iPod · The Digital Hub · 2005
iPod nano (1st generation)
When Jobs pulled the nano from the coin pocket of his jeans, the audience gasped. Flash storage made it astonishingly thin, replacing the popular mini just seven months in.
iPod nano (1st generation): key facts
When was the iPod nano (1st generation) released?
The iPod nano (1st generation) was released in September 7, 2005. Apple discontinued it in September 2006.
How much did the iPod nano (1st generation) cost?
The iPod nano (1st generation) launched at $199 in 2005 — about $326 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iPod nano (1st generation)’s specs?
The iPod nano (1st generation) used a ARM running at 80 MHz, with 32 MB of memory and 2 GB of storage. It ran iPod software.
Why does the iPod nano (1st generation) matter?
Pencil-thin, flash-based and colour — it made the hard-drive iPod look chunky overnight.
Full specifications
| CPU | ARM · 80 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 MB |
| Storage | 2 GB |
| Display | 1.5" colour LCD, 176×132 |
| GPU | Integrated |
| Ports | 30-pin dock connector |
| Weight | 42 g |
| Dimensions | 9.0×4.0×0.69 cm |
| Operating system | iPod software |
| Released | September 7, 2005 |
| Discontinued | September 2006 |
| Launch price | $199 |
How the iPod nano (1st generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 512× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 80 MHz, the clock is roughly 40× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 512 modern phone photos.
Launched at $199 in 2005 — about $326 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
The early black-and-white models were notoriously easy to scratch.
Related iPod models
Open the iPod nano (1st generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25