Apple’s iPod brand may be a bit passé at this point, but the iPod Touch looks like it will make a promising comeback. With Apple Arcade on the way later this year, Apple emphasized that this new iPod Touch (per their website) will run games better than previous models thanks to the A10 Fusion chip. Along with that, this iPod Touch also supports augmented reality experiences.
It’s been 2015 since the last model of the iPod Touch came out in stores, and back then, the device was considered by consumers to be a “starter” or “entry” iPhone. That still appears to be the case, as the iPod Touch is comparatively affordable than modern iPhones. It starts at $199 USD for the 32 GB model, with the 128 GB and 256 GB models running at $299 USD and $399 USD, respectively.
The A10 Fusion chip was first introduced in 2016, and Apple utilized it for the iPhone 7 and the sixth generation 2018 iPad. It isn’t exactly the highest end chip that Apple currently has for the company’s devices, but it should do the trick to run the “100 new and exclusive games” on Apple Arcade. According to Apple, the new iPod Touch “brings three times faster graphics,” which I assume is compared to the 2015 model.
Other than all of the aforementioned features, other talking points include the inclusion of Group FaceTime capabilities, along with the usual access of Apple Music. We still have yet to hear additional details about Apple Arcade, however, but the subscription-based platform is pulling names like Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy), Ken Wong, and Will Wright (The Sims). The service will be available not just on iOS, but macOS and tvOS.
With the new iPod Touch and the eventual arrival of Apple Arcade, with its emphasis on exclusive content and offline gameplay, Apple appears to be slightly more serious about the video game business. While Apple wasn’t behind the apparently contentious Steam Link app, its recent release on iOS and tvOS devices provides yet another option for players to utilize Apple products for their gaming content.
Hopefully, Apple will unveil some more Apple Arcade details at their next WWDC event, which will take place on June 3 to 7. In the meantime, why not look back at our feature on which video game characters would probably own and wear AirPods?
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