Apple launches new 16GB iPod Touch, omits iSight camera, costs $229

By Darshik Jariwala - May, 30th 2013

Apple refreshed its iPod Touch line-up today by adding another model in the product range. The new model, which is also a part of iPod Touch 5^th generation, is a cheaper version of the current line-up. Albeit, the newly introduced iPod Touch excludes some functions and features.

The model, which is only available in a single color, Black and Silver, carries a price tag of $229. It retains the 4-inch screen with retina display, the screen resolution being the same, 1136-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 pixels per inch.

It offers 16GB of storage capacity. When Apple first launched the 5^th generation iPod Touch, it was only available in 32GB in 64GB variants. Apple chose to remove the “Loop” in this particular model. And that’s not it, the 5 Mega-Pixel rear iSight Camera has also been removed. The front-facing 1.2 Mega-Pixel Camera has been retained which records video at 720p. Thankfully, it still carries the new EarPods.

Apple’s earning in iPod Touch department have dropped drastically in the last quarter, despite refreshing the line-up with the bigger screen and better Camera last year, the price range of which started at $299. Understandably, many were of the opinion that it isn’t really worth to spend $300 on an iPod Touch, which might be the reason behind the decline in its sales, which in turn prompted Apple to respond with a cheaper and more affordable model.

So if you are someone who prefers something like iPod Touch to click Pictures and Videos instead of a Camera, or some who likes to carry a lot of media over it, the 16GB model is not for you.

From the looks of it, it appears that we won’t see an upgrade to iPod Touch in any of the Apple event this year at-least, for 2 reasons mainly; 1: iPod Touch is no more as profitable for Apple as it used to be and 2: There is not a lot of scope for upgrade (Without affecting its price). If people are not willing to pay $300 now, an upgrade would mean a slightly costlier model, which is not a viable option.

We are only about 10 days away from the WWDC event, where Tim Cook would be announcing and showcasing the iOS 7 and the latest version of Mac OS X.

Check the Official Apple page here, with complete Specifications and Details.

Photo Credit – Daiji Hirata/Flickr