iPod Identification Guide

Not sure what type or generation iPod you have? Apple's released a lot of them so it's easy to get confused but our guide can help! Apple also hosts an iPod guide that you may also find useful.



iPod Touch


iPod Touch

iPod Touch 2nd Generation [2008-09]

The 2nd Generation iPod Touch is easily identified by its large, touch sensitive, screen. Not to be confused with the 1st generation, this iPod is thinner and has volume control buttons on its left side.

iPod Touch

iPod Touch 1st Generation [2007-08]

The 1st Generation iPod Touch is easily identified by its large, touch sensitive, screen. Not to be confused with the 2nd generation, this iPod does not have volume control buttons on its left side.




Classic iPods (Full Sized)

iPod 6th Generation

iPod 6th Generation (Classic) [2007-09]

The 6th Gen iPod Classic plays videos, has a black or gray faceplate with a silver backplate. It was available in 80GB or 160GB models and later in 120GB models. The headphone jack is located on the right side of the top of the iPod.

iPod 5th Generation

iPod 5.5th Generation (Video) [2006-07]

Similar to the original iPod Video, this revision comes with a 30GB or 80GB hard drive and a brighter screen. This iPod also came in a special U2 edition that has a black faceplate and red click wheel.

iPod 5th Generation (Video) [2005-06]

The 5th Gen video iPod plays videos, has a black or white faceplate with a silver backplate. It was available in 30GB or 60GB models. The headphone jack is located on the right side of the top of the iPod.

iPod Color

iPod Color [2005]

Very Similar to the iPod Photo, the iPod Color replaced the iPod Photo and 4th Generation iPod. From the outside it looks identical to the iPod Photo. iPod Colors where available in 20GB and 60GB sizes. This iPod also came in a special U2 edition that has a black faceplate and red click wheel.

iPod Photo [2004]

Similar to the click wheel iPod, the Photo has a white face plate and gray click wheel below its colour display. iPod Colors where available in 30, 40 and 60GB sizes. The headphone jack is located in the middle of the top of the iPod. This iPod also came in a special U2 edition that has a black faceplate and red click wheel.

iPod 4th Generation

iPod 4th Generation (ClickWheel iPod) [2004-05]

This iPod has a white face plate with a gray click wheel just below the screen. The headphone jack is located in the middle of the top of the iPod. This iPod also came in a special U2 edition that has a black faceplate and red click wheel.

iPod 3rd Generation

iPod 3rd Generation [2003-04]

This iPod is easily recognized by it's white face, 4 buttons aligned horizontally below the screen and a touch wheel below the buttons.




iPod Nano's & Mini's

iPod Nano 4th Generation

iPod Nano 4th Generation [2008-09]

iPod Nanos headphones plugin to the bottom of the iPod next to the dock connector. 4th Gen Nanos also play videos. These nanos come in 9 colors with a curved screen and have 8GB and 16GB capacities.

iPod Nano 3rd Generation

iPod Nano 3rd Generation [2007-08]

iPod Nanos headphones plugin to the bottom of the iPod next to the dock connector. 3rd Gen Nanos also play videos and are a bit stubby measuring about 70 mm in hight. These nanos came in 5 colors with a silver back plate and had 4GB and 8GB capacities.

iPod Nano 2nd Generation

iPod Nano 2nd Generation [2006-07]

iPod Nanos headphones plugin to the bottom of the iPod next to the dock connector. These nanos come in 5 colors and have 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB capacities.

iPod Nano 1st Generation

iPod Nano 1st Generation [2005-06]

iPod Nanos headphones plugin to the bottom of the iPod next to the dock connector. Introduced September 2005 1st Generation Nanos have either a white or black faceplate with a silver back plate and a color screen.

iPod Mini

iPod Mini 1st and 2nd Generation [2004-05]

The iPod Minis have a color aluminum case and the headphone jack is located on the right side of the top of the iPod. The 2nd Generation Mini has the hard drive size etched on the back, either 4GB or 6GB, the 1st Generation does not.