Apple has created a number of different iPods as well as different generations of iPods. To help you figure out which one you are sending us, iPod varieties are listed below.
Major Types of iPods & iPhones
iPods
iPod Touch
Comes in 16 GB or 8 GB, this iPod variant was released on September 5th, 2007 and is similar in size to the iPhone. This model features similar functionalities to iPhone (except for phone connectivity) and offers Wi-Fi web capabilities.
iPod Classic – 6th Generation
Comes in 160 GB or 80 GB, this iPod variant was released on September 5th, 2007 and is essentially a 6th generation standard iPod (or a third generation iPod Video). This model plays video, displays photos and of course plays music. Additionally, this iPod features a new user interface that incorporates parts of the Apple operating system. This model also has anodized casing in black and silver variants, and has a longer battery life than its predecessors.
iPod Video (with video playback) - 5th Generation
The 5th Generation iPod is usually described as the iPod or iPod video. This iPod features a screen size of 2.5 inches and smaller click wheel than earlier models. The headphone port is on the right, with the hold switch on the left. The iPod Video is thinner than the iPod photo or iPod G4.
There are two generations of this model. The first generation iPod Video is also known as the generation 5 iPod. The second generation is also known as generation 5.5, has a hard drive capacity of 80 GB or 30 GB, and includes a search feature. This model was released in late 2006.
You can differentiate the iPod (5th generation late 2006 or 5.5
generation) from the original iPod video (5th generation) by the last
three digits of the serial number. The iPod (5th generation late 2006
or 5.5 generation) serial number's last three digits will be one of
the following: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB,
WUC, and X3N. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod Video (30
GB Late 2006) serial number's last three digits are W9G.
iPod Photo - 4th Generation
This is the iPod with a Color Screen.
The current version of the iPod Photo is functionally similar to the 4G iPods, except it offers users the ability to display full color photos on their screen. The iPod Photo comes in 20 GB, 30 GB, 40 GB and 60 GB and U2 Special Editions.
iPod Click Wheel – 4th Generation
The 4th Generation iPod is described as the iPod with Click Wheel. Apple redesigned the wheel/button interface on the 4th Generation iPods to match the iPod Mini.
Instead of buttons above the scroll wheel (like the 3G iPods) or around the scroll wheel (1G and 2G iPods), Apple replaced the scroll wheel with a touch sensitive button, or "Click Wheel", replacing the four buttons with pressing the top, bottom, left, or right quadrants of the wheel.
This iPod has a grey scroll wheel distinguishing it from older iPods. Additionally, the iPod 4th Generation has a black and white (monochrome) screen.
The iPod Click Wheel comes in 20 GB, 40 GB and a U2 Special Edition.
iPod Dock Connector / Three Button – 3rd Generation
The 3rd Generation iPod features a central row of backlight touch-sensitive buttons and also includes a dock connector port base. This is the first iPod model to feature a long rectangular port on the bottom of the iPod that is now the connector/charging port in all iPod and iPhone models. This model is also the first iPod to feature smooth edges on the front face of the iPod.
The iPod Dock Connector / Three Button comes in 10 GB, 15 GB, 20 GB, 30 GB and 40 GB.
iPod Touch Sensitive Wheel – 2nd Generation
This iPod features a touch-sensitive wheel and a FireWire port with a cover. This iPod model has sharp edges on the front face.
The iPod Touch Sensitive Wheel comes in 10 GB and 20 GB.
iPod The First Model – 1st Generation
This iPod features a mechanical scrolling wheel and an open FireWire port on the top of the iPod. This iPod model has sharp edges on the front face.
The iPod First Model comes in 5 GB and 10 GB.
iPod Nano (with video playback) – 3rd Generation
Comes in 8 GB or 4 GB. This iPod variant was released on September 5th, 2007 and is the third generation of the iPod Nano line. This model plays video, displays photos and of course plays music. Additionally, this iPod features a new user interface that incorporates parts of the Apple operating system. This model also has anodized casing, a polished stainless steel back and comes in Product (Red), silver, light blue, pink, light green and black. This iPod features a brighter, more detailed and larger screen (2 in. diagonal) than previous Nano models. This iPod is 6.5 mm thin, 2.06 in. wide and 2.75 in. tall.
iPod Nano - 2nd Generation
Comes in 8 GB, 4 GB and 2 GB. This is the second generation of the iPod Nano line. It displays photos and plays music. Additionally, this iPod features an anodized aluminum full body casing with rounded sides and comes in Product (red), silver, green, pink, blue and black. This iPod is sold in a plastic casing.
iPod Nano - 1st Generation
Comes in 4 GB, 2 GB and 1 GB. This iPod variant is the first generation of the iPod Nano line. This model displays photos and plays music. Additionally, this iPod features plastic front and reflective metallic backing with edges and comes in black and white. This iPod is sold in cardboard / paper.
iPod Mini
This iPod model comes in two generations. The first generation does not show the storage capacity on the back or anywhere on the iPod, but the second generation shows the storage capacity on the lower back of the iPod. Both models feature a black and white (monochrome) screen and only play music. The iPod mini comes in blue, pink, silver, green and gold (gold discontinued in second generation). This iPod model is 3.6 in. tall, .5 in. thick and 2 in. wide and is housed in an anodized casing.
iPod Shuffle
The iPod shuffle is much smaller size then the other models and does not have a screen. 1st Generation iPod Shuffle is pictured on the left, 2nd Generation iPod shuffle is on the right.
iPhones
Comes in 8 GB or 4 GB (discontinued after September 5th, 2007), this is Apple’s first cell phone and is similar in size to the iPod Touch. The iPhone features similar functionalities to iPod Touch, but also includes phone connectivity. The iPhone includes a built in camera, a touch screen, real internet Wi-Fi, and many other functions.
