Print this article | E-mail this article | Comment on this article

New iPhone, iPod Touch models have higher capacity

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

February 5, 2008, 11:22 AM

Apple continued its trend towards flash memory on Tuesday, announcing two new models of both the iPhone and iPod Touch with additional capacity.

Both new models will be available immediately: a 16 GB model of the iPhone for $499 and a 32 GB iPod Touch, also for $499. With the new Touch, it marks the first time a flash-based iPod exceeds the hard-drive models in terms of capacity.

NAND flash has become the storage format of choice for music players as of late. However, with flash memory at higher capacities still rather pricey, its unlikely that these new higher capacity players will see heavy sales.

For example, with the 32 GB Touch at $499, a HDD-based iPod could be bought with 30 GB capacity at $249. But price, in some cases has proven to not be a deterrent -- some consumers seem to prefer the generally smaller size and longer battery life that flash-based players provide.

The previous models of both devices will remain at the same price, Apple said. The 8 GB Touch and iPhone retail for $299 and $399 respectively, and the 16 GB Touch for $399 USD.

Add a Comment (24 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

By lileoj

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 8:58 AM

This talk is all fine and dandy but I care little for these abilities I want LEGIT installable apps! WHEN? =)

Score: 0

By jshurst

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 10:33 AM

Agreed (SDK is supposedly coming out this month). That and drag and drop songs from iTunes. Why in the world do I have to sync my playlist!?

Score: 0

By foxfyre

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 8:20 AM

This is fascinating.
On the one hand you get to listen to the early adopter fanboys be amazed that Apple is quickly moving new technology into the models (which should come as no surprise - especially to fanboys), and

We get to listen to the same head up their @ss detractors who claim not to care about anything Apple worry about what Apple is doing and complain that new technology is being implemented at a quick rate.

If you are an early adopter, you get what you got. No surprises.

And as for the 'we hate anything Apple' fanboys; who the F@#$ cares what you don't like. Go buy your brown Zunes and be amazed.

What is interesting is how quickly Apple is filtering new technology into the marketplace - albeit most of the newer SS memory is prohibitively expensive. It will be interesting to see how fast the prices for SS memory will drop.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 10:16 AM

You almost had a intelligent post until ONCE AGAIN you bring up the Brown Zune, not ONE person brought it up in here, only ten year olds go on and on about the brown joke.

Brown sold well and was a big hit with the more business sided individual as brown is a popular color in the working place.

Aside from that I agree but solid state mp3 players have been around quite a long time now and prices still are about the same, now the bigger capacity, is of course going to be more expensive but Apple still doesn't have the market to cause all ssd to fall.

I think the point most are making is with an mp3 player there really isn't that much of a difference between a ssd and a hdd for playing music and such. Hence why would you pay $500 for only 32 Gb when you can get a hdd based one that is 160 Gb - now of course if you want your mp3 as a mobile device as well, then this may be of use but if you are only using it for videos, mp3s and pictures a regular hdd based one will suffice.

Also most of the people complaining are saying the price not that its an apple.

Score: 0

By Briantist

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 5:15 AM

Under Apple, no-one is to know about Moore's Law. It's a secret!

What other explanation is there for these "announcements"?

Score: 0

By skimore

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 6:02 PM

I guess next month the iPhone 32G will come out.. (Oh wait did I leak something..) The only think the apples lack is removable memory. Just add a SD slot and let people have a future(upgrade path) with these devices.. But I guess that would be the same as having a removable battery..

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 11:42 PM

What don't you understand? They don't want you to upgrade. Upgrade = money into other ppl's pocket. They want to you spend money on their products only. So no upgrade. No removable parts.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 1:11 AM

...and no customers with common sense.

Score: 0

By Hellcat_M

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 4:48 PM

I'd gladly take a little more bulk from a hard drive based Iphone to get more storage space. 16 BG isn't even enough. I'll stick with my 160 Ipod classic. Its just not worth getting new technology at an inflated price.

Score: 0

By gatonegrosky

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 4:30 PM

i feel violated :( i bought the 16 gigs ipod touch on sept :(

Score: 0

By il-loostya

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 8:53 PM

You're ok for the time being... as the prices of the older models are the same... you should be able to sell it for close to what you paid....

Score: 0

By GS5

edited Feb 5, 2008 - 2:58 PM

"For example, with the 32 GB Touch at $499, a HDD-based iPod could be bought with 30 GB capacity at $249"

That is such bull$hit they only have 80GB and 160GB HDD iPod Classic right now and it's $249 and $349.

But I would be impressed with a 120 GB or 160GB flash iPod. Until then $499 for a 32GB iPod is just ridicules. Especially when I can get a 160GB iPod for $349.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

edited Feb 5, 2008 - 3:17 PM

How much are you willing to pay for that 128GB flash memory? I hope you have very deep pockets, as it is going to run in the thousands.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 5:58 PM

You should wash your hands after you blow your nose.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 3:39 PM

Uh...it probably went over your head...but that was, actually, his point...

I'm sure you're still sitting there scratching your head...you should just stick to playing the Wii and let the grown ups talk.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 6:08 PM

And how do you know his/her point? That is not how it reads to me.

Doesn't Betanews forbid personal attacks?

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 9:15 AM

"That is not how it reads to me."

LOL...why am I not surprised...

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 9:48 AM

your trollsauce is weak

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Feb 6, 2008 - 10:18 AM

Thats the best you got? It seems pretty self explanatory that was the point he was making that why would I buy an mp3 player device that has 5 times less store for twice the price?

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 12:59 PM

We will have to listen to the early adopters b**** about the new models and how they got screwed. Again. Just like the price drop a month or two after the launch.

I'll take a NuviPhone when it arrives and use another device for MP3 playback, unless they decide to include it and put in an FM modulator just like thier portable GPS's have.

Score: 0

By Bogunch

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 12:46 PM

...and the sound you just heard was the collective Apple fanboy base soiling their shorts!

Score: 0

By Phutbwah

edited Feb 5, 2008 - 12:45 PM

Apple stopped selling the HDD-based 30Gb iPod a while back. Today, $249 will buy you an 80Gb iPod Classic.

Score: 0

By WeezulDK

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 12:15 PM

Not enough capacity at too high a price.

Introduce a 60 gig iPod Touch with a hard disk at a reasonable price and maybe it'll be worth buying.

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Feb 5, 2008 - 12:02 PM

how about 32GB and 64GB?

Score: 0

Jul 18 - 6:18 PM ET Has Google's relentless growth finally stopped?

Jul 18 - 5:48 PM ET IBM software sales help spur 'powerful' $26.8 B quarter

Jul 18 - 5:17 PM ET Zumobi widgets slide on over to BlackBerry

Jul 18 - 5:00 PM ET One admin's missing password leaves San Francisco in a lockdown state

Jul 18 - 4:15 PM ET Nokia readies touch smartphones for release this year

Jul 18 - 4:11 PM ET Another rocky quarter for AMD: More losses, executive shuffle

Jul 18 - 4:06 PM ET Slowing PC market, another online reinvestment ahead for Microsoft

Jul 18 - 3:01 PM ET Rural wireless carriers seek the return of spectrum caps

Jul 18 - 2:34 PM ET Sony to offer 'Graphic Splash' for select Vaio FW notebooks

Jul 18 - 1:01 PM ET What console war? Latest NPD numbers claim everyone wins