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New iPod Nano 4G Chromatic vs Zune 16GB

New iPod Nano 4G Chromatic vs Zune 16GB

By: Daniel Chubb | October 11, 2008 | 18 Comments

With the holiday season approaching fast and if you’re looking for a new portable media player for yourself or as a Christmas present, which should you choose?

Two of the most popular PMP’s are the Apple iPod Nano 4G Chromatic and the Zune 3.0 from Microsoft. Lets compare a few of the specs and see if we can help you choose.

Apple iPod Nano Chromatic Specs Include: up to 4 hours video playback, up to 24 hours music playback, weighs 1.3 ounces, 2-inch color LCD with LED backlight and a 320 by 240 pixel resolution, 8GB or 16GB flash options, 3.5-mm headphone jack, Shake to shuffle, built-in accelerometer, Genius feature and a lot more.

Microsoft Zune 3.0 Specs Include: 16GB flash drive, device will identify music playing on built-in FM Radio and can download, play games on your Zune, audiobooks, clock, Social software, Wi-Fi, 1.8-inch color LCD with a 320×240 pixel display resolution, and more.

What’s your favorite, the 16GB Zune or 16GB iPod Nano Chromatic?

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  • temoc

    i dont know which one to buy.???
    if i buyy one of those 2. wihtout warranty which one will last more??

  • element1017

    the ipod will last allot longer with a thicker screen and no hardrive

  • Jeff

    I have no idea where element got his answer from. The 16gb Zune is flash, just like the Nano. I don’t know if the screen is thicker or not, but it won’t affect the lifespan in really any way.

    The Zune has better sound quality, but if you’re an average user, you won’t care. If you’re not much of a discerning listener, I’d just go for the iPod since it is a LOOKER.

    I personally prefer the Zune.

  • Nathan

    Well, i researched on the ipod nano 4th generation all over the web and had noticed a common complaint on the accelerometer having shuffling the music while in your pocket. Also the battery life of the nano is not as long as the zune’s. Ipod may be thinner but it’s battery life like always is not very good. I give nano 4th gen a 7/10.
    Zune is very good but software 3.0 has a tendency to glitch the zune causing it to freeze. Recently Zune made software 3.1 to patch this error and the zune 16gb or other zune’s are much better with 3 new games; space invader, sudoku, and checkers. Space invader is especially good. Zune gets a 8/10.

  • ELEMENT

    dude ipod is more famous

  • anon

    well as to the ipod changing songs in your pocket, first of all that is a lie, it takes a vigorous shake of the player to change a song, secondly, the feature can be TURNED OFF, and thirdly WHY DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR POCKET WITH THE HOLD BUTTON OFF? its only going to change the volume unless you put it on hold anyway so it’s just idiots making these accusations. I can’t speak to the zune’s sound quality, but I can say to jeff that if you think the sound quality of the ipod is low then maybe your ipod is broken because the sound on my is very crisp and clear and you can change the sound type to the genre of music you’re playing you know that right? I don’t know why everyone bases their argument on lies.

  • bob

    can u shut of the shuffle on the i pod chromatic

  • what the hell bob?

    DUDE!! yes u can!!!
    Didn’t u read the post above yours??

  • Karl

    The iPod is a looker indeed, and it’s my understanding that ipod can play the most types of audio files. If you want audio and looks you get the ipod, everyone knows this.
    However, if you like wireless interaction with other devices, a more flashy display, and the capability to hold about twice the video on your player or you just would rather not get an iPod because of the fact that everyone has one then Zune is the next and best runner up.
    I’m loving the innovation with apple but I think they’re heading in the wrong direction, I would personally be embarrased being caught vigorously shaking my mp3 player to get it to shuffle, I see the whole thing as a gimmick and highly unnecessary but also cool in the fact that shaking it around shuffles the music somehow makes sense, and it would impress a few people but, even though I wouldn’t know, I could imagine myself tiring of the option and turning it off most of the time.

    I own a Zune so of couse I might portray it as the better but I personally like the wireless capablites and have actually used it, mostly for pictures, and I’m not happy with the song transfer (only being able to listen to it 3 times because you can’t resend songs you’ve sent before unless you clear your zune mail). You can also get special designs on your zune with like a sentence or to if you wish on the back, the default is “Hello from Seattle”. Idk it’s just cool, call me a fanboy if you will

  • sher_amf

    i have read some reviews.. and i would like to ask a couple of questions

    1. is the sound quality the same as other ipods?
    2. how long is the battery life when in use?
    3. can you create playlist? can you edit playlist?
    for example my current playlist
    a. song a
    b. song b

    and i want to insert song C in between song a and song b is that possible?

    4. what is the podcast feature?
    5. i saw that there are games? can install new games?
    6. is it true i need itunes8 to transfer songs? or cany i use other freewares? since itunes8 require big requirement for pc
    7. for example im in a current playlist and i browse for a specific song outside the playlist.. and select it.. when i press next what song would play? will it play according to the alphabetical order of the song list?

  • Jack

    i wouldnt buy ipod cuz its from apple and we should all now that apple sucks. so zune is better.

  • billybob tiddelywink

    To Nathan:

    Put it on lock. :p

  • billybob tiddelywink

    To anon:

    You rock dude.

  • pet rock

    i got an ipod chromatic green. I love it. I also don’t like microsoft because i sent in an xbox accessory that cost me100 dollars and they still havent repaired it. that was 3 MONTHS AGO.

  • Chris

    I would personaly buy the ipod (which i am- in silver). Because, simply an ipod is an ipod, its like J.C.B, john deere, or ferrari

  • Anthony is going the extra mile for you

    If you have to get a Zune (underground favorite)then get the 8 or 16 gig because the interface looks better and the zune pad operates smoothly. the 120 zune looks like an imitation of the smaller ones. When youre just into music and youre & outtatha house the 8 and 16 gigs are perfectly portable. the 120 gig zune is not that great .. yeah it has a big screen but its not as well rounded as the ipod 120 for the same price(with much better battery life, an eq that can match zune, and genius playlist!). The irony of the zune pad is perpetual lack of precision as your music and video library grows larger.
    No one wants to flick 40 times to get Spoon. From “First hand” I know the clickwheel is better under pressure.

    Welter weight Champion is the Zune 16gig!

    Heavy weight Champion is still the Ipod classic!

  • buttah

    just wondering what to buy is the ipod or the zune better? i need one thats durable cause i skate, so which one is better in that aspect?
    one more stupid question… can you take the zune on a plane? i heard once that the wifi and radio might interfere with the planes systems (that could put a hole in your day). if anyone has a clue could you post it up thanks

  • Steve

    I would go with an iPod nano (4g) because, to be honest, I treat mine like crap and it is still in great shape. Hardly a scratch on it and i’ve dropped it a million times. I also spilled orange juice on it and it still works fine ( I was sure that that would be the end of it).

    I do have to say that the iPod Touch is the ultimate champion. I got it soon after I got my nano, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mp3 player/web browser/everything else. If you have a little extra money, definitely go for the touch.