iPod classic and Full-Size iPod Models, 2001–2014
Before the classic name
Until 2007 Apple sold its full-size player simply as the iPod, and every generation stored music on a 1.8-inch hard drive. The first, announced on 23 October 2001, had a 5 GB drive, a mechanical scroll wheel and a FireWire port, worked only with Macs and cost US$399. The second, unveiled on 17 July 2002, replaced the moving wheel with a touch-sensitive one and added Windows versions, in 10 GB and 20 GB capacities. The third, launched on 28 April 2003, introduced the 30-pin dock connector and a row of four touch-sensitive buttons above the wheel. The fourth, released on 19 July 2004 in 20 GB and 40 GB versions, adopted the Click Wheel of the iPod mini.
Colour and video
The iPod photo of 26 October 2004 brought a 220 × 176-pixel colour screen to 40 GB and 60 GB models, and from 28 June 2005 every white iPod had a colour display. The fifth generation, announced on 12 October 2005 in 30 GB and 60 GB versions, was the first iPod to play video, on a 2.5-inch, 320 × 240 screen, and the first standard model offered in black as well as white. A revision on 12 September 2006 made the screen brighter and replaced the 60 GB model with an 80 GB one.
The iPod classic, 2007–2009
The sixth generation, introduced on 5 September 2007, took the iPod classic name together with an all-metal case, Cover Flow and capacities of 80 GB and 160 GB. A single 120 GB model with the Genius playlist feature replaced both on 9 September 2008, and on 9 September 2009 a 160 GB model in the same slim case took over at US$249. Apple's identification guide lists all three iPod classic versions under one model number, A1238.
Discontinuation
Apple removed the iPod classic from its online store on 9 September 2014, the day it presented the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, ending the full-size line almost 13 years after it began. Tim Cook later said the company could no longer source the parts needed to build it. The 160 GB iPod classic and the iPhone 4S were the last Apple products to use the 30-pin dock connector.
Every generation compared
| Generation | Year | Capacity | Screen | Music playback | Weight | Launch price from | What was new |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2001 | 5–10 GB | 2-inch | up to 10 h | 185 g | US$399 | The first iPod: 5 GB hard drive, scroll wheel, FireWire |
| 2nd generation | 2002 | 10–20 GB | 2-inch | up to 10 h | 185 g | US$399 | Touch wheel, 20 GB, first Windows version |
| 3rd generation | 2003 | 10–40 GB | 2-inch | up to 8 h | 158 g | US$299 | Dock connector, touch buttons above the wheel |
| 4th generation | 2004 | 20–40 GB | 2-inch | up to 12 h | 158 g | US$299 | Click Wheel, 12-hour battery |
| iPod photo | 2004 | 30–60 GB | 2-inch | up to 15 h | 167 g | US$499 | First colour screen, photo slideshows on TV |
| 5th generation | 2005 | 30–80 GB | 2.5-inch | up to 20 h | 136 g | US$299 | Video playback, 2.5-inch screen, thinner case |
| 6th generation | 2007 | 80–160 GB | 2.5-inch | up to 40 h | 140 g | US$249 | All-metal case, Cover Flow, 160 GB |
| 120 GB / 160 GB (2008–2009) | 2008 | 120–160 GB | 2.5-inch | up to 36 h | 140 g | US$249 | 120 GB in the slim case, Genius |
Battery figures are Apple's ratings for music playback; weight is for the lightest version; prices are US launch prices.