The 6th-generation iPod touch, colloquially known as the iPod touch 6G, iPod touch 6, and iPod touch (2015), is a multipurpose handheld device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface.[1] It is the successor to the 5th-generation iPod touch, becoming the first major update to the iPod lineup in more than two and a half years. It was released through the Apple online store on July 15, 2015, along with updated color options of the 7th-generation iPod nano and 4th-generation iPod shuffle.[2][3] The 6th-generation iPod touch was officially discontinued by Apple on May 28, 2019, with the release of its successor, the 7th-generation iPod touch. Although it is incompatible with iOS 13 or later, Apple has continued to release security updates for iOS 12, which is the last version of iOS that it supports.[4]
Features[]
Software[]
The 6th-generation iPod touch originally shipped with iOS 8.4, which was released on June 30, 2015, along with the Apple Music streaming service. It can play music, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and podcasts and can sort its media library by songs, artists, albums, videos, playlists, genres, composers, podcasts, audiobooks, and compilations. Scrolling is achieved by swiping a finger across the screen. Alternatively, headset controls can be used to pause, play, skip, and repeat tracks. However, the EarPods that come with the 6th-generation iPod touch do not include a remote or microphone.
The 6th-generation iPod touch supports iOS 9 through 12. The latest version of iOS that this device can run is 12.5.6, which is a security update only for devices that cannot run iOS 13.[5]
Hardware[]
The 6th-generation iPod touch features the Apple A8 and Apple M8 motion co-processor chipset with 64-bit architecture which is the same chip on the 4th-generation iPad mini, Apple TV HD, iPhone 6, and the HomePod, but it is slightly underclocked at 1.1 GHz (the iPhone 6 series was clocked at 1.4 GHz while the iPad mini 4 was clocked at 1.5 GHz) because of its small battery. It has 1 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, twice the amount as the previous-generation iPod touch.[6] Apple's Metal graphics technology is also compatible with this generation of iPod touch. With regard to battery life, this device is powered by a non-removable 1,043 mAh lithium polymer battery.[7] Based on tests conducted by Apple, the device can provide up to 40 hours of audio playback or 8 hours of video playback.[8]
The iPod touch features an 8 MP rear iSight camera with video which can record in 1080p at 30 fps, or 120 fps in slow-motion mode that records at 720p. The camera also supports a burst mode and has an LED flash. Unlike the previous-generation version,[9] the rear camera on the 6th-generation iPod touch lacks a sapphire crystal lens.[10] The front camera is unchanged from the previous generation, a 1.2 MP sensor and can record video up to 720p. It is the first iPod touch that is available with 128 GB of storage, partially filling the void left behind by the iPod Classic which offered 160 GB of storage at the time it was discontinued.
Design[]
The exterior design of the 6th-generation iPod touch is largely identical to that of its predecessor, with the exception of the iPod touch Loop button, which was removed.
| Back Color Name | Front | Camera Ring | Antenna | Capacities Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Gray | Black | Black | Black | 16 GB 32 GB 64 GB 128 GB |
| Gold | White | Gold | ||
| Silver | Silver | |||
| Blue | ||||
| Pink | ||||
| (Product) RED |
Accessories[]
The sixth-generation iPod touch comes with a Lightning charging cable. This model also comes with the EarPods without Remote and Mic. This iPod touch is compatible with Apple's AirPods wireless headphones, which were announced at a special event on September 7, 2016 Apple Special Event]] and released in late December 2016. It is also compatible with the EarPods with Lightning connector which launched concurrently with the iPhone 7.
Reception[]
Nate Ralph from CNET praised the device's camera quality and noted the iPod touch's exceptional performance, but criticized it for its middling battery life and small display, and stated that he considered it "largely redundant" due to smartphones and tablets.[11] Sascha Segan from PCMag has also noted the poor battery life, but stated that the iPod touch is still the best option for anyone who would prefer a handheld media player that does not require an intimate relationship with a cellular carrier.[12]
References[]
- ↑ New iPod touch Wins Critical Acclaim. iParts4U Blog (2015-09-29).
- ↑ Apple refreshes iPod lineup with new colors and major upgrades to iPod touch by James Vincent and Jacob Kastrenakes, The Verge. 2015-07-15.
- ↑ Gurman, Marc (2015-07-15). Apple to release new iPod touch today: gold option, 8MP camera, 64-bit, 128GB + new Nano/Shuffle colors. 9to5Mac.
- ↑ Apple releases iOS 12.5.6 for older iPhones by Wesley Hilliard, AppleInsider. 2022-08-31.
- ↑ Supported Devices | Beta Profiles. Apple Beta Profiles (June 3, 2019).
- ↑ Stop Everything: You Might Actually Want a New iPod touch. Wired (July 15, 2015).
- ↑ iPod Touch 6th Generation Teardown, iFixit.
- ↑ iPod touch (6th generation) - Technical Specifications
- ↑ Kee, Edwin (December 26, 2012). iPod touch (2012) enters the fifth generation. Ubergizmo.
- ↑ Apple iPod touch 6 generation disassembly. iFixit.
- ↑ Ralph, Nate (August 22, 2015). Apple iPod Touch 2015 review. CNET.
- ↑ Segan, Sascha (July 22, 2015). Apple iPod touch (2015). PC Magazine.
