iPod · The Aluminum Age · 2010
iPod nano (6th generation)
Apple shrank the nano to a clip-on touchscreen postage stamp. It was so watch-like that a cottage industry of wrist straps turned it into the unofficial first "Apple Watch."
A tiny square multitouch screen with a built-in clip.
iPod nano (7th generation) (2012)
iPod nano (6th generation): key facts
When was the iPod nano (6th generation) released?
The iPod nano (6th generation) arrived on September 1, 2010. Apple discontinued it in September 2012.
How much did the iPod nano (6th generation) cost?
The iPod nano (6th generation) launched at $149 in 2010, about $219 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: ARM at 200 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 8 GB storage, 1.54" multitouch, 240×240 display.
Why does the iPod nano (6th generation) matter?
A tiny square multitouch screen with a built-in clip.
Full specifications
| CPU | ARM · 200 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 64 MB |
| Storage | 8 GB |
| Display | 1.54" multitouch, 240×240 |
| GPU | Integrated |
| Ports | 30-pin dock connector |
| Weight | 21.1 g |
| Dimensions | 3.74×4.07×0.88 cm |
| Operating system | iPod software |
| Released | September 1, 2010 |
| Discontinued | September 2012 |
| Launch price | $149 |
How the iPod nano (6th generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 256× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 200 MHz, the clock is roughly 16× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 2,050 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $149 in 2010, about $219 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Strap accessories let people literally wear it as a watch years before the real one.
Related iPod models
Open the iPod nano (6th generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11