The iPhone and iPod Touch are closely related—and not because these devices look alike. Both have the same operating system and the same key features: FaceTime video conferencing, support for Siri, iCloud, and iMessage, for example.

Even though these devices share the same OS and software features, there are differences between the iPod Touch and the iPhone.

We compare the iPhone 11, iPhone X, iPhone 8, and the seventh-generation iPod Touch. We omitted the iPhone XR budget-minded model.

Screen Size

The main difference is the size of the screens. The iPod Touch uses the same 4-inch screen that’s been used since the iPhone 5. Other models are pushing things forward in terms of size, resolution (retina display), and color gamut, leading to bigger, brighter, and more beautiful images.​

  • 6th Gen. iPod Touch: 4 inches, 1136 by 640 pixels resolutioniPhone 8: 4.7 inches, 1334 by 750 pixelsiPhone 8 Plus: 5.5 inches, 1920 by 1080 pixelsiPhone X: 5.8 inches, 2436 by 1125 pixelsiPhone XS: 5.8 inches, 2436 by 1125 pixelsiPhone XS Max: 6.5 inches, 2688 by 1242 pixelsiPhone 11: 6.1 inches, 1792 by 828 pixelsiPhone 11 Pro: 5.85 in, 2436 by 1125 pixelsiPhone 11 Pro Max: 6.46 inches, 2688 by 1242 pixels

Camera Resolution and Features

The camera is an important aspect of any mobile device these days. The iPhone camera offers hands-down the best option.

Back Camera (Still Photos)

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: 8 megapixels, panoramic (43 megapixels), burst modeiPhone 8: 12 megapixels, panoramic (63 megapixels), burst mode, Live Photos, image stabilizationiPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 12 megapixels, telephoto and wide-angle lenses, panoramic (63 megapixels), burst mode, Portrait Mode and Lighting, Live Photos, image stabilization

Back Camera (Video)

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: 1080p HD at 30 frames per second, 120 frames per second slow motion, 3X zoomiPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 4K HD at 24, 30, and 60 frames per second, 120 or 240 frames per second slow motion at 1080p HD, 6X zoom, image stabilization, take photos while recording video

Front Camera

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: 1.2 megapixels, 720p HD video, burst mode iPhone 8 and 8 Plus: 7 megapixels, 1080p HD video, flash, Live Photos, burst mode iPhone X and XS: 7 megapixels, 1080p HD video, Portrait Mode and Lighting, flash, Live Photos, burst modeiPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 12 megapixels, 4K video recording, Portrait Mode and Lighting, flash, Live Photos, burst mode

Storage Capacity

If you have a ton of music, lots of apps, or like to shoot hi-res photos and video, having as much storage as you can get is essential. The iPod Touch tops out at 256 GB of storage (32 and 128 GB capacities are also available). Newer iPhone models offer considerably more.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GBiPhone 8: 64 GB, 256 GBiPhone 8 Plus: 64 GB, 256 GBiPhone X:​ 64 GB, 256 GBiPhone XS: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GBiPhone 11: 4 GB, 128 GB, 256 GBiPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB

Processor

Processing horsepower doesn’t matter in the same way on mobile devices as it does on desktop and laptop computers. Still, having newer, more powerful chips is always better. The iPod Touch uses the 64-bit A10 chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 7 and 2018 iPad. The iPhone, on the other hand, uses the latest chip.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: Apple A10, 64-bitiPhone 8: Apple A11 Bionic, 64-bitiPhone 8 Plus: Apple A11 Bionic, 64-bit iPhone X: Apple A11 Bionic, 64-bit iPhone XS: Apple A12 Bionic, 64-bitiPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: Apple A13 Bionic, 64-bit

4G LTE vs. Wi-Fi

The iPod Touch can only access the internet when there’s an available Wi-Fi network. The iPhone connects to Wi-Fi, and it can get online anywhere there’s phone service with its cellular data connection. 

Although cellular data plans offer the iPhone more features and flexibility, it also costs more. iPhone users pay monthly subscription fees to network carriers. iPod Touch users don’t pay any service fees.

Face ID and Touch ID

You can, and should, secure all of these devices using a passcode. Only the iPhone offers added layers of security, though. The iPhone 8 series sports the Touch ID fingerprint scanner built into the Home button. The iPhone X debuted the advanced facial recognition system called Face ID.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: not availableiPhone 8: Touch IDiPhone 8 Plus: Touch IDiPhone X, XS: Face IDiPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: Face ID

Apple Pay

Apple Pay lets you buy things wirelessly, without taking your credit or debit card out of your pocket. But only if you have an iPhone. The iPod Touch doesn’t include the Near-Field Communication chip, or the Touch ID or Face ID features, required to use Apple Pay. This tool is an iPhone-only option.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: NoiPhone 8: YesiPhone 8 Plus: Yes iPhone X, XS: YesiPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: Yes

Water- and Dust-Proofing

Mobile devices are bound to encounter some mishaps from time to time, especially after being dropped or getting wet. The iPod Touch doesn’t have much protection against the environment, other than whatever protection an add-on case might offer. The iPhone, on the other hand, is water and dust-resistant to the international standards (IP Code). So, the chances of those damaging elements getting inside your phone—even if you drop it in the water—are low.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: NoiPhone 8: Rated IP67iPhone 8 Plus: Rated IP67iPhone X: Rated IP67iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: Rated IP68

IP68 means the device can survive immersion in up to 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Battery Life

All iPhone models have larger batteries than the iPod touch and deliver longer life. If you’re on the go and have to wait a long time between recharges, having a bigger battery is a big deal.

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: 1043 mAh, 40 hours of music, 8 hours of videoiPhone 8: 1,821 mAh, 40 hours of music, 13 hours of videoiPhone 8 Plus: 2,675 mAh, 60 hours of music, 14 hours of video iPhone X: 2,716 mAh, 60 hours of music, 13 hours of videoiPhone XS: 2,658 mAh, 60 hours (65 hours for the XS Max) of music, 14 hours (15 hours for the XS Max) of videoiPhone 11: 3110 mAh, 65 hours of music, 17 hours of videoiPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 3046 mAh/3969 mAh, 65 hours of music, 18 hours of video

Cost

The iPod Touch costs less than any current iPhone model. An iPhone X costs $999 and up. The cheapest iPhone 8 costs $400 more than the most expensive iPod touch. The latest model (iPhone 11) starts at $699. And that’s before you factor in the monthly costs for phone and data service on an iPhone, which the iPod Touch doesn’t require. You get a lot with an iPhone, but compared to an iPod touch, you pay a lot, too.

Upfront Cost

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: US$199-$399iPhone 8: $699-$849iPhone 8 Plus: $799-$949iPhone X: $999-$1,149iPhone XS: $999-$1,449iPhone 11: $699iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: $1,099-$1,449

Monthly Cost

  • 7th Gen. iPod Touch: No
  • iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, 11, 11 Pro/Pro Max: Yes; monthly plan details

With the iPhone XS, Apple introduced a trade-in program unrelated to the carrier’s pricing and trade-in program. If you have a working Apple device in good condition, you can trade it in for a discount off a new iPhone. For example, a good-condition iPhone X will get you a credit of $500 off a 256 GB iPhone XS Max, which otherwise retails for $1,249 from Apple.

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