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Earlier this week, the iPod touch received a modest upgrade, arriving with fanfare via an Apple press release. The new 7th generation iPod touch offers only a few new features, but it gets a processor specification that propels it from an Apple A8 of the iPhone 6 era to an A10 Fusion chip. iPhone 7, not to mention the double the RAM of the previous generation.
The new hardware upgrades allow iPod touch users to enjoy first-time augmented reality (AR) applications and Group FaceTime functionality. There is also a new level of 256GB flash storage, another first for the iPod range. This means that in 2019, there is finally an iPod that surpasses the iPod Classic of 160 GB in terms of storage space.
Although the iPod touch is not the element of the mass market of the previous members of the product line, Apple believes that there is still a viable audience for such a device. Not only is it ideal for locally storing large music libraries, but with the upcoming launch of the new Apple Arcade subscription gaming service, Apple continues to position the iPod touch as a portable gaming option.
That said, should you consider buying this new iPod touch? Watch our convenient video review for more details.
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Unpacking
It's been a few years since I've been familiar with an iPod touch and I was eager to unpack the new model of the 7th generation. Like previous versions of iPod touch, this latest version comes in a clear plastic container with a Springboard sticker covering the screen, which has been modernized to represent iOS 12.
Inside the container, you'll find iPod touch, Apple documentation and stickers, wired headphones with 3.5mm jack and Lightning to USB cable. As with previous versions, you will need to provide your own power block to charge the device.
IPod touch video review (2019)
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Initial impressions
If you're using modern X-era iPhones, the iPod touch will look a little old, both in appearance and functionality. Visually, it looks exactly like the 6th generation model.
For starters, the iPod touch is tiny and sports a 4-inch screen resembling an iPhone SE. If you've been using an iPhone for two years, the iPod touch screen will look tiny. It also lacks the contrast ratio and wide support for the colors present on the modern iPhone hardware.
However, the small screen is not necessarily a bad thing, as it makes the device more portable and easier to handle. This is a particularly interesting feature for young children with small hands. Do not forget that the display of content on the iPod touch is not as immersive as on the current 5.8 to 6.5 inch iPhone.
Home button of the 7th generation of iPod touch
Like all previous iPod touch, the seventh generation model comes with a physical and tactile home button. Having used exclusively an iPhone XS, as well as the latest iPad Pro in recent months, having a physical home button gives the impression of going back in time.
It would not be so bad if the iPod touch had a built-in Touch ID support, but the device lacks biometric authentication, which requires you to use authentication codes for security. Of all the things that the iPod touch omits, it's Touch ID that I miss the most. I understand that I do not have a facial identity, but Touch ID would have made the experience a lot more enjoyable.
iPod touch 7th generation
But at least, the speed is good thanks to the chip A10 Fusion of the iPod touch, a marked upgrade compared to the old processor A8 released in 2015. While the A8 feels downright pedestrian nowadays, the A10, although a few years old herself, still has a little pep on her feet.
The benchmark scores are not worthy of mention, but the hardware is reasonably fast and provides enough power for most modern games and applications.
The scores of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus A10 Fusion Geekbench
Compared to the iPhone 7, Apple seems to have limited the performance of the A10 Fusion in the iPod touch, which should help reduce the life of the battery. This makes the performance differences between the iPod touch and iPhone SE powered by A9 a little closer than originally expected.
iPhone SE A9 (left) vs iPod touch A10 Fusion
The new iPod touch also has 2GB of RAM for the very first time in the history of the product line. In addition to the updated processor, doubling the amount of memory used by Apple, which goes from 1GB to 2GB, is the most compelling new feature of the device. The Achilles heel of iPod touch has always been lacking, and the 2019 model addresses this problem.
7th generation iPod touch camera
In an effort to reduce costs, Apple has resisted the temptation to equip the new iPod touch with new cameras. This means that his imaging equipment is identical to that of his predecessor.
Captured image with iPod touch
Neither the FaceTime HD 1.2MP camera nor the f / 2.4 8MP rear camera will impress at this point, but that's enough for a FaceTime group, AR support, and image capture. basic videos.
In the current state of things, the iPod touch 7 is lagging behind devices like the SE iPhone in terms of rear camera quality. The camera's iPhone SE is not only denser in pixels, but it has a faster aperture and offers the ability to shoot 4K videos.
FaceTime and AR groups support for 7th generation iPod touch
While the 6th generation iPod touch does not support Group FaceTime and AR applications, the new iPod touch 2019 supports both of these features. In fact, these are two of the key marketing points that Apple uses on its revised iPod touch product page.
Group FaceTime is a feature launched during the mandate of iOS 12, allowing more than 30 participants to join a FaceTime call simultaneously. The older iPod touch supported Group FaceTime audio, but iPod touch users can now enjoy the video side of Group FaceTime conversations.
Augmented Reality, launched the previous year, provides computer-generated perception information in a real-world environment. There is already a wide variety of applications supported by AR on the App Store, many of which have a pedagogical aspect, but the 4-inch screen is so small that I find the AR less attractive than the iPod touch. devices.
An ideal companion for Apple Arcade?
IPod touch has long been considered a portable gaming device, but it's only now, with the upcoming launch of the Apple Arcade subscription service, that I feel Apple is taking the game on iOS very seriously .
Apple Arcade, which is expected to land later this fall, will include more than 100 new games and allow users to play offline or online and navigate between iOS devices, the Mac and the Apple TV.
With the offline appearance of the service, the iPod touch seems to be a good companion Apple Arcade for handhelds. Users could have access at any time to a broadband of the Apple Arcade library via the iPod touch. If Apple Arcade realizes its full potential, it could help propel the material to an even larger audience.
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IPod touch is not close to iPhone numbers or iPad, but it must sell enough to justify the refreshment of Apple. From what I understand, much of this demand comes from the retail sector and the warehouses (for the needs of POS and inventory).
The iPhone XS Max absolutely outperforms the iPod touch
The iPod touch, the cheapest and most sold iOS device by Apple, will undoubtedly also appeal to parents of young children. Its versatility and performance as a low-cost gaming and education platform should not be overlooked.
That said, I think those looking for a small, versatile iOS device should seriously consider a refurbished iPhone SE on their iPod touch 7. Not only does the OS work as a phone with cellular connectivity, but it has a much better camera , and supports Touch ID. In terms of performance, the iPod touch with its Apple A10 Fusion chip is obviously more powerful than the A9 chip of the iPhone SE, but Apple seems to have retained the sound processor iPod touch, perhaps making sure to preserve the battery life.
Would you consider buying an iPod touch in 2019? If so, for what purpose? Ring below in the comments with your thoughts.
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