Please note that the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch 4th Gen all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with current iOS support details and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling any of these devices on the used market.
There are a number of significant differences between the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models themselves -- specifically the iPhone 4 (GSM), iPhone 4 (GSM, Revision A), iPhone 4 (CDMA), and iPhone 4S -- as well as more modest differences between the 2010, 2011, and 2012 iPod touch 4th Generation models.
Based on e-mails from EveryiPhone.com readers, just about everyone understands that the iPod touch 4th Gen models are more-or-less a "phone-less" version of the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. Accordingly, the iPod touch 4th Gen lacks mobile phone and cellular data capabilities, but otherwise has a fair amount in common with the iPhone 4.
However, there are a number other design, capability and technical differences -- not to mention major iOS support differences -- that are important to understand to ensure that one of these devices will meet your needs and expectations.
External Differences
If it wasn't for the speaker "slit" above the display on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S it would be easy to mistake the iPod touch 4th Gen for either model from the front without paying close attention. All three devices have a 960x640 (326 ppi) display, but the iPod touch 4th Gen display is noticeably darker when next to either of the iPhone models in person.
Additionally, these iPhone and iPod touch models are instantly distinguishable from the side and back.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 4 - Left, iPod touch 4th Gen - Right)
The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models all use the same basic stainless steel design with a black or white glass front and back as well as a "metal band" that includes the antennas and wraps around the sides of each phone.
The iPod touch 4th Gen models also have a black or white glass front (black only for the 2010 line), but instead of flat sides and a flat glass back, they have a chromed metal back with quickly tapering sides. The iPod touch 4th Gen is about 25% thinner than the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, which already is significant, but the tapered design makes it "feel" much, much thinner.
Camera Differences
The iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch 4th Gen all have dual cameras. All have a front-mounted VGA quality "FaceTime" camera, as well, but the quality of the rear camera is different.
Specifically, the iPod touch 4th Gen has a 720p, 0.7 megapixel camera; the iPhone 4 models have a 720p, 5 megapixel camera; and the iPhone 4S has a 1080p, 8 megapixel camera. All can shoot video as well as stills.
Identification Differences
The easiest way to externally identify the iPhone 4 models and the iPhone 4S is by the Model Number listed in small type on the back of the phone. The iPod touch 4th Gen models also can be collectively identified by Model Number, but it can be hard to read on the chromed back, particularly if the device has been scratched up.
Nevertheless, all iPod touch 4th Gen devices share model number A1367. The GSM iPhone 4 models are A1332, the CDMA iPhone 4 is A1349, the global iPhone 4S is A1387, and the China-only iPhone 4S is A1431.
If the iPhone or iPod touch will boot, it may be even easier to lookup any of these models by Order Number with Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature or the EveryMac app (available for iOS 5 or later and Android). Apple refers to the order number as "Model" in software. To find the "Model" select the "Settings" app and then click General > About > and scroll until the field is visible.
Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup and the EveryMac app also can identify these devices by EMC Number and their Serial Numbers.
Technical Differences
Internally, the iPhone 4S is considerably more powerful than the iPhone 4 or the iPod touch 4th Gen.
First, the iPod touch 4th Gen has 256 MB of RAM whereas the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S both have 512 MB of RAM. The iPod touch 4th Gen and iPhone 4 both have a single core Apple A4 processor, but the iPhone 4S, on the other hand, has a significantly faster dual-core Apple A5 processor.
All three devices support 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, but only the 2.4 GHz frequency of 802.11n. The iPod touch 4th Gen and iPhone 4 both support Bluetooth 2.1+EDR whereas the iPhone 4S supports Bluetooth 4.0. Finally, the iPhone 4 supports GPS, the iPhone 4S supports GPS and GLONASS (the former Soviet counterpart to GPS), and the iPod touch 4th Gen supports neither.
iOS Support Differences
iOS support is a major point of differentiation between the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch 4th Gen.
The iPhone 4 fully supports iOS 5, but only partially supports iOS 6 and iOS 7. The iPhone 4S fully supports iOS 5 and iOS 6, but only partially supports iOS 7, iOS 8, and iOS 9.
The iPod touch 4th Gen only partially supports iOS 6 and does not support iOS 7 or later versions of the iOS at all. Based on e-mail received, some readers were quite upset that iOS 7 did not support the iPod touch 4th Gen models as they were sold as new a mere eleven days before iOS 7 was announced.
It would be easy to assume that Apple made this decision to limit the lifespan of the cheaper iPod touch 4th Gen, but the company also may feel that the operating system simply does not perform acceptably with 256 MB of RAM. It is worth noting that some have found the iPhone 4 to be too slow running iOS 7, and certainly the iPod touch 4th Gen would have been much, much slower if it were to run iOS 7. Likewise, the iPhone 4S is a bit slower running iOS 8 than iOS 7 and even slower running iOS 9.
Of course, a lack of support for iOS 7 does not mean that the iPod touch 4th Gen no longer works, but current app support is basically non-existent for iOS 6 and becoming less and less common for iOS 7, as well.
Comparison Chart
For your convenience, the main differences between the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch 4th Gen are summarized below:
| 
iPhone 4 | 
iPhone 4S | 
iPod touch 4th Gen |
|---|
| Display: |
960x640 (326 ppi) |
960x640 (326 ppi) |
960x640 (326 ppi) |
|---|
| Processor: |
Apple A4 |
Apple A5 |
Apple A4 |
|---|
| Cores: |
Single Core |
Dual Cores |
Single Core |
|---|
| Storage Options: |
8, 16, 32 GB |
16, 32, 64 GB |
8, 16, 32, 64 GB |
|---|
| RAM: |
512 MB |
512 MB |
256 MB |
|---|
| GSM/EDGE: |
Yes/No |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| UMTS: |
Yes/No |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| HSDPA: |
Yes (7.2 Mbps)/No |
Yes (14.4 Mbps) |
No |
|---|
| HSUPA: |
Yes/No |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| EV-DO: |
No/Yes |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| 4G/LTE: |
No |
No |
No |
|---|
| Bluetooth: |
2.1+EDR |
4.0 |
2.1+EDR |
|---|
| GPS: |
GPS |
GPS/GLONASS |
None |
|---|
| 802.11n: |
2.4 GHz |
2.4 GHz |
2.4 GHz |
|---|
| Talk Time (3G): |
7 Hours |
8 Hours |
N/A |
|---|
| Talk Time (2G): |
14 Hours/No |
14 Hours |
N/A |
|---|
| Battery (Web - 3G): |
6 Hours |
6 Hours |
N/A |
|---|
| Battery (Wi-Fi): |
10 Hours |
9 Hours |
10 Hours |
|---|
| Battery (Music): |
40 Hours |
40 Hours |
40 Hours |
|---|
| Battery (Video): |
10 Hours |
10 Hours |
7 Hours |
|---|
| SIM Card: |
Micro/None |
Micro |
None |
|---|
| Connector: |
Dock (30-Pin) |
Dock (30-Pin) |
Dock (30-Pin) |
|---|
| Headphone Jack: |
Top-Mounted |
Top-Mounted |
Bottom-Mounted |
|---|
| Original OS: |
iOS 4.0/4.3 |
iOS 5 |
iOS 4.1/5.0/5.1 |
|---|
| Maximum OS: |
iOS 7 (Partial) |
iOS 9 (Basic) |
iOS 6 (Partial) |
|---|
| Siri Support: |
No |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| Still Camera: |
5 Megapixels |
8 Megapixels |
0.7 Megapixels |
|---|
| Video Camera: |
720p |
1080p |
720p |
|---|
| FaceTime Camera: |
VGA |
VGA |
VGA |
|---|
| Front Material: |
Glass |
Glass |
Glass |
|---|
| Back Material: |
Glass (Flat) |
Glass (Flat) |
Steel (Curved) |
|---|
| Dimensions: |
4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37* |
4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37* |
4.3 x 2.4 x 0.33* |
|---|
| Weight: |
4.8 oz. (137 g) |
4.9 oz. (140 g) |
3.56 oz. (101 g) |
|---|
| Model No: |
A1332/A1349 |
A1387/A1431 |
A1367 |
|---|
| Price (Intro): |
US$199
US$299† |
US$199
US$299† |
US$229
US$299
US$399†† |
|---|
* In inches, height x width x depth.
† These original prices are for the iPhone models on AT&T with a two-year contract in the US. Pricing on other carriers, such as T-Mobile, is different. Unlocked and contract free iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models were available at a premium.
†† The first 2010 iPod touch 4th Gen models -- with 8 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB of storage -- originally sold for US$229, US$299, and US$399, respectively. The 2011 iPod touch 4th Gen models, with the same capacity, sold for US$199, US$299, and US$399. Finally, the 2012 iPod touch 4th Gen models -- with 16 GB or 32 GB of storage -- sold for US$199 and US$249.
For intro pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each device as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of Everyi.com.
iPhone & iPod touch Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase a used iPod touch or iPhone. However, purchasing from a quality company with extensive Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
Site sponsor Evertek has extensive inventory of used iPhone and used iPod touch models at bargain prices for individuals. Evertek also ships bulk orders at wholesale prices worldwide.
Site sponsor GoRoostr can buy your older iPhone. GoRoostr has an A+ rating with the BBB, offers an instant price quote, free and insured FedEx shipping, and provides same day payouts 95% of the time.
Please additionally see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPod touch or iPhone to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
Also see:
- What are all the differences between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S?
- What are all the differences between the iPhone 5 and the iPod touch 5th Gen?
- What are all the differences between the iPod touch 4th Generation (A1367) and the iPod touch 5th Generation (A1421/A1509)?
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