldn't have Internet access to render the maps when your on the road. GPS is only granted to devices that can connect to the Internet on the go. That's why they didn't put GPS in the iPad wifi versions.

You don't need internet access for GPS to work. My Android phone has been out of service for about 3 months now and I still use the GPS feature on it. All you need to do when you do have internet is update the maps and it'll work. Unless Apple somehow made it to where you HAD to have internet for it to work.

[Mattme11]

You don't need internet access for GPS to work. My Android phone has been out of service for about 3 months now and I still use the GPS feature on it. All you need to do when you do have internet is update the maps and it'll work. Unless Apple somehow made it to where you HAD to have internet for it to work.

wow i didnt know the new ipod touch is a Android phone! i must get one.

[trh2086]

wow i didnt know the new ipod touch is a Android phone! i must get one.

I was only mentioning my Android phone to show that constant internet access isn't required for GPS to work. I was by no means comparing the actual devices. Apple could put a GPS in the ipod touch and it would be useful.

[PokemonDesigner]

So no 16 GB either? What happened with that?

[spoon]

I was only mentioning my Android phone to show that constant internet access isn't required for GPS to work. I was by no means comparing the actual devices. Apple could put a GPS in the ipod touch and it would be useful.

I agree. There are many GPS applications on the App Store that can function without the need for an active internet connection, such as Navigon and TomTom to name a few.

[kooris]

I'm kind of sad at the new iPod Touch. I knew Apple makes the iPhone superior to the iPod Touch but seriously? They should have given the iPod the same amount of ram and the same processor as the iPhone 5.

Never have.

[jmac91505]

Damn I want one

[morbidpete]

GPS in these devices would be a terrible and useless idea. You wouldn't have Internet access to render the maps when your on the road. GPS is only granted to devices that can connect to the Internet on the go. That's why they didn't put GPS in the iPad wifi versions.

TomTom or any other offline GPS software. Tool!

-Pete

[mrsancheezz]

How accessible is the front screen? How easy is it to fix/repair ?
Most important question to me.

[spazturtle]

Never have.

Well some of the iPod Touches had better CPUs then the iPhone, as they under clocked te iPhone to save battery.

[Anthony Bouchard]

So no 16 GB either? What happened with that?

Apple hasn't provided a 16GB iPod touch in what seems like eons. The iPhone has been offered in 16GB models, though.

In my opinion, 8GB seems to have been removed due to the growing number of memory-hungry applications in the App Store. It just isn't suitable anymore. I remember when I bought an 8GB model a couple of years ago and within 30 days I had it full to the brim and wanted to add more music. I ended up returning it and upgrading the the 32GB model.

I would love to see a 16GB iPod touch again.

[kooris]

Well some of the iPod Touches had better CPUs then the iPhone, as they under clocked te iPhone to save battery.

Same cpu, different clocking.

Apple hasn't provided a 16GB iPod touch in what seems like eons. The iPhone has been offered in 16GB models, though.

In my opinion, 8GB seems to have been removed due to the growing number of memory-hungry applications in the App Store. It just isn't suitable anymore. I remember when I bought an 8GB model a couple of years ago and within 30 days I had it full to the brim and wanted to add more music. I ended up returning it and upgrading the the 32GB model.

I would love to see a 16GB iPod touch again.

Exactly - 16GB never was offered, and 8GB is nowhere near enough. In reality its only about 6 gigs - you cant even do ota if you have a half decent music library.

[King_O_Hill]

any chance of GPS in this model ?
looking to make this in to my GPS for my car along with MP3

Just buy an iph4 from eBay with a bad ESN. it will operate the same as an iPod touch and you can get one that is on 5.1.1 that's jailbreakable.

[Anthony Bouchard]

Exactly - 16GB never was offered, and 8GB is nowhere near enough. In reality its only about 6 gigs - you cant even do ota if you have a half decent music library.

I didn't say, "never." I believe iPod touch 1G and some variances of iPod touch 2G were offered in 16GB models. It appears to have stopped after that for some reason.

Here is a refurbished iPod touch 2G (16GB) from Apple for sale right now. (link)

EDIT: It looks like Apple is now selling the iPod touch 4G in a 16GB model for $199.

[King_O_Hill]

GPS in these devices would be a terrible and useless idea. You wouldn't have Internet access to render the maps when your on the road. GPS is only granted to devices that can connect to the Internet on the go. That's why they didn't put GPS in the iPad wifi versions.

Yeah, tool!!!