How to tell which model you have

Several external features can help you identify your iPod.

iPod touch (Late 2009)

iPod touch (Late 2009) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 32 GB or 64 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos with Wi-Fi. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

The iPod touch (Late 2009) can be distinguished from iPod touch (2nd generation) by looking at the back of the device. All iPod touch models introduced in Late 2009 have two or three lines of text below the capacity engraving. The prior iPod touch (2nd generation) had four lines of text or more.

iPod touch (2nd generation)

iPod touch (2nd generation) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos with Wi-Fi. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

The iPod touch (2nd generation) can be distinguished from previous iPod touch models by it's contoured design and oval shaped antennae cover in the back upper left corner.

iPod touch

iPod touch features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos on the first-ever Wi-Fi iPod. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

iPod classic

The iPod classic is a hard drive-based iPod (80 GB, 120GB or 160 GB) featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like other models, it uses USB for syncing. The iPod classic is available in silver and black, and has an anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure.

You can distinguish the iPod classic from the iPod (5th generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod classic serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: Y5N, YMU, YMV, and YMX.

iPod nano (5th generation)

The iPod nano (5th generation) is available in 8 GB or 16 GB capacity and comes in 9 colors.

The iPod nano (5th generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its taller screen when compared to iPod nano (4th generation)
• Its polished anodized aluminum finish
• The inclusion of a camera and microphone on the back of the device

iPod nano (4th generation)

The iPod nano (4th generation) is available in 8 GB or 16 GB capacity and comes in 9 colors.

The iPod nano (4th generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

• It's taller screen
• It's curved surface
• It's oval shape when seen from the top or bottom
• The inclusion of an accelerometer that is used by the Shake feature.

iPod nano (3rd generation)

The iPod nano (3rd generation) is available in 4 GB or 8 GB capacity, and comes in 5 colors.

iPod nano (3rd generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

Its wider screen

Hold switch location on the bottom

Its ability to play video

You can also distinguish the iPod nano (3rd generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod nano (3rd generation) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: YOP, YOR, YXR, YXT, YXV, YXX.

Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

You can distinguish the Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) from the original Fifth Generation iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, and WUC.

Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

The Fifth Generation iPod is a a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black.

iPod nano (Second Generation)

iPod nano (Second Generation) is distinguished from other models by:

Its smaller size.

Its colors.

The dock connector and headphones port are both located on the bottom of the unit.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is an iPod nano (Second Generation) available in red and with a 4 GB or 8 GB drive capacity. With each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED purchased, $10 from the sale goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

iPod nano

iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod nano comes in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

The dock connector (1) and headphone jack (2) are both on the bottom of the iPod nano.

iPod shuffle (Second Generation)
iPod shuffle (Second Generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector.

iPod shuffle
iPod shuffle is smaller than iPod mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector.

iPod mini is distinguished from other models by:

Its smaller size.

Its colors.

The Hold switch, which is on the top-left side.

The Click Wheel's button labels, which are on the wheel itself.

The iPod mini (Second Generation) models are distinguished from the original iPod mini models by:

Hard drive size engraved on back of unit.

Click Wheel text color matches iPod mini (Second Generation) color

Click here for more differences.

iPod with color display
iPod and iPod photo are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display. They continue to have the same controls as iPod (Click Wheel) but now all models have a color display like iPod photo - ideal for viewing album artwork and playing slideshows. These are considered fourth generation models along with iPod (Click Wheel).

iPod (Click Wheel)
iPod (Click Wheel) models have a Click Wheel like the iPod mini, but are larger and the hold switch is on the top-right side. iPod (Click Wheel) models have a monochrome display. iPod (Click Wheel) is referred to as the fourth generation iPod.

iPod Special Edition U2
The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with certain external differences including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod Special Edition U2" engraved on the back. The first model was based an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display Generation iPod . These are both also considered fourth generation iPod models. In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In Sept 2006 a model based on the Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) was introduced. You can distinguish Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) from the Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be W9G.

iPod Special Edition Harry Potter
The iPod Special Edition Harry Potter is a standard iPod model with the Hogwarts Crest engraved on the back:

The first model was based an iPod with color display with a 20 GB hard drive. In October 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition Harry Potter was introduced that was based on an Fifth Generation iPod with a 30 GB hard drive.

iPod photo (also known as iPod with color display)
iPod photo models are functionally and visually identical to the iPod with color display (see above photo).

iPod (dock connector)

iPod (dock connector) models have a dock connector as illustrated here.

Newer iPod models like iPod (Click Wheel) and iPod mini also have a dock connector, but the iPod (dock connector) has a touch wheel instead of a Click Wheel and the four control buttons are above the touch wheel. iPod (dock connector models are referred to as third generation iPod models.

iPod (touch wheel)

All iPod (touch wheel) models have a FireWire port cover. Scroll wheel models don't, and dock connector models don't have a FireWire port. The iPod (touch wheel) model controls look similar to the iPod (scroll wheel) but the touch wheel itself does not turn. iPod (touch wheel) models are considered second generation iPod models. The top of an iPod (touch wheel) model is shown here:

iPod (scroll wheel)

iPod (scroll wheel) models have a scroll wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) appear in a circle around the wheel. iPod (scroll wheel) models are referred to as first generation iPod models.