Skip to Content

TouchArcade: Second-generation iPod touch faster than iPhone

TouchArcade interviewed Handheld Games Corp's Thomas Fessler, who noted an interesting bit of the company's research: Second-generation iPod touch devices are significantly faster than their predecessors when it comes to 3D rendering.

In fact, it's faster than both iPhone models as well. In its tests, the iPhone 3G ranked second, the original iPhone third, and the first-generation iPod touch lagged behind in fourth. Fessler is paraphrased in the interview, even suggesting he would not recommend anyone interested in gaming to buy a used first-generation iPod touch.

The primary difference is a faster processor: The second-generation iPod touch has a 532 MHz processor. The iPhone, iPhone 3G, and first-generation iPod touch all have 412 MHz processors.

Fessler also speculates in the interview that the GPU has also been improved, but has no evidence to support that claim. These performance differences may also explain why certain apps only run on second-generation iPod touch devices.



Categories

iPhone iPod touch

TouchArcade interviewed Handheld Games Corp's Thomas Fessler, who noted an interesting bit of the company's research: Second-generation...
 

Add a Comment

*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

10 Comments

Filter by:
Corvillus

I would think that both have the same CPU in them. The iPhone is probably just underclocked more, likely because it's a bigger power hog, and battery life is more of a necessity on the phone. I would expect that they probably both do some kind of speed stepping (or at least have the ability to), so that when you're playing a game or something that needs the extra speed, it can clock up.

November 29 2008 at 3:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jon Freed

Just another reason I plunked down all my dough on a second gen touch. (Although, when you plug in it to the mac, the sound is slightly different, Yeah, that too.)

November 25 2008 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EMoShunz

i'm still a hold out for the touch, guess i'm lucky on that 'cause i'd be a little upset at this news otherwise if i bought the first touch.

either my boss is going to cave to his desires and switch the company to rogers/iphone3g (not likely) or i will buy a touch when:
1. it has gps (mandatory)
2. it has bluetooth (manditory), stereo would be nice.

i have a 8gb gen 3 nano and a nintendo ds lite i'm ready to pass down to the kids when i buy my 64gb touch :P

November 25 2008 at 9:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to EMoShunz's comment
Patriks7

" i will buy a touch when:
1. it has gps (mandatory)
2. it has bluetooth (manditory), stereo would be nice."

Well looks like you will be without an iPod Touch then..

November 25 2008 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EMoShunz

yup. for 9 months anyway.

November 25 2008 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris Aubeck

http://www.hormelfoods.com/brands/spam/

no

November 25 2008 at 5:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan Trevisol

Well that sucks.

Must. . . not . . . resent . . . digital . . . mistress . . .

November 24 2008 at 8:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
norbi

Hello
Please see this test speed devices with iPhone OS
http://www.ipod.info.pl/index.php/test-szybkosci-urzadzen-z-systemem-iphone-os/

November 24 2008 at 5:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eyefone4949

Isn't the 1st gen iPhone under-clocked from 620 MHz to 412 MHz???
Maybe this is part of the reason??
Also, I've been trying to find a way to get my iPhone's processor running faster...Is it still over-clocking if it's under-clocked to begin with? lol

November 24 2008 at 4:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to eyefone4949's comment
mrsteveman1

It's underclocked for a reason.

2nd gen touch has a new processor and probably is more efficient per clock, so same or better power use and heat at a faster clock would explain the difference

November 24 2008 at 5:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Hot Apps on TUAW

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.