How does the original iPad compare to the iPod touch 3rd Generation and the iPhone 4?

Please note that the original iPad and the iPod touch 3rd Generation have been discontinued. For more current Q&As, please refer to the main iPad Q&A.

At first glance, it is obvious that the iPad is larger than the 3rd Generation iPod touch and the iPhone 4, but beyond the size differences there are a number of feature and technical differences between the devices that merit closer evaluation. There are different contractual requirements as well.

It also is worth noting that there have been several iPhone and iPod touch models, and this Q&A compares the iPad to the iPhone 4 and 32 GB and 64 GB configurations of the 3rd Generation iPod touch, hereafter referred to simply as the iPod touch 3rd Gen.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Wi-Fi Only iPad - Front, Back, & Side)

The iPhone 4 and iPod touch 3rd Gen both have a 3.5" display, but the iPod touch display has a resolution of 320x480 (163 ppi) whereas the iPhone 4 has a much higher resolution 960x640 (326 ppi) "retina" display. The iPad has a physically larger 9.7" 1024x768 display but it is lower density (132 ppi). The iPod touch and iPad have black frames around the display whereas the iPhone 4 has a a chemically hardened "aluminosilcate" glass front over both the display and either a white or black frame. The iPhone 4 and iPad both have "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coatings, the iPhone 4 front and back, whereas the iPod touch does not.

All three have accelerometers that allow each to "know" whether it is being held in portrait or landscape mode and switch automatically and an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 4 - Left, iPod touch 3rd Gen - Right)

Externally, the front of all three effectively are the display, but the housing design and back material differences are notable. The iPad uses a matte aluminum case (models equipped with 3G have a plastic area on the top rear for the 3G antenna), the iPod touch 3rd Gen has a "mirror" reflective chromed steel rear case with an oval shaped plastic "window" for the wi-fi antenna, and the iPhone 4 has a stainless steel "band" that holds a chemically hardened white or black glass back that matches its front in material as well.

The iPhone 4 and iPod touch 3rd Gen run iOS 4 -- note that the 8 GB configuration of the iPod touch 3rd Gen does not support all features -- but the iPad runs iOS 3.2 with iOS 4 support promised for "this fall." All three devices support wireless keyboards via Bluetooth 2.1+EDR or the Apple keyboard dock accessory, although naturally, with the physically larger display, the iPad is better suited for composing full documents (and spreadsheets and presentations as well). It also is worth mentioning that a version of iWork -- Pages, Numbers, and Keynote -- is exclusively available for the iPad and a version of iMovie is exclusively available for the iPhone 4 (iWork cannot run on the iPhone 4 and iMovie cannot run on the iPad). These applications cannot run on the iPod touch 3rd Gen either.

All also have Wi-Fi -- 802.11b/g and the 2.4 GHz frequency of 802.11n for the iPhone 4 and full 802.11b/g/n for the iPad and 802.11b/g for the third generation iPod touch (hardware capable of 802.11n, but unsupported in software).

Otherwise, features are quite different between the three devices. The iPhone 4 has "phone" capability, mobile phone networking (3G/EDGE), GPS-A support, dual cameras -- a 5 megapixel HD video/still camera (720p at 30 FPS) with a "backside illuminated sensor," a 5X digital zoom, and an LED flash on the rear and a VGA quality video/still camera on the front designed for video conferencing over a Wi-Fi network with Apple's included "FaceTime" application, a digital compass, a three-axis gyroscope, and voice control functionality. The 3rd Gen iPod touch has voice control but lacks the remaining features (phone, 3G, GPS-A, cameras, digital compass, and gyroscope). iPad models likewise do not have mobile phone voice capability, voice control, cameras, or a gyroscope, but all do include a digital compass. High-end iPad models (US$629-US$829) have 3G networking and A-GPS as well.

Internally, the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations of the 3rd Gen iPod touch uses a Samsung ARM Cortex A8 processor running at 800 MHz, the iPad models have 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage and use a custom ARM-based 1 GHz "Apple A4" system-on-a-chip, and the iPhone 4 has 16 GB or 32 GB of storage and uses an Apple A4 processor like the iPad, but one of unspecified speed.

Upfront pricing for the 3rd Gen iPod touch and iPad have no contractual strings attached. As of the date last updated, wireless plans for iPad models equipped with 3G connectivity are available without a contract for US$15/month with a 200 MB data transfer limit and US$25/month with a 2 GB of data limit via AT&T Wireless in the US. The iPhone 4, on the other hand, requires a two-year contract with AT&T Wireless in the US at a minimum cost of US$54.99/month.

For your convenience, the primary differences between the iPad, 3rd Gen iPod touch and the iPhone 4 are summarized below:

	iPad	iPod touch 3	iPhone 4
Primary Functionality:	Fullscreen Web e-Reader Music Playback Video Playback Slideshows Word Processing Spreadsheets Presentations Wi-Fi 3G & GPS* Compass	Music Playback Video Playback Slideshows Wi-Fi	Music Playback Video Playback Slideshows Wi-Fi & 3G/EDGE GPS Phone Dual Video Cameras Video Conferencing Basic Video Editing Compass Gyroscope
Display Size:	9.7" (1024x768)	3.5" (320x480)	3.5" (960x640)
Display PPI:	132 ppi	163 ppi	326 ppi
Oleophobic Coating:	Front	None	Front & Back
Housing Material:	Glass & Aluminum	Glass & Steel	Glass & Steel
Processor Speed:	1 GHz	800 MHz	N/A
Data Networks:	2G/3G* & Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	2G/3G & Wi-Fi
Bluetooth:	2.1+EDR	2.1+EDR	2.1+EDR
Storage Size:	16, 32, 64 GB	8, 32, 64 GB	16, 32 GB
Talk Time (3G):	N/A	N/A	7 Hours
Talk Time (2G):	N/A	N/A	14 Hours
Music Runtime:	10 Hours**	30 Hours	40 Hours
Video Runtime:	10 Hours**	6 Hours	10 Hours
A-GPS:	No/Yes*	No	Yes
Gyroscope:	No	No	Yes
Digital Compass:	Yes	No	Yes
External Speaker:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microphone:	Yes	Yes†	Yes
Camera:	No	No	5.0 Megapixels
Video Recording:	No	No	720p & VGA
Voice Control:	No	Yes	Yes
Shake to Shuffle:	No	Yes	Yes
Genius Support:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nike + iPod:	No	Yes	Yes
Dimensions (In):	9.56 x 7.47 x 0.5	4.3 x 2.4 x 0.33	4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37
Weight:	1.5 or 1.6 lbs	4.05 oz. (115 g)	4.8 oz. (137 g)
Model No:	A1219/A1337	A1318	A1332
Price:	US$499-US$829††	US$199-US$399†††	US$199, US$299§

* Only high-end iPad models (US$629-US$829) have 2G/3G networking and A-GPS.

** Apple doesn't break out individual tasks for the battery life of the iPad. For more info, see "What is the battery life of the iPad in 'real-world' tests? Can you replace the battery?"

† The 3rd Gen iPod touch 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 are standard with the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations.

†† The iPad with 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of storage and Wi-Fi is US$499, US$599, and US$699, respectively. Configured with the same capacity, but 3G and A-GPS in addition to Wi-Fi costs US$629, US$729, and US$829.

††† The 8 GB iPod touch (3rd Gen) is offered for US$199, the 32 GB is US$299, and the 64 GB is US$399.

§These prices are advertised only for "qualified" AT&T Wireless customers. For "non-qualified" customers or those "who wish to buy iPhone as a gift," the price of these devices with a new two-year agreement is US$599 or US$699.

Ultimately, the iPod touch 3rd Gen is best suited for those who want a handheld computer capable of playing music, displaying photos and videos, surfing the web, and playing games.

The iPhone 4 also is a handheld computer capable of doing everything the iPod touch is capable of doing and then some with phone, mobile data connectivity, GPS, dual camera functionality, and more -- and has a truly beautiful display -- but it also often is tied to an expensive monthly plan.

The iPad is larger and is best suited for those who need portable -- but not handheld -- mobile Internet use, media playback, a digital book reader, as well as basic productivity applications and a full-size keyboard "dock". Only you can decide which device -- or devices -- are best for you.