IPod Touch (3rd generation)

iPod Touch

A black iPod touch (3rd generation)
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Product family	iPod
Type	Mobile device
Release date	September 9, 2009 (2009-09-09)
Discontinued	September 1, 2010;15 years ago (2010-09-01)
Operating system	Original: iPhone OS 3.1 Last: iOS 5.1.1, released May 7, 2012 (2012-05-07) iOS 6.0 (unofficial) [1]
System on a chip	S5L8922
CPU	ARMv7-A32 Samsung S5L8922 600 MHz
Memory	256  MB DRAM [2]
Storage	32 or 64  GB flash memory [2]
Display	3.5 in (89 mm) diagonal (3:2 aspect ratio), multi-touch display, LED backlit TN TFT LCD, 480×320  px at 163  PPI 200:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500  cd/m2 max. brightness (typical), Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front [2]
Graphics	PowerVR SGX535 GPU
Input	Multi-touch touchscreen display Volume buttons Built-in speaker Voice control 3-axis Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 30-pin dock connector
Online services	App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, iCloud, MobileMe
Dimensions	110 mm (4.3 in) H 61.8 mm (2.43 in) W 8.5 mm (0.33 in) D [2]
Weight	115 g (4.1 oz) [2]
Predecessor	iPod Touch (2nd generation)
Successor	iPod Touch (4th generation)
Related	iPhone 3GS

The back of the iPod touch 3rd-generation (32GB). Model A1318

The third-generation iPod Touch (marketed as "the new iPod Touch" and commonly referred to as the iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 3, or iPod 3) is a multi-touch mobile device developed and sold by Apple Inc. It features a touchscreen-based user interface, and serves as the direct successor to the second-generation iPod Touch.

History

The 3rd-generation iPod Touch was announced alongside the revised version of the 2nd-generation iPod Touch (8 GB MC model) and was initially available only in 32 GB and 64 GB models. ^[3]

The iPod touch 3rd generation (32 GB and 64 GB) shares the same specs as the iPhone 3GS and came with a range of new features that weren't offered in previous models, such as voice control (which can only be accessible using a remote control mic), accessibility, and a faster processor. Performance was bumped up from 128 MB to 256 MB of RAM, and graphics were upgraded to the new OpenGL ES 2.0 for a better gaming experience. ^[4]

On September 9, 2009, Apple introduced a technically modified, externally unchanged iPod Touch and sold it under the name "iPod Touch late 2009." ^[5]

Due to the quiet unveiling and confusion, some resellers later sold and mistitled the 8 GB iPod Touch (2nd generation) as the iPod Touch (3rd generation), but this error was neither done nor condoned by Apple. ^{[6] [7]} Just like the iPod Touch (2nd generation), the 8 GB "iPod Touch (2nd generation)" (late 2009 models) was only supported up to iOS 4.2.1, whereas the 32 GB and 64 GB (3rd generation) iPod Touches were supported all the way up to iOS 5.1.1. ^{[7] [8]}

Features

Software

Main articles: iOS, iPhone OS 3, iOS 4, and iOS 5

Further information: iOS version history

The iPod Touch 3rd generation, which originally shipped with iPhone OS 3, also fully supports iOS 4 and runs iOS 5; however, it does not support Siri. The last version supported on this device was iOS 5.1.1, which was released on May 7, 2012. Unlike the iPhone 3GS, it did not get the iOS 6 update, likely due to not having a camera despite sharing similar specs.

In 2025, the iOS 6 firmware was unofficially ported to the iPod Touch 3rd generation by a developer using modified firmware from the iPhone 3GS. ^[9]

Reception

On launch, the 3rd generation iPod touch was generally praised for its technical features, but was believed by some reviewers to not differ significantly from the previous generation iPod touch. ^{[10] [11]}

References

1. "iPod touch 3 Gets Unofficial iOS 6 support". 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
2. "iPod Touch 3rd generation Specs". PhoneArena. 28 May 2020.
3. "iPod touch 3rd Gen/32 & 64 GB 32 GB, 64 GB Specs (A1318, MC008LL/A*, 2310, iPod3,1): EveryiPod.com". everymac.com. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
4. Bell, Donald (September 12, 2009). "Apple iPod Touch (third generation review: Apple iPod Touch (third generation". CNET. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
5. "Apple Introduces New iPod touch Lineup". Apple Newsroom. 9 September 2009.
6. "Is there such thing as a 3rd generation 8GB iPod touch?". Ask Different. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
7. "Differences Between iPod touch 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen 2009: EveryiPod.com". everymac.com. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
8. "iPod touch 3rd Gen/32 & 64 GB 32 GB, 64 GB Specs (A1318, MC008LL/A*, 2310, iPod3,1): EveryiPod.com". everymac.com. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
9. https://github.com/NyanSatan/SundanceInH2A
10. Bell, Donald. "Apple iPod Touch third generation review: Apple iPod Touch third generation". CNET. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
11. "Apple iPod touch (3rd Generation)". PCMag UK. 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2024-05-03.