Reviews4,313 Reviews

All Reviews > Hardware > Audio > MP3 players

February 11, 2008

32GB iPod touch review

Apple's new 32GB iPod touch very nearly lives up to the dream of the phone-less iPhone. See also: Second-gen iPod touch review.

When Apple unveiled the iPod touch our initial reaction was lukewarm. Its video wasn't as bright and defined as that of the iPhone. It offered an unnecessarily hobbled set of features - the Calendar application, for example, didn't allow you to add or edit events and it lacked applications such as Stocks, Weather, and Notes. And its playtime didn't measure up to Apple's estimates.

Slick though the touchscreen interface was, many were disappointed that the touch didn't live up to the dream of the "phone-less iPhone". Not now, however.

See also:

Apple iPhone review

Apple iPod touch review

Apple iPod touch 1.1.3 software update review

Getting the picture

Apple addressed the most egregious video performance issues - where dark video and photos were really dark and lacked contrast - in the iPod touch 1.1.1 update. After applying the update, video on affected iPods improved.

Yet even with the update our original 16GB iPod touches didn't produce video as bright and defined as did an iPhone, though what it did produce was watchable.

The quality of the 32GB iPod touch's screen still doesn't match that of the iPhone. Its display has a yellower cast and is darker than the iPhone's display. But you're unlikely to be bothered by these issues unless you have the touch next to an iPhone and compare the two.

Added applications

Apple eventually allowed adding and editing events within the touch's Calendar application through a free software update.

The iPhone's "non-phone" applications remained missing in action, however, until Steve Jobs announced an add-on package of iPod touch applications at the recent Macworld Expo. These applications - Mail, Stocks, Maps, Weather and Notes - are included with iPod touches sold today.

They work just as they do on the iPhone other than providing links to calling functionality. For example, you can ask an iPhone to dial a phone number embedded in a Safari page or contact. Obviously this feature doesn't exist on the iPod touch.

Just as with an iPhone running version 1.1.3 of the iPhone software, the iPod touch, with its 1.1.3 software includes the Maps application enhancements as well as the ability to place web clippings on the Home screen, rearrange icons on that Home screen, and add additional Home screen pages to accommodate those web clippings and the third-party applications that Apple will make available later this year.

NEXT PAGE: better battery management, and our expert verdict > >

For more mobile phone news, reviews and tutorials, see Mobile Advisor

Continued...
1 | 2 | 3 | NEXT >

Independent customer reviews from

Apple iPod touch 32GB scored:
9.1 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 30 reviews:

13 Sep 2009 Simon, South Wales

9

Good Points

A very snazzy product. Its with out a doubt the most easiest to use device i have ever purchased.

Bad Points

One thing that i was not aware of when buying the ipod touch is that you have to be in a Wifi area to connect to the internet. I am not sure how the iphone goes about connecting to the internet if your not in a wifi area. For example with the ipod touch i have a wireless wifi broadband network connection at home, i can connect to the interner via that with the ipod touch. However if i stray more than a few meters from my router then the connection is lost. I am not sure if the iphone is able to have greater access as it has a mobile phone connection and maybe able to over come this using 3G... or what ever it is nowdays. So please be aware that unless your in a good wireless hotspot area like in a city such as cardiff, london, or an airport etc then the ipod touch is pretty much useless if on your travels somewhere. itunes is also not very good, it without authorization removes some files that you can copy to it. On the rear of the ipod touch there is a small black square that is the wifi aerial, as the ipod touch is designed to be used in the palm of your hand. Unforuntatley if you put your hand over the black square this can stop your internet connection working. Unfortunately my budget does not allow me to stretch to the iphone its to highly priced. Also the ipod touch will proably be out of date in next 6 months!

16 Sep 2009 Antonis, Athens

9

Good Points

Everything is very human. They thought very well before making it. A vary nice small device for everything.

Bad Points

Many problems when trying to see multimedia on the internet. Low range in Wi-Fi. You can't go far away from the router.

See more Apple iPod touch 32GB reviews on Reevoo.com

Best Prices

£209
Go»
£210
Go»
£210
Go»
Prices, delivery and availability at 29 retailers
Go»

User Reviews

Thursday, 23 October 2008

Reviewed by shutternut

Star Rating: rating of 4

Duration of ownership: 1 weeks

Strengths:
32GB memory storage, 3.5 inch wide screen

Weaknesses:
none

Overall Evaluation:
The Apple ipod touch is a great multimedia player. It has a 3.5-inch wide screen display to watch movie and play music.

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor Reviews to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan

Total reviews: 4,313

See product specs

expert rating

Build quality

4.5/5

Features

3.5/5

Value for money

3.5/5

Overall

4/5

expert rating

PC Advisor Reader Ratings

4/5

32GB iPod touch

READER REVIEWS


Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader reviews

Latest reader reviews


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now