Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.






iPod Q&A - Updated November 21, 2011

To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.




What processor do the iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod touch, and iPod shuffle models use?

Apple provides no official information regarding the processors used to power the iPod models.

Starting with the iPod nano 2nd Gen, the company has gone as far as having the processor custom branded with an Apple logo to make it more difficult to determine its origins. However, the below chart is believed to be accurate.

iPod Name

Processor

Details

iPod (Original/Scroll)

PP5002

PortalPlayer PP5002 "system on a chip" with dual embedded 90 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.

iPod 2nd Gen

PP5002

 

iPod 3rd Gen 10/15/30

PP5002

 

iPod 3rd Gen 10/20/40

PP5002

 

iPod 3rd Gen 15/20/40

PP5002

 

iPod 4th Gen ClickWheel

PP5020

PortalPlayer PP5020 "system on a chip" with dual embedded variable speed 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.

iPod U2 4th Gen

PP5020

 

iPod photo (30)

PP5020

 

iPod photo (40/60)

PP5020

 

iPod Color Display

PP5020

 

iPod U2 Edition (Color)

PP5020

 

iPod mini

PP5020

 

iPod mini 2nd Gen

PP5020

 

iPod 5th Gen (Video)

PP5021C

PortalPlayer PP5021C "system on a chip" with dual embedded variable speed 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors. For video decoding, these models use a Broadcom VideoCore BCM2722 processor.

iPod U2 5th Gen

PP5021C

 

iPod 5th Gen - Enhanced

PP5021C

The "Enhanced" 5th Gen iPod models are believed to use the same processors as the 5th Gen models.

iPod U2 5th Gen Enh.

PP5021C

 

iPod classic 6th Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod classic (6th Gen) models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod classic (2008)

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod classic (6th Gen/Late 2008) models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM like its predecessor.

iPod nano

PP5021C

PortalPlayer PP5021C "system on a chip" with dual embedded 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.

iPod nano 2nd Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano 2nd Gen models, but each uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For in-depth speculation regarding all of the chips used, please refer to ArsTechnica's iPod nano 2nd Gen "autopsy."

iPod nano 2nd Gen RED

Samsung ARM

 

iPod nano 3rd Gen/Fat

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano 3rd Gen models, but each uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod nano 4th Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano 4th Gen models, but each uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod nano 5th Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano 5th Gen models, but each uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod nano 6th Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano 6th Gen models, but it is believed to use a Samsung ARM like its predecessors.

iPod shuffle

STMP 3550

Uses a 75 MHz SigmaTel D-Major STMP 3550 processor.

iPod shuffle 2nd Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod shuffle 2nd Gen models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM.

iPod shuffle 3rd Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod shuffle 3rd Gen models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's "teardown."

iPod shuffle 3rd Gen Color

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod shuffle 3rd Gen (Colors) models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to iFixit's "teardown."

iPod shuffle 4th Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod shuffle 4th Generation models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM.

iPod touch

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod touch models, but it uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM running at 400 MHz. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod touch 2nd Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod touch 2nd Gen models, but third-party "teardowns" indicate that it uses an Apple branded Samsung ARM processor running at 533 MHz. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod touch 3rd Gen

Samsung ARM

Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod touch 3rd Gen models, but third-party "teardowns" indicate that the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations use an Apple branded Samsung ARM processor running at 800 MHz. For more information, please refer to iFixit's disassembly guide.

iPod touch 4th Gen

Apple A4

Like the original iPad and iPhone 4, the iPod touch (4th Generation) uses a custom ARM-based "system on a chip" that Apple refers to as an "Apple A4" processor. It integrates the CPU, graphics, the memory controller, and I/O functions.

iPod touch "4.5" Gen

Apple A4

The iPod touch "4.5" Gen uses the same Apple A4 processor as the 4th Gen model.

Should you have additional, or alternate, information about the processors used in the iPod please share.



Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices





<< iPod Q&A (Main)




Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.