The iPod Touch is generally similar to the
iPhone models prior to the iPhone X (excluding the second and third generation iPhone SE). Compared to a same-generation iPhone, an iPod Touch is thinner, lighter and less expensive, while lacking some hardware and software features.
Steve Jobs once referred to the iPod Touch as "training wheels for the iPhone".
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All iPod Touch models lack biometric authentication,
3D Touch,
NFC,
GPS, an earpiece speaker and a
noise-cancelling microphone. Depending on the generation, the iPod Touch may have a smaller or otherwise inferior display and camera(s). Newer models (5th, 6th, and 7th generation) lack the ambient light sensor that makes automatic brightness available. The first generation iPod Touch lacks a built-in speaker, and the first, second, and third generation iPod Touch lack a microphone, a camera, and a flash. Starting with the
4th generation iPod Touch, a camera and microphone were added, and starting with the
5th generation iPod Touch, an LED flash was added.
The iPod Touch has no cellular modem, and therefore cannot directly make phone calls on the
public switched telephone network. However, it can make VoIP calls such as
FaceTime, and send
iMessages to other iPhones,
Macs,
iPads, and iPod Touch models with an
Apple ID. The 5th generation iPod Touch and later can forward and receive standard phone calls through a separate iPhone (a feature introduced in iOS 8), with the Wi-Fi Calling feature. The two devices must be linked to the same Apple ID, and the iPhone's carrier must support this feature.
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