iPod touch vs iPhone - 9 differences

I started off as an iPod touch user, and when the iPhone was finally released in Japan, I made the switch. And after having some time playing with an iPhone 3GS, I present you an updated post comparing the iPod touch 2g with the iPhone 3GS.

I hope this blog post will provide some helpful insight if you're deciding between the iPhone and iPod touch. Let's get started!

1. Internet everywhere or not?

When I switched from an iPod touch to an iPhone, the biggest difference was having Internet access everywhere. I can't ever go back to the touch unless I can get wifi everywhere. Having Internet access everywhere means having the freedom to look up maps and search for prices on Amazon when I'm outside at a store. Convenient.

Of course, if you don't use public transit and have access to wifi everywhere, or at least, in areas where you're at the most, this wouldn't be a critical factor and difference.

2. Phone and Contacts

Having all your contacts on your iPod is kind of cool, and useful. It would be awesome if we were still in the age of Palm Pilots. Being able to look up a contact, and immediately call them, that's even cooler - only possible with the iPhone.

It's definitely possible to try to use the Skype app to make the touch into a phone since Skype is integrated with your contacts on the iPhone. The only problem is the iPod touch doesn't have a built-in mic, which means you're stuck with using add-ons or the mic headsets. I'd imagine it would be find if you're trying to make a call, but imagine getting a call. If you're using mic headsets, you have to scramble to get the headset on to take the call. And, unfortunately, doesn't seem like the new touches support BlueTooth headsets. I'm guessing that is Apple's way of differentiating the touch and the iPhone - the touch just is not meant for a phone.

If BlueTooth headsets work as mics, then the touch could really be usable as a phone with Skype.

If you manage your contacts, this may be a critical feature to lean toward the iPhone. I used to manage my contacts, and I had to sync them to my Nokia cellphone. And it wasn't a pleasant experience. The groups didn't sync, and it just wasn't a seamless experience. With the iPhone it's seamless. Groups are retained. And if you pair the iPhone with MobileMe service, contacts are always updated. If someone calls me, I can add them into the contacts. And when I go home, it's there in my computer. Beautiful.

3. Having 1 device or 2 devices (iPod touch + phone)

Having to carry one less device has been wonderful. Now if they can only get the iPhone to work as a TV remote, wallet, a key, and a train pass, then there's only one thing I need to bring. Anyways, not to stray from the topic, the iPhone means you carry one less device.

4. GPS and compass

If you live in a city where you're on foot and rely and public transportation a lot, navigation within the city becomes critical. Personally, I've been using this in Tokyo, and boy has this made my life easier when going to new areas in the city. And with the new compass built in, you'll be able to instantly find your direction, and get on your way right away.

5. A word about icons for your music and videos

This was actually one thing that I found some time getting to use to when I switched from a touch to the iPhone. If an icon on the touch / iPhone is an app, on the touch you have two apps - one for video and one for music. I really liked this.

However, on the iPhone, you get the iPod app. So if I wanted to watch a video, I have to go to the iPod app, and then select the video tab. One extra step.

Music and Videos icons for iPod touch

iPod icon instead for the iPhone

7. Camera

In Japan, where phones have 8 mega-pixel camera, the iPhone camera stinks pretty bad. The 3GS has an improved camera, and thankfully, a macro mode so that you can actually take snapshots of memos and magazine articles.

Even tough the camera isn't all that good, I still love it. It's a major reason that I would pick the touch over the iPhone. The ability to take casual pictures and videos on-the-go without having to carry another device, that's great. And now the iPhone 3GS has a better camera, it's great for business use as well. Imagine you have a meeting and there are notes and diagrams on the white board, just bust our your phone. If your colleagues need it, email them right away from the phone. Just like that, boom!

Hopefully rumors are true that the touch will soon come with a camera. For now, it doesn't have one, and if taking photos isn't your thing, it's one less reason for the iPhone.

8. The position of the earphone jack

I don't read this very often on other reviews, but I did notice this when I made the switch from the touch to the iPhone. On the iPod touch, the earphone jack is on the bottom. For the iPhone, it's on the top.

What does this mean? The touch is optimized for pant pockets, and iPhone is optimized for shirt pockets. Look at the photos below and try to imagine.

With the iPhone, when you hold the phone upright, you can't slide that into your pant pockets without changing the orientation of the phone. However, if you drop it into your shirt pocket, it will work very well. It the opposite for the touch.

iPhone in the shirt pocket

iPod touch in pant pocket. With the jack on the bottom, it's a natural movement for your hand to put the touch in the pant pocket.

Though it's a minor thing, but if you never wear shirts with pockets, every time you want to put your iPhone in your pant pockets when listening to music with wired headset or earphones, one extra movement will be needed. Might be something to think about.

9. Size and Thinness

The iPod touch is slim and also has a smaller footprint. Personally, I think the touch is slicker in form factor. When you hold it a touch in your hands, the iPhone feels bulky.

iPod touch 2g (left) vs. iPhone 3GS (right) in thinness

and the size. touch on the left, and iPhone on the right.

So, the iPhone or the touch?

For me, it's definitely the iPhone. If all you need is playing music, video, and games, the iPod touch is perfect. And you get a bunch of additional features. Unfortunately, most of them will be relying on an Internet connection - i.e., email, browser, YouTube, Weather. But if you value those additional features and want to truly take advantage of them, the iPhone is a good candidate. And if you want it to do more phone stuff, PDA stuff, and business stuff, then you might also want to consider the iPhone.

If you answer mostly yes to the following questions, the iPhone might just be a good choice.

1. Do you need to have Internet access everywhere assuming you don't have access to wifi hotspots most of the time?
2. Do you manage contacts on your phone and computer?
3. Is having less devices to carry with you a big deal for you?
4. Do you live in a big city where maps and navigation? (especially on foot)
5. Do you take (or plan to take) a lot of videos and photos on-the-go?

Good luck, and thanks for reading!