5 Uncommon iPods You In all probability Did not Notice Existed

Apple discontinued the iPod line again in 2022, with the seventh-generation iPod contact being its swan track. Over the previous few years, the model has seen a resurgence with these on the lookout for a extra private music listening expertise freed from advertisements and algorithms. Particularly, Gen Z is flocking again to the iPod line due to the simplistic nature of the platform.

With the iPod line having been so in style, tens of millions upon tens of millions of gadgets and fashions exist within the wild. Whereas some are higher than others for plenty of causes, there are many older iPods which can be nonetheless value shopping for. However what about these iPod fashions and variants that you just may not have recognized have been even created and offered to the general public?

There have been a number of iPod fashions and restricted version variations that flew underneath the radar for one cause or one other. Perhaps they merely did not promote effectively, weren’t marketed closely, have been actively hidden by Apple, or got here from an odd co-branding affair. Whereas not each one in all these iPod fashions is value a fortune, lots of them have been forgotten by most of the people.

In case you are on the lookout for a uncommon iPod and have a spare $1,000 to burn, the Third-generation stainless-steel iPod Shuffle could be one to maintain a watch out for. These iPods have skyrocketed in value over the past a number of years, with collectors making an attempt to get their arms on them so as to add to their collections.

The iPod Shuffle itself is not something particular when it comes to specs, however it’s that placing reflective stainless-steel that attracts the attention. Even in the present day, many iPod followers had no concept that this mannequin existed, with critical Apple iPod collectors saying that having one is the holy grail for his or her collections. On the time of its launch, it was the most costly iPod Shuffle, coming in at $100 for a 4 GB model.

Many individuals appeared to like the minimal look of the Shuffle, particularly the Third-generation line that the Stainless Metal Particular Version iPod Shuffle is part of. It is extremely clear and classy — even now in 2026, it feels as trendy as ever due to the timeless stainless-steel. Certain, it is in all probability a fingerprint magnet, however that is the value you generally should pay for a little bit cool in your life.

Over the lifespan of the iPod, there have been plenty of restricted version gadgets launched. That is partly as a result of the steel backplate of the gadget made it straightforward to laser engrave. Whereas most of those editions have been unlicensed giveaways, there was a time Apple partnered with somebody aside from U2 (extra on that later). That is the case with the 4th- and Fifth-generation iPod, which each obtained a Harry Potter Collector’s Version.

Popping out in 2005, the Harry Potter Collector’s Version iPod was launched to coincide with the debut of the Harry Potter audiobooks coming to Apple’s iTunes music service. The discharge got here with an engraved iPod that includes the Hogwarts crest on the again and included the whole audiobook assortment of the Harry Potter sequence. You may solely buy this restricted iPod with the audiobooks bundled in, bringing the whole package deal to simply about $550 in 2005 {dollars}. 

And for no matter cause, even with the recognition of the Harry Potter model, these iPods do not flip up on websites like eBay fairly often. Maybe collectors are hoarding them, or possibly Apple by no means offered all that many bundles. Regardless of the case could also be, these are extremely wanted.

The 4th-generation iPod Nano was a terrific little iPod. This era was a return to the basic design of the 2nd-generation iPod Nano and got here in each 8 GB and 16 GB variations. However if you happen to have been in Europe, there was a particular and now uncommon 4 GB model of the iPod Nano that launched quietly to the general public — a lot in order that many aren’t conscious this mannequin ever existed.

It is unclear as to why Apple launched a 4 GB iPod Nano when the corporate was already shifting to larger-capacity gadgets. Media on the time had a principle that it needed to do with Microsoft and its rising Zune transportable music participant. Every time Microsoft launched a Zune mannequin, Apple would counter with an iPod to match the specs and value with a purpose to hold Microsoft from gaining a bonus.

So, the concept of a 4 GB iPod Nano makes extra sense if you notice that the Zune 4 launched for €129, maybe forcing Apple’s hand in releasing a less expensive variant of its personal transportable music participant. Whereas not confirmed by Apple, that is the very best principle the neighborhood has. But when that does not do it for you, a competing principle on the time was that Apple had already manufactured a restricted variety of 4 GB iPod Nanos earlier than selecting to improve the bottom storage stage, then ended up unloading them in Europe to compete with the Zune.

We do not know what the deal was between U2 and Apple. We now have nothing towards the band, however it appeared like Apple actually leaned arduous into the group over time. Who remembers when Apple added U2’s 2014 album “Songs of Innocence” to everybody’s iTunes library with out asking? If you happen to did not obtain the particular instrument Apple launched to take away the album, you should still have it to this present day.

However even earlier than that 2014 blunder by Apple, the U2 partnership was robust. That is no extra obvious than with the discharge of a number of U2 iPod fashions over time. There was a 4th-generation 20 GB iPod in 2004, an iPod Photograph in 2005, a Fifth-generation iPod, and at last, the improved Fifth-generation with a black steel again. What’s humorous is that even with so many variants, many individuals do not bear in mind these iPod fashions.

Earlier than researching for this text, we solely remembered a single launch of the U2 iPod — however apparently Apple went arduous with the group at a time when many felt U2 had lengthy since develop into fairly uncool. You could find these on websites like eBay for pretty cheap costs when in comparison with different iPod fashions, making them a very good possibility for many who like the colour scheme or occur to be U2 followers.

At CES in 2004, Hewlett-Packard (HP) introduced an odd partnership that stunned the tech world. This is able to be the one time that Apple ever licensed out the iPod model and its {hardware} expertise. Whereas Apple CEO Steve Jobs was notoriously towards licensing Apple {hardware} and software program out, the deal noticed iTunes being pre-installed on all HP and Compaq private computer systems.

The Apple iPod+HP partnership got here to an finish when HP CEO Carly Fiorina was ousted in 2005 and HP terminated the deal shortly after. As for the gadget itself, the Apple iPod+HP was an ordinary 4th-generation iPod with HP branding on the rear panel, just below the Apple and iPod logos. Many felt it was nothing however an affordable re-skin, however on account of an absence of Apple controls, the iPod+HP could possibly be discovered cheaper than the very same Apple variant.

HP would launch different iPod fashions throughout the partnership, together with the iPod mini, iPod photograph, and even an iPod Shuffle. What’s attention-grabbing about these fashions is that as a result of they have been thought of HP merchandise, you could not get them serviced by Apple. You’d should get them fastened at devoted HP Licensed Service Facilities.