iPods Are Officially Discontinued. Try This Instead.

Released in 2001, iPods were an iconic product that propelled Apple to the top of the tech stratosphere. But now, just over 20 years later, the company has stated they’re officially pulling the plug and have stopped production.

In early May 2022, Apple announced “it had phased out production of its iPod Touch, bringing an end to a two-decade run of a product line that inspired the creation of the iPhone and helped turn Silicon Valley into the epicenter of global capitalism,” Baton Rouge Business Report writes.

This marks the end of an era. And the final line of iPod, the iPod touch 7th generation, will only be available for a short time. Once they’re sold, that’s a wrap on the iPod.

“The declining sales of the iPod touch and the rising popularity of other Apple products probably pushed the company to pull the plug on the iPod,” explains iPhone writer Hamlin Rozario of Make Use Of. The 7th generation iPod touch is a tough sell because it only has the processing capabilities of the iPhone 8 series from 2016. Also, its small size and four-inch screen mean that the device isn’t versatile. Instead, it’s mainly used for just listening to music.

In short, the iPod is outdated and doesn’t keep up with newer Apple products. Although it played a vital role in advancing smartphone technology to where it’s at today, there’s simply not enough demand to warrant keeping it around moving forward. So it’s understandable why Apple has stopped iPod production.

Outside of users with a nostalgia for the product, there’s no real market for it.

If you’re bummed about the news and want something similar with a focus on music, you’re in luck. There are several high-quality alternatives that deliver a great experience. Here are our top three picks.

This is an ultra-compact, lightweight touchscreen music player with a ton of great features. It has:

The HiBy Pro Saber retails for $209.

When many people hear “Walkman,” they envision an old-school cassette player like something from the 90s. This iPod alternative, however, is nothing like that. Instead, it’s a sleek, compact device with everything you need for an epic listening experience.

Notable features include:

And with a price point of $349.99, it’s within many peoples’ budgets.

Because of the high retail price of $1,799.99, this Fiio product, admittedly, isn’t the iPod alternative for everyone. But if you’re looking for an amazing music player with mind-boggling capabilities and don’t mind paying for it, it’s definitely something to consider.

The Fiio M17 Portable Desktop-Class Player offers:

This premium option offers additional features that make it worth considering.

Unfortunately, iPods and MP3 players are vulnerable to defects, mechanical failures, and other issues. However, since most manufacturers’ warranties end after just one year, it’s important to have ongoing coverage if something goes wrong after that.

Upsie offers extended warranties for portable audio devices and covers damage from drops and liquid spills, defects, and failures. In addition, Upsie costs up to 70% less than in-store offers, ensuring that customers get premium protection at a better price. Customers can also make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device. Whenever you need to make a claim, you can do so 24/7 and speak with a knowledgeable claims representative.

Upsie also offers extended warranty coverage for products like AirPods, smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.