What are the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the iPod touch 3G (Late 2009)?

With even a cursory review of a comparison between the iPod touch 3G (Late 2009) and the iPod touch 2G it is clear that the 3G models are quite similar to the replaced 2G models. In fact, the 8 GB configuration of the iPod touch 3G series effectively is identical to the 8 GB configuration of the iPod touch 2G series. Consequently, most of the iPhone 3GS to iPod touch 2G comparison is applicable when comparing the iPhone 3GS to the iPod touch 3G as well.

Although Apple made the decision to focus more on the gaming capabilities of the iPod touch 3G rather than use the "iPhone without the phone" pitch for previous iPod touch models, the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations of the iPod touch 3G, on basic terms, do provide much of the same iPod and handheld computing functionality of the iPhone 3GS but without the "phone", mobile phone networking (3G/EDGE), GPS-A support, integrated still/video camera, and digital compass functionality.

On first glance, the iPod touch 3G -- which essentially uses the same case as the iPod touch 2G it replaced -- looks about the same as the iPhone 3GS.

Left - iPod touch 3G, Right - iPhone 3GS - Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

However, turn the iPod touch 3G and iPhone 3GS around and the external material differences become obvious. The iPod touch 3G has a chromed steel rear case with an oval shaped plastic "window" for the wi-fi antenna (officially 802.11b/g, but teardowns also have discovered that the Broadcom BCM4329 chip that provides 802.11b/g in the 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch 3G configurations is capable of 802.11n as well, but this is not an advertised capability, nor is it currently supported in software).

The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models, on the other hand, use either black or white plastic for the rear case which allows data and voice signals to penetrate the housing. The wi-fi chip in the iPhone 3GS does not support 802.11n.

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

Although the size differences are rather inconsequential, the iPod touch 3G is slightly shorter (0.2 inches), thinner (0.15 inches), and lighter (0.75 ounces) than the iPhone 3GS.

Both the iPod touch 3G and iPhone 3GS have "multi-touch" sensitive 3.5" displays 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.

Internally, the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations of the iPod touch 3G and the iPhone 3GS have quite a bit in common. Both are believed to be powered by a Samsung ARM Cortex A8 processor running at 800 MHz (but the iPhone 3GS is "downclocked" to 600 MHz to conserve battery life) and both have PowerVR SGX graphics processors that support OpenGL ES 2.0 as well as 256 MB of RAM. The iPod touch 3G is offered with 8 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of internal storage whereas the iPhone 3GS only is offered with 16 GB or 32 GB.

Apple formally estimates that both the iPod touch 3G and iPhone 3GS provide 30 hours of battery life for music playback, but only estimates six hours of video playback for the iPod touch 3G and ten hours for the iPhone 3GS.

Upfront pricing for the iPod touch 3G is more than the iPhone 3GS, but comes with no strings attached as one is not obligated to tie themselves to an expensive mobile phone contract for two years either. The iPod touch 3G and iPhone 3GS additionally are both capable of running the same applications from Apple's "App Store".

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

* The iPod touch 3G models are advertised as having 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support. However, third-party teardowns have discovered that the Broadcom BCM4329 chip that provides 802.11b/g is capable of 802.11n as well.

** The iPod touch 3G does not have an internal microphone, but it supports the external Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic and some third-party products. The Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic ship standard with the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations.

§ The 8 GB iPod touch 3G is offered for US$199, the 32 GB is US$299, and the 64 GB is US$399.

† These prices are advertised only for new AT&T Wireless customers. For non-qualified customers, the price with a new two-year agreement is US$599 or US$699.

Site sponsor PowerMax has new and used iPods available for sale free of sales tax.

Also see:

• What are the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 3G?
• What are the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre?
• What are the differences between the iPod touch 3G (Late 2009) and the iPod touch 2G?