Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For most buyers, no—but a seventh-generation iPod touch can still make sense if you specifically want a tiny, Wi-Fi-only device for local music, offline media, or nostalgia. Apple discontinued the iPod touch on May 10, 2022, and its last model is now an aging device with uncertain app and repair support. If you want a modern everyday Apple device, a suitable used iPhone is usually the more capable purchase.
Is an iPod touch still sold new?
No. Apple discontinued the iPod touch in May 2022 and said remaining inventory would be sold while supplies lasted. In 2026, listings are generally used, refurbished, old stock, or collector items—not current Apple retail inventory. Apple still has support documentation for the product, but documentation does not mean it is still manufactured or actively marketed. MacRumors’ report on the discontinuation
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who might still find one worthwhile?
| Buyer or purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Modern everyday device | No. Choose a supported phone or tablet. |
| Cellular calls, texts, mobile data, or dependable navigation | No. The iPod touch has no cellular modem. |
| Small offline music or audiobook player | Maybe, if the battery and storage suit the library. |
| Child’s Wi-Fi device | Maybe, with parental controls and an understanding that it is not a cellular communication device. |
| Current apps and games | Usually no. Compatibility depends on each app and service. |
| 3.5mm headphone jack or nostalgic design | Possibly, if the price reflects the limitations. |
| Collector | It depends on condition, packaging, color, capacity, and the buyer’s interest—not simply on discontinuation. |
Why the iPod touch still appeals
The seventh-generation model weighs 88 grams and has a 4-inch screen, a wired 3.5mm headphone jack, Lightning charging, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It is small enough to carry as a separate player, and a dedicated device can help someone keep music or games off their primary phone. It also offers a familiar iOS interface and a recognizable piece of Apple history.
That separation is a choice, not a built-in distraction safeguard. The iPod touch can still connect to Wi-Fi and access browsing, games, social services, and notifications where compatible. Families need to configure accounts, parental controls, and Wi-Fi access deliberately.
#1 Best Overall
- 4-Inch Retina display
- Your favorite music, gaming, and AR apps in your pocket
- A10 Fusion chip for up to 2x faster performance, Up to 3x faster graphics
- Group FaceTime with family and friends
- Connect using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
What the seventh-generation model offers
The seventh generation, introduced in May 2019, is the only iPod touch generally worth considering for practical use. Its specifications make it a compact media device, not a current substitute for an iPhone. Apple’s technical specifications
| Feature | Seventh-generation iPod touch |
|---|---|
| Processor | A10 Fusion |
| Storage options | 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB |
| Display | 4-inch Retina IPS, 1136 × 640 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Weight | 88 grams (3.10 ounces) |
| Rear camera | 8MP; records 1080p video |
| Front camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD; records 720p video |
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Cellular service | None |
| Connectors | Lightning and 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Location | Wi-Fi-based location services; not equivalent to cellular connectivity |
What works—and where to expect trouble
Local music and offline media
Local music, personally owned audio files, downloaded podcasts or audiobooks, and video files are the most durable use cases because they depend less on an app provider continuing to support an old device. Apple estimates that a standard configuration uses approximately 10GB–12GB for iOS and preinstalled apps, so 32GB leaves substantially less room for personal content than the label suggests. A larger music or video library is a better fit for 128GB or 256GB, provided the extra cost is reasonable. Apple’s specifications and storage notes
Streaming is less certain than local playback. Apple Music and other services depend on their current apps, account systems, network requirements, and digital-rights-management rules. Subscription downloads may also require an active subscription and account. Purchased or personally owned files are generally a more dependable basis for an offline library, though transfer and sync requirements can still matter.
Recommended Free Tools
Apps, browsing, and online services
The seventh-generation iPod touch cannot run iOS 16; Apple’s iOS 16 compatibility list excluded every iPod touch model. That does not mean every app stopped working at once, but an older operating system makes future compatibility increasingly uncertain. MacRumors’ report on iPod touch and iOS 16 compatibility
Rank #2
- 4-Inch Retina display
- Your favorite music, gaming, and AR apps in your pocket
- A10 Fusion chip for up to 2x faster performance, Up to 3x faster graphics
- Group FaceTime with family and friends
- Connect using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
App availability is not the same as app reliability. A previously acquired app may sometimes offer an older compatible version, but that depends on the developer and is not guaranteed. New installations, sign-in, browser requirements, certificates, streaming protections, or a service’s servers may fail even when an app launches. Check the current iOS requirement for every essential app before buying; a seller’s statement that “the App Store works” does not establish that a specific app will install or function.
Games, calls, and location
The A10 Fusion could run many games when the device was current, but new games may require a newer system or faster hardware. Older games may also have been removed, may no longer sign in, or may rely on servers that have shut down. Treat access to a particular title as something to verify, not a reason to assume every game will work.
The iPod touch cannot make ordinary cellular calls, send SMS over a mobile network, or use mobile data. FaceTime and other internet communications, where supported, require Wi-Fi. Location assistance uses nearby Wi-Fi networks and is not the equivalent of a cellular-connected phone’s location experience, particularly away from known networks.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow it compares with a used iPhone
A used iPhone is usually the better general-purpose Apple device at a similar price: it adds cellular connectivity and typically offers a larger display, better cameras, stronger performance, and a more viable app ecosystem. Its exact software eligibility, battery condition, carrier status, and app compatibility still depend on the model and condition.
Rank #3
- Brilliant 4- Inch Retina display with Multi-Touch IPS technology.
- iOS 7 features - Siri, Apple Designed Maps, Integrated Facebook, Shared Photo Streams, Passbook & more.
| Feature | iPod touch 7 | Used iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular calls and data | No | Usually, depending on model and carrier compatibility |
| Size and weight | Very small; 88 grams | Generally larger and heavier |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | Yes | Depends on the model |
| App and software outlook | Limited by its older system; check each app | Depends on model, but generally a better prospect |
| Camera | Basic 8MP rear and 1.2MP front cameras | Usually more capable; check the model |
| Battery | Age and previous use can be significant concerns | Also inspect battery condition |
| Best fit | Dedicated Wi-Fi media device | General-purpose phone |
For example, Apple’s Certified Refurbished iPhone 16e listing describes an A18 chip, OLED display, USB-C, cellular connectivity, a one-year limited warranty, and a 14-day return policy. It is a substantially different and more capable category of device, not a like-for-like pocket music player. Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone 16e listing
Which generation should you buy?
Seventh generation: the practical-use choice
For someone who wants an iPod touch to use rather than simply display, the seventh generation is the sensible candidate. Apple identifies it as model A2178, introduced in May 2019. Confirm the model and storage rather than relying on a listing title. Apple’s model identification information
Sixth generation: only for narrow, low-cost use
The sixth generation is older, more exposed to battery wear, and a weaker bet for long-term software and app needs. Apple lists it as vintage worldwide, a classification associated with reduced or unavailable hardware service depending on region and parts availability. It may suit a very inexpensive offline-music, retro-game, or collecting purchase, but is not the practical choice for modern apps.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fifth generation and earlier: legacy or collecting
Apple lists earlier generations, including the fifth, as obsolete worldwide. Treat them as nostalgic objects or devices for specific legacy uses, not as sensible modern app players. Apple’s vintage and obsolete classifications can change, and service availability may vary by region. Apple’s vintage and obsolete product list
Rank #4
- In the Box - iPod Touch, Apple EarPods, Lightning to USB cable, QuickStart guide
- Brilliant 4- Inch Retina display with Multi-Touch IPS technology
- Front-Facing FaceTime camera with 1.2MP photos & 720p HD video recording.
- iOS 7 features - Siri, Apple Designed Maps, Integrated Facebook, Shared Photo Streams, Passbook & more
What should you pay?
There is no dependable universal fair price: secondhand listings vary, and sealed or unusual models can be priced for collectors rather than everyday use. Compare the asking price with a used iPhone that meets your needs, and judge the iPod’s practical value by generation, battery condition, storage, return rights, and intended use. The seventh generation began at $199 in 2022; that is historical launch-price context, not a current value benchmark. Contemporary discontinuation coverage
- Very low price: It may be worthwhile for offline media or nostalgia if you accept its limitations.
- Moderate price: Consider a seventh-generation unit only when condition, storage, and a return option justify it.
- High price: Compare carefully with a newer used or refurbished iPhone; collector pricing does not make a device a better practical buy.
Used iPod touch buying checklist
- Confirm the generation and model. For practical use, verify seventh generation and model A2178, along with the storage capacity.
- Check Activation Lock. Have the seller erase the device and remove it from their Apple Account. Do not buy a unit that cannot be activated under your account.
- Assess the battery. Ask about real playback or normal-use duration. Watch for rapid charge drops, unexpected shutdowns, excess heat, or swelling. Prefer a return period over an unsupported battery-health assurance.
- Match storage to your library. Account for the approximately 10GB–12GB used by a standard configuration before deciding whether 32GB is enough.
- Test connections. Connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, charge through the Lightning port, and listen through both channels of the headphone jack.
- Inspect the screen and controls. Check for dead pixels, touch dead zones, ghost touches, and a sticking Home button.
- Test audio and cameras. Check speakers and microphone, record video, and test both cameras and FaceTime if those functions matter to you.
- Check essential apps yourself. Verify current iOS requirements and sign-in needs for each app you depend on; do not rely on a generic assurance that the App Store works.
- Set repair expectations. Treat repair as potentially uneconomical for the device’s value, especially given Apple’s service classifications for older generations.
When an alternative is a better fit
Choose a used or refurbished iPhone for everyday use
Choose an iPhone if you need calls, mobile data, navigation, better cameras, a larger screen, or more dependable access to current apps. On a used device, check current iOS eligibility, battery, carrier lock, parts warnings, Activation Lock, and compatibility with the apps you need. Apple’s Certified Refurbished inventory is distinct from independently refurbished marketplace listings; verify the actual model, terms, and availability on the product page.
Choose an iPad for a larger-screen device
An iPad is better for video, games, reading, schoolwork, and accessibility, but it is not pocketable in the same way. Apple’s seventh-generation iPad, for comparison, has a 10.2-inch display and weighs about 483 grams. Apple’s seventh-generation iPad specifications
Choose a dedicated music player for local audio
A dedicated music player may be a better fit if your priorities are long battery life, local files, expandable storage, or fewer app distractions. You give up the familiar iOS interface and Apple ecosystem access, so the choice depends on whether those matter more than a focused audio device.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
