iPod 4th Gen 2012

The 2012 release of the iPod touch (4th Gen) is identical to the 2011 version, but it was offered in different capacities, at a lower price per gigabyte, and with more restricted operating system support for "tethering."

Like its "4th Gen" predecessors, the iPod touch (4th Gen, 2012) looks like a "phone-less" iteration of the iPhone 4. It lacks 3G/EDGE mobile networking, A-GPS (though it supports Wi-Fi-based location mapping), and a digital compass. It also has a lower-quality, roughly 0.70-megapixel rear camera without a flash.

Otherwise, the iPod touch (4th Gen, 2012) is very similar to the iPhone 4. It includes a 3.5" 960x640 (326 ppi) "Retina display" (though a lower-quality non-IPS version), FaceTime video calling via Apple ID or email, an integrated microphone, a front-facing VGA camera, iMovie editing support, a 3-axis gyroscope, and 720p video recording (with the lower-quality camera).

Powered by an Apple A4 processor like the iPhone 4, it has only 256 MB of RAM (compared to 512 MB) and was available with 16 GB or 32 GB of storage. Apple's estimated battery life is 40 hours for music and 7 hours for video.

The 2012 iteration of the 4th generation iPod touch was a strategic move by Apple to offer a more affordable entry point into its iOS ecosystem. By offering 16GB and 32GB models at a lower price per gigabyte, it became an even more attractive proposition for those who didn't need a cellular connection. The hardware was identical to the 2011 model, which meant it still had the impressive Retina display, the A4 processor, and front and rear cameras. However, the rear camera's low-resolution still photos remained a significant drawback. By 2012, the 4th generation's hardware was beginning to show its age compared to the newer iPhone models, but its access to the vast App Store and its capabilities as a media player and gaming device still made it a compelling product. It was a smart and successful move by Apple to extend the life of a popular device, making it accessible to a wider audience.