IPod Touch (6th generation)


The sixth-generation iPod Touch or iPod 6''', is a multipurpose handheld device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface. It is the successor to the iPod Touch, becoming the first major update to the iPod lineup in more than two and a half years. It was released on the online Apple Store on July 15, 2015, along with minor upgrades to the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle. The iPod Touch was officially discontinued by Apple on May 28, 2019, with the release of its successor, the iPod Touch. Support ended for the 6th generation just several months after discontinuation, as it is incompatible with iOS 13.

Features

Software

The sixth-generation iPod touch features iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. The user interface of iOS is based on the concept of direct manipulation, using multi-touch gestures. Interface control elements consist of sliders, switches, and buttons. Interaction with the OS includes gestures such as swipe, tap, pinch, and reverse pinch, all of which have specific definitions within the context of the iOS operating system and its Multi-Touch interface. Internal accelerometers are used by some applications to respond to shaking the device or rotating it vertically.
The sixth-generation iPod Touch ships with iOS 8.4, which was released on June 30, 2015 along with Apple Music. It can play music, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and podcasts and can sort its media library by songs, artists, albums, videos, playlists, genres, composers, podcasts, audiobooks, and compilations. Scrolling is achieved by swiping a finger across the screen. Alternatively, headset controls can be used to pause, play, skip, and repeat tracks. However, the EarPods that come with the sixth-generation iPod touch do not include a remote or microphone. The Voice Control feature can also be used to identify a track, play songs in a playlist or by a specific artist, or create a Genius playlist.
The sixth-generation iPod touch supports iOS 9 that was released in September 2015, iOS 10 that was released in September 2016, iOS 11 that was released in September 2017 and iOS 12 that was released in September 2018. The sixth-generation iPod touch support for iOS 12 made this the first iPod touch model to support five major versions of iOS so far from iOS 8 to iOS 12. As of January 2020, the 6th generation iPod touch simply states "Any Version" under the Max-supported version category within the device info.
The sixth-generation iPod touch is not supported by the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 13.

Hardware

The sixth-generation iPod touch features the Apple A8 and Apple M8 motion co-processor chipset with 64-bit architecture which is the same chip on iPad Mini 4, Apple TV 4th Gen, iPhone 6 and the HomePod but it is slightly underclocked at 1.1 GHz due to its small battery. It has 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM, twice the amount as the previous generation iPod touch.
Apple's Metal graphics technology is also compatible with the iPod touch 6th generation. The iPod touch features an 8MP rear iSight camera with video which can record in 1080p at 30fps, or 120fps in slow-motion mode that records at 720p. The camera also supports a burst mode and has an LED flash. Unlike the 5th-generation version, the rear camera on the 6th-generation iPod touch lacks a sapphire crystal lens. The front camera is unchanged from the previous generation, a 1.2MP sensor and can record video up to 720p. It is the first iPod touch that is available with 128 GB of storage, partially filling the void left behind by the iPod Classic which offered 160 GB of storage at the time it was discontinued.

Design

The exterior design of the sixth-generation iPod touch is largely identical to that of its predecessor, with the exception of the iPod touch Loop button, which was removed.
Back Color NameFrontCamera RingAntennaCapacities Available
Space GrayBlackBlackBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB
GoldWhiteGoldBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB
SilverWhiteSilverBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB
BlueWhiteSilverBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB
PinkWhiteSilverBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB
REDWhiteSilverBlack16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB


Accessories

The sixth-generation iPod touch comes with a Lightning Charging cable. This model also comes with the EarPods without Remote and Mic. This iPod touch is compatible with Apple's AirPods wireless headphones, which were announced at the September 7 2016 Apple Special Event along with the iPhone 7, and released in late December 2016. It's also compatible with the EarPods with Lightning Connector that came out at the same time the iPhone 7 did, and the remote functions are active.

Reception

Nate Ralph from CNET praised the device's camera quality and noted the iPod touch's exceptional performance, but criticized it for its middling battery life and small display, and stated that he considered it "largely redundant" due to smartphones and tablets. Sascha Segan from PCMag has also noted the poor battery life, but stated that the iPod touch is still the best option for anyone who would prefer a handheld media player that doesn't require an intimate relationship with a cellular carrier.