iPod touch 5th Generation (2012): History and Specs
A 4-inch screen in a 6 mm body
Unveiled on 12 September 2012 at the event that introduced the iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod touch moved to a 4-inch Retina display of 1136 × 640 pixels at 326 ppi. Pre-orders opened on 14 September and shipping began in October. Apple called it the thinnest iPod touch ever: the anodised aluminium body measured 123.4 × 58.6 × 6.1 mm and weighed 88 g. The 32GB model cost US$299 and the 64GB model US$399.
Colours, loop and connectors
It was the first iPod touch offered in five colours: pink, yellow, blue, white and silver, and black and slate, plus (PRODUCT) RED versions. A colour-matched wrist strap, the iPod touch loop, came in the box and attached to a button on the back. Lightning replaced the 30-pin dock connector, with a Lightning to 30-pin adapter sold separately, and Apple EarPods were included. Wi-Fi gained 802.11a and 5 GHz support, and Bluetooth moved from version 2.1 to 4.0.
Cameras and software
The dual-core A5 chip, which Apple said gave up to twice the processing power and up to seven times faster graphics than the fourth generation, ran iOS 6. This was the first iPod touch with Siri. The rear 5-megapixel iSight camera had autofocus, an LED flash and a panorama mode and recorded 1080p video; the front FaceTime HD camera took 1.2-megapixel photos and 720p video. Apple quoted up to 40 hours of music or 8 hours of video per charge.
Range changes and successor
On 30 May 2013 Apple added a 16GB model at US$229 with no rear camera and no loop, sold only with a black front and silver back. Reviewing it in June 2013, Macworld's Christopher Breen still considered the fifth generation the best iPod of its type Apple had made. In September 2013 space grey replaced slate on the 32GB and 64GB models. On 26 June 2014 a 16GB model with the camera and the full colour range arrived at US$199, and the 32GB and 64GB versions fell to US$249 and US$299. The sixth-generation iPod touch replaced it on 15 July 2015; the last software it supported was iOS 9.3.5.
Specifications
| Announced | 12 September 2012; in shops in October 2012 |
|---|---|
| Launch price (US) | US$299 (32 GB), US$399 (64 GB); 16 GB at US$229 from 30 May 2013 |
| Capacity | 32 GB or 64 GB flash memory; 16 GB from 2013 |
| Display | 4-inch Retina display, 1136 × 640 pixels at 326 ppi |
| Chip | Apple A5 (dual-core) |
| Cameras | Rear: 5-megapixel iSight; front: FaceTime HD with 720p video. The 16 GB model of 2013 has no rear camera |
| Battery | Up to 40 hours of music or 8 hours of video |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Connectors | Lightning connector, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Size | 123.4 × 58.6 × 6.1 mm (4.86 × 2.31 × 0.24 in) |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz); 16 GB: 86 g |
| Colours | Pink, yellow, blue, white and silver, black and slate, (PRODUCT) RED |
| Works with | OS X 10.6.8 or later; Windows 7, Vista or XP (SP3) |
| Model number | A1421; A1509 for the 16 GB model |
Figures from Apple's published technical specifications. Where Apple lists only inches and ounces, metric values are converted and rounded.
How to identify it
- A taller 4-inch screen and a Lightning port on the bottom.
- A button on the back for the iPod touch loop strap (32 GB and 64 GB models).
- Model number A1421, or A1509 for the 16 GB model without a rear camera.
Where to find the model number and serial number: how to identify a used iPod.