iPod Touch VS iPhone VS iPad comparison

29 March 2010

1 Comment

Posted by:Josh

Looking for an iPod to iPhone to iPod Touch comparison? Below we will compare all three of the systems so that you can make an educated guess as to whether you want to buy the iPad or not. The all-new Apple device releases on April 3, 2010 in the United States with the 3G version coming at the end of the month. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK will be getting both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G versions of the iPad in late April.

iPad Versions and Pricing

First of all, you’ll want to know how much it will cost to take the dive into the iPad before you even consider buying it. Since this is new technology, be prepared to spend a pretty penny. There are also different versions of the iPad that give you more virtual memory to hold more virtual stuff (there are over 150,000 Apps available to download from day-one!). Here is the breakdown:

Regular iPad Pricing
16GB Version – $500
32GB Version – $600
64GB Version – $700

iPad Wi-Fi 3G (3G data plan sold separately, not included in below pricing)
16GB Version – $630
32GB Version – $730
64GB Version – $830

The key difference between the regular and 3G versions is the use of AT&T’s cellular networks and a beefier product overall with quicker speed and more features in the 3G version. The 3G will have two prepaid contract-free data plan options available when the 3G launches in the U.S. in late April, one for unlimited data and the other for 250 MB/month for half the price. You can sign up or cancel directly on the iPad at any time with no penalty.

iPad Features List

Here is a table showing a quick overview of the specifications and technical specs of both the regular iPad (on the left column) and the iPad 3G (on the right column). Thanks to Wikipedia for the table.

iPad Features
The iPad brings a whole new experience and depth to the way you can do the things you love. All of the built-in apps on iPad were designed from the ground up to take advantage of the large Multi-Touch screen and advanced capabilities of the iPad. And they work in any orientation. So you can do things with these apps that you can’t do on any other device, so says Apple.

Web Surfing
iPad is the best way to experience the web using the Safari browser. View whole pages in portrait or landscape on the large Multi-Touch screen. And let your fingers do the surfing.

E-Mail
There’s nothing like the Mail app on iPad. With a split-screen view and expansive onscreen keyboard, it lets you see and touch your email in ways you never could before.

Photo Viewing
A vivid LED-backlit IPS display makes viewing photos on iPad extraordinary. Open albums with a tap. Flip through your pictures one by one. Or play a slideshow and share your photos

Video Watching
The 9.7-inch high-resolution screen makes iPad perfect for watching HD movies, TV shows, podcasts, music videos, and more.

YouTube Support
With the YouTube app designed specifically for iPad, videos are even easier to find. And on the amazing iPad display, they’re more fun to watch. Especially in HD.

iPod In Your iPad
Reach out and touch your songs. View your album art full-size. iPad makes music look as good as it sounds.

iTunes
Millions of songs, thousands of movies and TV shows, and so much more. Browsing and buying are just a tap away.

App Store
You’ll find more than 150,000 apps on the App Store, and iPad can run almost all of them. Including everything from games to productivity apps.

iBooks
Reading is a joy on iPad. Text looks crisp and bright. Pages turn with a flick. And you can buy new books from the iBookstore. Just download the free iBooks app to get started.

Maps
See more of the world with iPad. Find locations easier than ever with street view, satellite view, or new terrain view — all using Google services.

Notes
With its large display and onscreen keyboard, iPad makes it easy to jot down quick notes and keep important information on hand. You can even email yourself reminders.

Calendar
Work, home, and everything in between. Your schedules are easy to read and easy to manage on iPad — even all at once.

Contacts
With Contacts on iPad, you can see much more than just names and numbers. And you can do more with them, too.

Home Screen
With just one press of the Home button, you have access to every app on your iPad.

Spotlight Search
No matter what you’re looking for, Spotlight Search can help you find it.

Accessibility
Universal access is built into iPad. So right out of the box, Apple makes it easy for people with disabilities to enjoy all that iPad has to offer.

iWork
The iWork productivity applications that you know and love on the Mac — Keynote, Pages, and Numbers — have been completely redesigned for iPad.2 So you can create great-looking presentations, documents, and spreadsheets. All using just your fingers. And while they’re easy to use, they’re also the most powerful productivity apps ever built for a mobile device.

Keynote
Create a presentation with custom graphic styles, elegantly designed themes, stunning animations and effects, and powerful new features designed just for iPad.

Pages
Pages has everything you need to put your words into beautiful documents. Including Apple-designed templates and easy-to-use formatting tools.

Numbers
Numbers includes over 250 easy-to-use functions, an intelligent keyboard, flexible tables, and eye-catching charts. So you can create compelling spreadsheets in just a few taps.

Here is a video that shows off all the features of the iPad.

Major Missing Features for iPad

Here are some of the major “thumbs down” features of the iPad that we know of so far . . .

*Absolutely no multitasking. This means you cannot do more than one thing at once. So you can’t be working with Pages while streaming video at the same time, for example. This is a pretty big drawback.
* Zero Flash support . . . Also a major setback.
* No camera for taking pictures or videos. Extremely disappointing as they would be INCREDIBLE on the huge screen.
* No SMS app!
* No USB ports! It only has a general dock connector for accessories and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Also includes a built-in microphone and speakers.

iPad specs and technical specifications list

Ready for some number crunching. There are a ton of numbers here so be prepared to work that brain!

iPad Size and Weight
Height
9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:
7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:
0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:
1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G mode

iPad Display
9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

iPad Capacity
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

iPad Processor
1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip

iPad Battery and Power
Built-in 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

iPad Sensors
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor

iPad Input and Output
Dock connector port
3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Built-in speaker
Microphone
Micro SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)

iPad Audio Playback
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Audio formats supported: HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
User-configurable maximum volume limit

iPad TV and Video
Support for 1024 by 768 pixels with Dock Connector to VGA Adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable; 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable
H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

iPad Mail Attachment Support
Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

iPad Languages
Language support for English, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian
Keyboard support for English (U.S.), English (UK), French (France, Canada), German, Japanese (QWERTY), Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting and Pinyin), Russian
Dictionary support for English (U.S.), English (UK), French, French (Canadian), French (Swiss), German, Japanese, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting and Pinyin), Russian

iPad Accessibility
Support for playback of closed-captioned content
VoiceOver screen reader
Full-screen zoom magnification
White on black display
Mono audio

iPad Wireless and Cellular
Wi-Fi model
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
Wi-Fi + 3G model
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Data only2
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

iPad Location
Wi-Fi
Digital compass
Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

Included in the iPad Box are:
iPad
Dock Connector to USB Cable
10W USB Power Adapter
Documentation

iPad Mac System Requirements
Mac computer with USB 2.0 port
Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
iTunes Store account
Internet access

iPad Windows System Requirements
PC with USB 2.0 port
Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
iTunes Store account
Internet access

iPad Environmental Requirements
Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

iPad Environmental Status Report
iPad embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It is designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:
Arsenic-free display glass
BFR-free
Mercury-free LCD display
PVC-free
Recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure

iPad Accessories List (first-party)

Like any popular device, there will be a number of accessories released for you to add additional functionality and ease-of-use to your new device.

iPad Keyboard Dock
The iPad Keyboard Dock combines a dock for charging your iPad with a full-size keyboard. The dock has a rear dock connector port, which lets you connect to an electrical outlet using the USB Power Adapter, sync to your computer, and use accessories like the iPad Camera Connection Kit. An audio line out port lets you connect to a stereo or powered speakers (audio cable sold separately).

iPad Case
With a soft microfiber interior and reinforced panels to provide structure, the iPad Case is the perfect way to carry around your iPad. And it does double duty. It folds in just the right places to act as a stand that holds iPad at an ideal angle for watching videos and slideshows or for typing on the onscreen keyboard.

iPad Dock
With the iPad Dock, you get easy access to a dock connector port for syncing or charging, and an audio line out port for connecting to powered speakers via an optional audio cable. The iPad Dock also supports other iPad accessories, such as the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter and the iPad Camera Connection Kit.

iPad Camera Connection Kit
The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card. iPad supports standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW.

iPad 10W USB Power Adapter
The iPad 10W USB Power Adapter lets you charge your iPad directly through an electrical outlet. And the 6-foot-long power cord allows you to charge it from an even greater distance.

iPhone 3GS Features for iPad Comparison

Once you’ve soaked in all of the information about the iPad listed above, scroll back down here and compare it with the features list of the iPhone 3GS. Obviously the most glaring difference is a lack of a traditional phone in the iPad (but there’s always Skype). The iPad also doesn’t take videos, however. And there are more differences as you’ll see in the features list of the iPhone 3GS.

iPhone 3GS Prices and System Pricing
16GB Version – $200
32GB Version – $300

iPhone 3GS Main Features
Improved performance
3-megapixel autofocus camera
Video recording
Voice Control
Digital compass1
Cut, Copy & Paste
MMS3
Spotlight Search
Landscape keyboard
Voice Memos

Regular iPhone 3G Prices for Comparison
8GB Version – $100

Regular iPhone 3G Main Features
2-megapixel camera
Cut, Copy & Paste
MMS3
Spotlight Search
Landscape keyboard
Voice Memos

iPhone 3GS The Fastest iPhone Ever
The first thing you’ll notice about iPhone 3GS is how quickly you can launch applications. Web pages render in a fraction of the time, and you can view email attachments faster. Improved performance and updated 3D graphics deliver an incredible gaming experience, too. In fact, everything you do on iPhone 3GS is up to 2x faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G.

iPhone 3GS Video
Now you can shoot video, edit it, and share it — all on your iPhone 3GS. Shoot high-quality VGA video in portrait or landscape. Trim your footage by adjusting start and end points. Then share your video in an email, post it to your MobileMe gallery, publish it on YouTube, or sync it back to your Mac or PC using iTunes.

iPhone 3GS 3-Megapixel Camera
The new 3-megapixel camera takes great still photos, too, thanks to built-in autofocus and a handy new feature that lets you tap the display to focus on anything (or anyone) you want.

iPhone 3GS Voice Control
Voice Control recognizes the names in your Contacts and knows the music on your iPod. So if you want to place a call or play a song, all you have to do is ask.

iPhone 3GS Compass
With a built-in digital compass, iPhone 3GS can point the way. Use the new Compass app, or watch as it automatically reorients maps to match the direction you’re facing.

iPhone 3GS Cut, Copy & Paste
Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications. Copy and paste images and content from the web, too.

iPhone 3GS Landscape Keyboard
Want more room to type on the intelligent software keyboard? Rotate iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.

iPhone 3GS Messages
Send messages with text, video, photos, audio, locations, and contact information. You can even forward one or more messages to others.

iPhone 3GS Search
Find what you’re looking for across your iPhone, all from one convenient place. Spotlight searches all your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as everything in your iPod.

iPhone 3GS Accessibility
iPhone 3GS offers accessibility features to assist users who are visually or hearing impaired. These features include the VoiceOver screen reader, a Zoom feature, White on Black display options, Mono Audio, and more.

iPhone 3GS Internet Tethering
Surf the web from practically anywhere. Now you can share the 3G connection on your iPhone with your Mac notebook or PC laptop.

iPhone 3GS Voice Memos
Capture and share a thought, a memo, a meeting, or any audio recording on the go with the new Voice Memos application.

Nike + iPhone
iPhone includes built-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your workout.

iPhone 3GS Stocks
Stocks on iPhone shows you charts, financial details, and headline news for any stock you choose. Rotate iPhone to see even more detailed information.

iPhone 3GS YouTube
Watch YouTube videos wherever you are. Log in to your YouTube account to save and sync bookmarks and rate your favorites.

iPhone 3GS Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe
If you misplace your iPhone, Apple’s MobileMe service can help you find it. Log on to me.com to view a map that shows the approximate location of your iPhone. If it’s nearby, have it play an alert sound to help you find it. If it’s not, you can display a custom message, remotely lock it with a passcode, or initiate a remote wipe and restore it to factory settings.

Everything you love about iPhone
Phone, iPod, and Internet device in one, iPhone 3GS offers desktop-class email, an amazing Maps application, and Safari — the world’s most advanced mobile web browser. And your iPhone does even more when you add apps from the App Store.

iPod Touch Features for iPad/iPhone Comparison

Although the iPod Touch is now the obsolete old man of the bunch, it is still an outstanding device with a bevy of cool features. Here’s the list for comparison sake.

iPod Touch price and system pricing details

8GB Version – $200
Features:
1,750 songs
10 hours of video
Earphones

32GB Version – $300
Features:
7,000 songs
40 hours of video
Faster performance
Earphones with Remote and Mic

64GB Version – $400
Features:
14,000 songs
80 hours of video
Faster performance
Earphones with Remote and Mic

iPod Touch Voice Control
Control music playback on the 32GB and 64GB iPod touch with spoken commands.

iPod Touch Voice Memos
Record notes, random thoughts, to-dos, any audio you want.

iPod Touch Music
Listen to Genius Mixes automatically created just for you.

iPod Touch Movies and TV Shows
Buy movies and TV shows right on iPod touch. Rent movies, too.

iPod Touch App Store
Get recommendations for apps you might like with the Genius feature.

iTunes
Create an iTunes Store account and shop over Wi-Fi anytime, anywhere

iPod Touch Photos
Take your photos with you. Share them in an email. Make your favorite your wallpaper.

iPod Touch Home Screen
Customize the arrangement of your apps across multiple Home screens in iTunes 9.

iPod Touch Safari Web Browser
Visit your favorite websites anytime you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

iPod Touch E-Mail
Send email and view your attachments from your Gmail, MobileMe, or other email account.

iPod Touch Maps
Want sushi? You can find places to go to and see how to get there with Maps.

iPod Touch Youtube
Watch the latest viral video sensation and access your favorite videos.

Nike + iPod Touch
Achieve your fitness goals with iPod touch and Nike + iPod support built in.

More Features
Start using all the great features of the 3.1 software out of the box.