Difference Between iPod Touch and iPhone 4: What Apple Did Not Tell You

What is the biggest difference between iPod touch and iPhone? In 2010 most people thought the iPhone 4 was simply an iPod touch with a phone and a few technical changes. When I bought the then-new iPod touch 4, I found a difference Apple never shouted about. This article covers that story, the real spec differences, and what to buy now that the iPod touch is gone.

Quick answer: The iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4 looked alike, but the iPhone had a better IPS screen, a 5 MP camera with flash, GPS and a phone. In my use, the iPod touch screen also smudged far more easily. Apple discontinued the iPod touch in May 2022, so today an iPhone used on Wi-Fi is the closest replacement.

The smudge problem I noticed in 2010

Within 15 minutes of using my new iPod touch, the screen was covered in fingerprints and oily smudges. Wiping it with a clean soft cloth wasn’t enough; it just spread the smudges around. No wonder so many iPod touch owners went looking for screen protectors.

The iPhone 4, on the other hand, was sold with an oleophobic (oil-repelling) coating on its glass, so fingerprints showed much less and wiped off easily. A clear screen gives the best display, and I was disappointed the iPod touch didn’t feel the same. Tech host Chris Pirillo’s side-by-side demo shows the difference in screen quality well:

Difference between iPod touch and iPhone 4: the specs

• Display: both had a 960×640 Retina screen, but the iPhone 4 used an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, while the iPod touch 4 used a TN panel.
• Camera: the iPhone 4 had a 5 MP rear camera with an LED flash. The iPod touch 4 had a much lower-resolution rear camera with no flash.
• Phone and data: only the iPhone could make calls and use mobile data. The iPod touch needed Wi-Fi.
• GPS: the iPhone had GPS; no iPod touch model ever did.
• Design: the iPhone 4 had a glass back and steel band, while the iPod touch was thinner and lighter with a metal back.

What happened to the iPod touch

Apple kept updating the iPod touch until the 7th generation in 2019, then discontinued it on 10 May 2022, which ended the iPod line. We have also covered other iPod history, such as the iPod nano replacement program.

So the difference between iPod touch and iPhone was never just the phone. Screen quality, camera and GPS all set the iPhone apart.

What to buy instead of an iPod touch today

• An iPhone on Wi-Fi: any recent iPhone without a SIM works much like an iPod touch for apps, music and games.
• A refurbished iPhone: a cheaper way to give a child or teen an “iPod touch” style device. Make sure it still gets iOS updates.
• An iPad mini: if you want a small Apple device mainly for apps, reading and video.

How to keep any phone screen smudge-free

• Wipe with a soft, lint-free microfiber screen cleaning cloth, slightly dampened if needed.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners, which can wear away the oleophobic coating over time.
• A good screen protector also adds its own smudge-resistant coating.

A clean lens matters too; see our tips to take better pictures with your phone.

FAQ

Is an iPod touch just an iPhone without a phone?

Mostly, but not exactly. The difference between iPod touch and iPhone 4 went further: the iPhone 4 also had a better IPS screen, a 5 MP camera with flash and GPS, which the iPod touch 4 lacked.

Can you still buy a new iPod touch?

No. Apple discontinued the iPod touch on 10 May 2022. Only used units are sold now.

What is an oleophobic coating?

It is an oil-repelling layer on the screen glass that makes fingerprints show less and wipe off more easily. It slowly wears off with use.

What is the best replacement for an iPod touch?

An iPhone used on Wi-Fi, often a refurbished model, is the closest replacement because it runs the same apps.

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