Apple isn’t big on the idea of having budget versions of its own hardware, so it usually keeps a few older models kicking around for consumers who want a cheaper way to get into the brand. Just like it kept the iPhone 3GS around when it announced the iPhone 4S, it also kept the older, 4th-gen iPod touch in play when it announced the new 5th-gen model in October of last year. The lesser iPod only had 16GB of storage while the shiny new ones came in 32- and 64GB capacities.

Now, the iPhone-maker has kicked the older touch, err, into touch. Gone is the iPod touch with 16GB of storage and 3.5-inch Retina display, and in its place is a new 4-inch Retina-equipped model, with the same 16GB of storage. Presumably to save costs, Apple also dropped the rear-facing 5-megapixel camera and, curiously, the lanyard loop. The new entry-level 16GB touch debuted on Apple’s US store for $229 – or $80 cheaper than its 32GB, camera-equipped brother.

Core Group, Apple’s official distributor in South Africa, currently sells the 32GB iPod touch for R3 399. With a bit of fuzzy maths, it could mean that the 16GB version will have a possible pricetag of around R2 300. But with the exchange rate tanking the way it currently is, we wouldn’t place any bets.

Source
Apple