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Teardown of New 16 GB iPod Touch Reveals Same Internals and Layout as Larger Capacity Models
The teardown experts at iFixit have promptly torn down Apple's refreshed 16 GB iPod touch, a day after the device was announced and went on sale. The $199 iPod touch is Apple's new entry-level touch model, adopting the camera and color options of the existing fifth-generation models.
The teardown analysis of the 2014 16 GB model found no significant changes from Apple's current 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch models, which were released in 2012. This "refreshed" device includes the same components as the existing 32 GB iPod touch variant, but with half the storage.
Besides hardware components, the 16 GB iPod touch also shares the same poor repairability of its higher capacity counterparts. As noted in iFixit's original teardown of the fifth-generation iPod touch, the device received a 3 out of 10 repairability score because of its non-removable battery and linked components that must be replaced in groups.
Apple's fifth-generation iPod touch is recognized for its ultrathin form factor and its bright color options, but the hardware is more than a generation behind, with an A5 processor and 5-megapixel iSight camera that put the device's internals on par with the iPhone 4s.
Even with the relatively dated hardware, however, it is unclear when we should expect a more substantial upgrade for the line. Apple traditionally uses its September event to unveil new iPod hardware, but with iPod sales in decline and this recent refresh and price drop to rekindle interest in the device, it is unlikely that Apple will make further changes to its iPod touch lineup in the immediate future.
The teardown analysis of the 2014 16 GB model found no significant changes from Apple's current 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch models, which were released in 2012. This "refreshed" device includes the same components as the existing 32 GB iPod touch variant, but with half the storage.
At least, that’s the way this camera-laden, 16 GB iPod Touch came to be. We delved inside Apple’s “refreshed” device and found the same components we’d seen in Touches of yesteryear, but with 16 GB of on-board flash memory. So it’s not really that this 16 GB variant gains a camera — instead, it loses half of its 32 GB of storage.Apple has on occasion taken the opportunity of minor product updates to test out new components, but there is little evidence of that occurring with the new iPod touch. Several of the chips have slightly different part numbers than seen on the original fifth-generation iPod touch teardown, but it is not uncommon for such components to be tweaked at times over a product's lifetime. Overall, the layout of the logic board components on the new iPod touch appears identical to that of the original fifth-generation model, providing no evidence of any significant internal changes.
Besides hardware components, the 16 GB iPod touch also shares the same poor repairability of its higher capacity counterparts. As noted in iFixit's original teardown of the fifth-generation iPod touch, the device received a 3 out of 10 repairability score because of its non-removable battery and linked components that must be replaced in groups.
Apple's fifth-generation iPod touch is recognized for its ultrathin form factor and its bright color options, but the hardware is more than a generation behind, with an A5 processor and 5-megapixel iSight camera that put the device's internals on par with the iPhone 4s.
Even with the relatively dated hardware, however, it is unclear when we should expect a more substantial upgrade for the line. Apple traditionally uses its September event to unveil new iPod hardware, but with iPod sales in decline and this recent refresh and price drop to rekindle interest in the device, it is unlikely that Apple will make further changes to its iPod touch lineup in the immediate future.
Related Roundup: iPod touch
Buyer's Guide: iPod Touch (Caution)
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Top Rated Comments
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56 months ago
Wow. The amazing new MacBook Air with a slight processor increase and $100 price drop, the revolutionary breathtaking slower iMac, and the groundbreaking new iPod touch. So far 2014 has been an extraordinary year for Apple. As Tim Cook said "Only Apple could make such amazing hardware and software"
"This is truly the best pipeline I've ever seen in 25 years" -Eddy Cue
In all honestly, it's kinda pathetic to see how cheap Tim Cook is. The 5th gen 16GB iPod touch with out a camera was around for a little over a year. Just because Tim Cook is a cheap greedy cow. The new iMac reinforces that! And the new iPod touch pretty much shows that as well.
Only Apple......
"This is truly the best pipeline I've ever seen in 25 years" -Eddy Cue
In all honestly, it's kinda pathetic to see how cheap Tim Cook is. The 5th gen 16GB iPod touch with out a camera was around for a little over a year. Just because Tim Cook is a cheap greedy cow. The new iMac reinforces that! And the new iPod touch pretty much shows that as well.
Only Apple......
56 months ago
We've got a new model, which is the old model with less capacity, no smoke and mirrors.
"I think we need to take it apart and make sure they didn't change anything else"
That seems like effort well spent.
"I think we need to take it apart and make sure they didn't change anything else"
That seems like effort well spent.
56 months ago
I'm half-surprised iFixit didn't find a soldered screen and battery glued with industrial adhesive.
56 months ago
We've got a new model, which is the old model with less capacity, no smoke and mirrors.
"I think we need to take it apart and make sure they didn't change anything else"
That seems like effort well spent.
it's a lazy move from apple. they could of dropped prices even more.
56 months ago
It will be 3 years old in 2 months.
The 5th gen iPod Touch was released October 11, 2012.
56 months ago
Right price two years later
This should have been the original lineup/ price in 2012, and retire the fourth gen right away
This should have been the original lineup/ price in 2012, and retire the fourth gen right away
56 months ago
So just to be clear, they announced a 2 year old product. Got it.
No, they announced massive drop in price on 1 and 1/2 year old product..
64GB model dropped 25% ($100) from $399 to $299 - I'd say that worth an announcement..
56 months ago
The 5th gen iPod Touch was released October 11, 2012.
hardware is more than a generation behind, with an A5 processor and 5-megapixel iSight camera that put the device's internals on par with the iPhone 4s.
iPhone 4S was released in October of 2011. So harware of new iPod released couple of days ago is almost 3 years old hardware.
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