iPod touch vs. Zune HD

Microsoft's Zune HD is a worthy competitor to the iPod touch

Experts say the iPod touch is the best multimedia MP3 player available, and the new third-generation model has debuted to rave reviews. Donald Bell at CNET says the "third-generation iPod touch still leaves its competitors in the dust," and Tim Gideon concludes that the touch is the "best touch-screen portable media player you can buy." It's available in 8 GB (*Est. $190), 32 GB (*Est. $280 for 32 GB) and 64 GB (*Est. $380) models, and it has the same dimensions and 3.5-inch touch screen as its predecessor. Very little has changed on the 8 GB touch, but the larger models boast new features including voice-controlled music playback and faster processor speeds. Experts say the new model has faster gaming performance than the second-generation iPod touch. The iPod touch is also covered in our portable media player report, which focuses on devices that excel at video playback.

Numerous reviewers recommend the iPod touch, and it earns an Editors' Choice award from PCMag.com. Hugo Jobling at TrustedReviews.com recommends the new iPod touch and calls it "simply unrivalled." Reviewers love the slim design, easy-to-use interface and responsive touch screen, but it's the extra features, excellent web browser and plethora of apps that really put the iPod touch in a class of its own. The touch has never wowed experts when it comes to sound quality and that remains the case. Reviewers agree that sound quality is good enough for most people, but there are few options for users to manually tweak audio settings. Sound quality is much improved if you replace the included earbuds with a pair of high-quality headphones (see our reports on headphones and earphones for our top picks). Overall, few reviewers fault the iPod touch in this area; Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge.com says the iPod touch "remains an excellent audio player."

Unlike the new iPod nano, the iPod touch did not gain a video camera (or a camera at all), which disappoints some reviewers. Experts also recommend skipping the 8 GB touch, because it didn't receive some of the improvements noted on the 32 GB and 64 GB models. And if you already have the second-generation iPod touch, reviewers say there are few reasons to upgrade, particularly because many of the improvements, such as stereo Bluetooth, can be downloaded via the iPhone 3.0 software update (*Est. $10 for touch; free for iPhone).

Although many have tried, the iPod touch has had little competition from other manufacturers, but some say Microsoft may be ready to compete with its new Zune HD. Those who aren't already wedded to the iPod and iTunes store may be swayed by the Zune's brilliant OLED touch screen, sleek design and HD radio. Although the Microsoft Zune HD is getting very good initial reviews, experts say it's not going to dethrone the iPod anytime soon. Devin Coldewey at CrunchGear.com sums up reviewer opinion when he says, "the Zune HD is not an iPod-killer, but it's the only player out there that can go up against it and not be annihilated in the process."

This summer, Microsoft launched the Zune HD in 16 GB (*Est. $220) and 32 GB (*Est. $290 for 32 GB) capacities, simultaneously discontinuing all previous Zune models. The new Zune HD boasts a slim, sleek design and a 3.3-inch touch screen that reviewers describe as stunning -- Wired calls it the "best screen that's ever shipped on a portable media player." There is a general consensus in reviews that the Zune's touch screen surpasses that of the iPod touch for clarity and responsiveness. Video looks fantastic on the OLED display, but Donald Bell at CNET notes that it is hampered in direct sunlight and others note problems with reflections. Other features include an optional music subscription, Zune Pass (*Est. $15 a month), Wi-Fi capability and an HD radio that CNET calls "one of the best radios we've used on a portable media player."

In terms of audio quality, reviewers say the Microsoft Zune HD and iPod touch are pretty comparable. There are better-sounding MP3 players out there -- CNET likes the Sony X Series Walkman and Cowon S9 -- but sound quality should please most listeners. Several reviewers say the Zune's on-screen volume adjustment is annoying, and most users prefer the interface on the iPod touch.

When it comes to video, reviewers say the iPod touch has a slight leg up, although videos do look great on the Zune HD's display and it can output HD video with the optional Zune AV Dock (*Est. $90). The iPod touch is also superior for web browsing, as Microsoft's mobile version of Internet Explorer loads pages slowly and lacks some functionality. However, experts say the iPod touch really dominates the Zune HD when it comes to apps and games. Microsoft has yet to open up the Zune to third-party developers, and it has a paltry number of apps compared to the thousands available for the iPod touch.

Overall, reviewers say Microsoft finally has a worthy competitor for the iPod touch in the Zune HD. Nate Anderson at ArsTechnica.com calls it "one of the best portable music discovery experiences yet created," and Donald Bell at CNET says the new Zune HD "delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy." Although experts say the iPod touch is the best choice overall, the Microsoft Zune HD is an excellent alternative for those who don't want an Apple product.

Sony, Samsung and Cowon offer alternative touch-screen MP3 players

Another touch-screen contender is the new Sony X Series Walkman (*Est. $290), which is often compared to the iPod touch and Zune HD. Although most reviewers say it's not a serious contender against the iPod touch or Zune HD, experts say the Sony X Series has excellent sound quality -- it may be as close to audiophile-worthy as an MP3 player can get. Indeed, Jasmine France at CNET says the X Series is a "superb choice for audiophiles who want a luxury device," and Tim Gideon at PCMag.com says the "listening experience, frankly, kicks butt when compared with what you get on the iPod." The MP3 player includes an adjustable five-band equalizer and noise-canceling headphones that reviewers say are far superior to those included with the iPod. Other than sound quality though, the Sony X-Series can't compete with the iPod touch. Hugo Jobling at TrustedReviews.com says the Sony X-Series "offers much better audio fidelity, but it loses out in just about every other respect."

The Sony X Series Walkman comes in 16 GB (*Est. $290) and 32 GB (*Est. $380 for 32 GB) versions, and it boasts a 3-inch OLED touch screen, built-in Wi-Fi and integrated Slacker radio. In addition to sound quality, the Sony X Series also gets high marks for its touch screen and FM tuner. Dan Nosowitz at Gizmodo.com finds the touch screen "unbelievably responsive," and Jasmine France at CNET says the Sony has the "best touch-screen utilization next to the iPod touch." There are some downsides, though. Although sound quality is stellar, experts say that picky audiophiles will be disappointed that Sony didn't include support for less common file types. Other notable downsides include a web browser that is universally panned by reviewers -- Nosowitz calls it "completely unusable garbage" -- and a finicky on-screen keyboard that is too small. These complaints aside, numerous experts recommend the Sony X Series Walkman as an alternative to the iPod touch.

Most reviewers prefer the Sony X Series to the Samsung P3, another touch-screen MP3 player that boasts above-average sound quality. Reviewers say the Samsung P3 sounds excellent, and CNET says it "would not be a stretch to call this an audiophile's MP3 player." The Samsung P3 replaces the P2, and it has been updated with a slimmer design and 8 GB (*Est. $150 for 8 GB), 16 GB (*Est. $200) and 32 GB (*Est. $300) capacities. The Samsung P3 also includes a 3-inch touch screen, Bluetooth support, FM radio and a seven-band adjustable equalizer. It's no cheaper than the iPod touch, though it does boast more features than the similarly priced iPod Nano. The touch screen gets lower marks; reviewers at PCMag.com and AnythingButiPod.com think the Sony X Series has a faster and more responsive display. Overall, the Samsung P3 gets good reviews, but experts prefer the Zune HD or Sony X Series as iPod alternatives. In addition, the P3's availability is limited, and BestBuy.com is the only online retailer that currently has the 32 GB model.

The Cowon S9, an older touch-screen MP3 player, also earns a few recommendations, including one from a major consumer testing organization. The S9 comes in 16 GB (*Est. $200) and 32 GB (*Est. $260 for 32 GB) capacities. It includes a 3.3-inch touch screen, FM radio, built-in Bluetooth and voice recording. However, most experts say the Cowon S9 is a mixed bag -- excellent sound quality is coupled with a confusing interface and cheap-feeling plastic enclosure. Overall, reviews for the Cowon S9 can't match those of the iPod touch, Microsoft Zune HD or Sony X Series Walkman.