iPod nano Models: Every Generation, 2005–2017
A flash-memory iPod with a screen
Between September 2005 and July 2017 Apple made seven generations of the iPod nano, a small flash-memory player with a colour screen. Its shape changed several times: tall and slim, short and wide, square with a clip, and finally tall again with a touchscreen.
Click Wheel generations (2005–2009)
The first generation, announced on 7 September 2005, replaced the iPod mini. It came in white or black, with 2GB at US$199 and 4GB at US$249, and a 1GB model followed on 7 February 2006 at US$149.
The second generation, from 12 September 2006, moved to an aluminium body. Capacity was linked to colour across 2GB, 4GB and 8GB models, and it added gapless playback and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The third generation, from 5 September 2007, took a short, wide shape with a 2-inch, 320 × 240 screen. It was the first nano to play video, with Cover Flow and games, in 4GB and 8GB versions.
The fourth generation, introduced on 9 September 2008, returned to a tall, curved aluminium-and-glass case in nine colours. An accelerometer switched to Cover Flow when the player was turned and shuffled songs when it was shaken.
The fifth generation, from 9 September 2009, kept that shape but added a 2.2-inch screen, a video camera, an FM radio with Live Pause, a pedometer and a speaker.
Touchscreen generations (2010–2017)
The sixth generation, announced on 1 September 2010, was a square player with a 1.54-inch Multi-Touch screen and a built-in clip, in 8GB and 16GB versions; it dropped the camera and video playback.
The seventh generation, unveiled on 12 September 2012, had a 2.5-inch Multi-Touch screen, a Home button, video playback, Bluetooth and the Lightning connector in a 5.4 mm body, sold as a single 16GB model at US$149. Later changes, in 2013 and on 15 July 2015, affected only its colours.
Discontinuation
On 27 July 2017 Apple said it was simplifying its iPod range and discontinued the iPod nano together with the iPod shuffle. The iPod touch, with doubled capacities, became the only iPod on sale.
Every generation compared
| Generation | Year | Capacity | Screen | Music playback | Weight | Launch price from | What was new |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2005 | 1–4 GB | 1.5-inch | up to 14 h | 43 g | US$199 | Flash memory and a colour screen in place of the mini |
| 2nd generation | 2006 | 2–8 GB | 1.5-inch | up to 24 h | 40 g | US$149 | Aluminium case in colours, 24-hour battery |
| 3rd generation | 2007 | 4–8 GB | 2-inch | up to 24 h | 49.2 g | US$149 | Video, 2-inch screen, short and wide shape |
| 4th generation | 2008 | 8–16 GB | 2-inch | up to 24 h | 36.8 g | US$149 | Tall curved case, accelerometer, nine colours |
| 5th generation | 2009 | 8–16 GB | 2.2-inch | up to 24 h | 36.4 g | US$149 | Video camera, FM radio, speaker, pedometer |
| 6th generation | 2010 | 8–16 GB | 1.54-inch | up to 24 h | 21.1 g | US$149 | Square Multi-Touch screen, built-in clip |
| 7th generation | 2012 | 16 GB | 2.5-inch | up to 30 h | 31 g | US$149 | Bluetooth, Lightning, 2.5-inch screen |
Battery figures are Apple's ratings for music playback; weight is for the lightest version; prices are US launch prices.