What are all the differences between the iPod touch 2nd Gen and the iPhone 3G?

Please note that all of the devices mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with current iOS support details and it can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

In basic terms, the iPod touch 2nd Gen effectively can be thought of an iPhone 3G with much of the same iPod and handheld computing functionality but without the "phone", mobile phone networking (3G/EDGE), GPS-A support, and integrated camera.

External Differences

On first glance, the iPod touch 2nd Gen even looks about the same as the iPhone 3G.

Left - iPod touch 2nd Gen, Right - iPhone 3G - Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

However, turn the iPod touch 2nd Gen and iPhone 3G around and the external material differences become obvious. The iPod touch 2nd Gen has a chromed steel rear case with an oval shaped plastic "window" for the wi-fi antenna (802.11b/g) and the iPhone 3G models use either black or white plastic for the rear case which allows Wi-Fi and 3G/EDGE signals to penetrate the housing.

Left - iPod touch 2nd Gen, Center & Right - iPhone 3G - Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

Both the iPod touch 2nd Gen and iPhone 3G have external volume buttons on the left hand side of the device. The iPhone 3G has an integrated speaker and microphone whereas the the iPod touch 2nd Gen has an integrated speaker and supports an external microphone via the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic (and some third-party products as well).

Although the size differences are rather inconsequential, the iPod touch 2nd Gen is slightly shorter (0.2 inches), thinner (0.15 inches), and lighter (0.65 ounces) than the iPhone 3G.

Identification Differences

As the designs are quite different, there is little reason to mistake the iPod touch 2nd Gen and the iPhone 3G for one another. However, it is easy to mistake either for another iPod touch or iPhone, and consequently, it is helpful to know the Model Number listed in small type on the back of each device for identification purposes.

The iPod touch 2nd Gen -- as well as the 8 GB iPod touch released alongside the "3rd Gen" models in 2009, which is mostly the same -- is model number A1288, the iPhone 3G is model number A1241, and the China-only iPhone 3G that does not have Wi-Fi is model number A1324.

Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can identify these devices by EMC Number, Order Number (launch the Settings app and then select General > About and finally scroll to what is referred to as "Model" in the iOS), and their Serial Numbers, as well.

Feature & Storage Differences

Both the iPod touch 2nd Gen and iPhone 3G have a "multi-touch" sensitive 3.5" display with 320x480 resolution, an accelerometer that allows the device to "know" whether it is being held in portrait or landscape mode and switch automatically, and an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness. The iPhone 3G has two "proximity sensors" as well that automatically turns the display off when it is held to the face for a phone call.

The iPod touch 2nd Gen provides either 8, 16, or 32 GB of storage whereas the iPhone 3G is available with 8 GB or 16 GB. Interestingly, Apple claims 24 hours of music playback and 7 hours of video for the iPhone 3G and 36 hours of music playback but only 6 hours of video playback for the iPod touch 2nd Gen.

The iPod touch 2nd Gen was introduced with new "shake to shuffle" support -- where shaking the device gently will select another song at random -- a new "Genius" feature that dynamically creates playlists based on "songs that go great together", and integrated support for Nike + iPod. The iPhone 3G was updated in software to support the "Genius" feature, but it does not support "shake to shuffle" or have integrated Nike + iPod support.

Software & iOS Support Differences

Thankfully, Apple discontinued the frustrating practice of attempting to differentiate the iPod touch from the iPhone with software, and as a result, the iPod touch 2nd Gen models shipped with support for all applications that run on the iPhone 3G -- with the exception of those dependent on hardware the iPod touch 2nd Gen doesn't provide (the "phone", 3G/EDGE, GPS module, or camera). Additionally, Apple's "App Store" via iTunes provides easy access to thousands of useful (and useless) applications that are compatible with both devices.

Both devices are capable of running iPhone OS 3.0, which added cut, copy, and paste, as well as "more than 100" other features, and both partially support iOS 4. Versions of the operating system after iOS 4.2, however, are not supported by either.

Comparison Chart

For your convenience, the primary differences between the iPod touch 2nd Gen and the iPhone 3G are summarized below:

	iPod touch 2nd Gen	iPhone 3G
Primary Functionality:	Music Playback Video Playback Slideshows Wi-Fi	Music Playback Video Playback Slideshows Wi-Fi & 3G/EDGE GPS Phone Camera
Data Networks:	Wi-Fi	EDGE (2nd Gen), 3G & Wi-Fi
Storage Size:	8, 16, 32 GB	8, 16 GB
Talk Time (3G):	N/A	5 Hours
Talk Time (2nd Gen):	N/A	10 Hours
Battery Life (Music):	36 Hours	24 Hours
Battery Life (Video):	6 Hours	7 Hours
A-GPS:	No	Yes
External Speaker:	Yes	Yes
Microphone:	Yes*	Yes
Shake to Shuffle:	Yes	No
Genius Support:	Yes	Yes
Nike + iPod Support:	Yes	No
Back Exterior Finish:	Chrome	Black or White Plastic
Max iOS Support:	4.2	4.2
Dimensions (Inches):	4.3 x 2.4 x 0.33	4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48
Weight (Ounces):	4.05 oz. (115 g)	4.7 oz. (133 g)
Model No:	A1288	A1241/A1324
Intro. Price:	US$229, US$299, US$399§	US$199, US$299†

* The iPod touch 2nd Gen does not have an internal microphone, but it supports the external Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic and some third-party products.

§ The 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB iPod touch 2nd Gen models originally sold in the US for US$229, US$299, and US$399, respectively.

† These prices required a two-year contract with AT&T in the US.

To dynamically compare any iPod touch or iPhone to all other iPod, iPhone, and iPad models, see Everyi.com's Ultimate iComparison feature.