Every iPod Color

In collecting various iPods over the years, it quickly became clear that there was no easy way to find out the official names of every color, especially since some models went through multiple color option revisions. So, I decided to do some research and compile a comprehensive list of every iPod color Apple has ever offered. I hope you find this useful! If you think I’ve missed one, please let me know!

I am also on a mission to eventually own every color of iPod. I’ve got a long ways to go, but check out the links to see real-life images throughout the timeline!

I have made quick reference cards for every iPod model. If you’d like to read a bit more into the history and timeline of iPod colors, scroll down to “History and Timeline”.

Reference Cards

Certain iPod models had color refreshes that had colors of the same name as before, but are visually distinct. For these instances, I have applied a year modifier, such as Blue (2010) and Blue (2012), to distinguish between them. Read through the timeline to learn more. If you’d like to download all of the cards in full quality for personal use, you can do so here.

iPod classic

iPod mini

iPod shuffle

iPod nano

iPod touch

History and Timeline

iPod classic

First Generation – Third Generation

The first three generations of iPod were available only in White with the classic chrome back. For the third generation, there was going to be a blue version as part of the HP partnership, but Steve Jobs squashed that. Or check out the real-life images of iPod (third generation)

Fourth Generation

At launch in July 2004, the fourth generation iPod was only available in White.

October 26, 2004

Alongside the iPod photo, Apple also introduced a special U2 Special Edition of the iPod (4th Generation). The front of the iPod was black and the Click Wheel was red. The back plate had signatures of U2 band members.

iPod photo / iPod with color display

Launched in October 2004, the iPod photo was only available in White.

June 28, 2005

When Apple merged the iPod photo and iPod lines, creating the “iPod with color display”, they also released an updated U2 Special Edition to match the “new” iPod.

Fifth Generation

At launch in October 2005, the iPod (5th Generation) came in White and Black. These color options affected only the front of the iPod; both models continued to have the classic chrome back.

June 6, 2006

Like with the last two iPods, Apple introduced a U2 Special Edition of the fifth generation iPod. This time around though, the back was a dark gray, which you can see here.

Sixth Generation (“Classic”)

The sixth generation iPod, or iPod classic, had two color options at launch in September 2007. They were also the first iPod classic model to switch to using an aluminum front. All models retained the stainless steel chrome back.

September 9, 2008

Alongside the new iPod nano (4th Generation), Apple updated the Black color option to be a lighter shade of gray, matching the new nano.

iPod mini

First Generation

The iPod mini, launched in January 2004, came in five muted colors:

Second Generation

The second generation, released in February 2005, came with similar color options. But this time, the colors were much more vibrant and the text on the click wheel was color-matched.

iPod shuffle

First Generation

The first generation iPod shuffle, launched in January 2005, was only available in White.

Second Generation

The second generation iPod shuffle had multiple color option revisions over the years. At its launch in September 2006, the iPod shuffle (2nd Generation) had just one color option: Silver.

January 30, 2007

Just a few months after release, Apple added four new colors to the lineup:

September 5, 2007

Alongside the launch of the iPod nano (3rd Generation), Apple refreshed the colors of the shuffle to better match the nano’s new colors:

September 9, 2008

Once again, alongside the latest nano (this time the 4th generation), the iPod shuffle got a new color lineup:

Avon Special Edition

Sometime mid-2009, despite the 3rd generation iPod shuffle having already been released, cosmetics company Avon held a promotion: purchase $75 worth of items, and then you could get an iPod shuffle 2nd generation in this special, Avon-exclusive Gold color for $29. This seems to be an official partnership with Apple, since it came with a full one-year warranty and the Gold model had a specific order number: MC167LL/A. The iPod was also engraved “A V O N” in the standard Apple engraving style. You can read more about this campaign here, and you can view a promotional image for it here.

Third Generation

In March 2009, Apple finally updated the iPod shuffle (which they really wanted you to know could talk). It came in two colors at launch. All models of the third-generation shuffle also have a polished stainless steel clip, similar in style to the back of every iPod classic.

September 9, 2009

Alongside the iPod nano (5th Generation), Apple released some new color options for the shuffle:

Apple also launched a quite stunning Special Edition model, which came in a polished stainless steel. I am unaware of any name for this color besides “Special Edition”.

Fourth Generation

The fourth generation iPod shuffle was one of Apple’s longest-sold products, sold from September 2010 until July 2017. At launch, the fourth-generation iPod shuffle came in the same glossy style as the fifth- and sixth-generation iPod nano:

September 12, 2012

Alongside the new iPod touch (5th Generation) and iPod nano (7th Generation), Apple refreshed the colors of the iPod shuffle to match the new nano. They were also matte, like the new iPods.

September 2013

As with all other Slate products available at the time, the Slate option was replaced with Space Gray.

July 15, 2015

With the release of the sixth generation iPod touch, Apple updated the color options for all iPod models:

iPod nano

First Generation

The first generation iPod nano, launched in September 2005, was designed to match the 5th Generation iPod. Therefore, it had the same Black and White color options. Both options had the same stainless steel silver back. Or check out the real-life images

Second Generation

At launch in September 2006, the 2nd Generation was available in five colors:

For the 2 GB model, Silver was the only option. For the 4 GB model, all but Black were available. For the 8 GB model, Black was the only option.

October 13, 2006

Shortly after launch, Apple added a PRODUCT(RED) option for the 4 GB and 8 GB model. Or check out the real-life images

Third Generation

At launch in September 2007, the 3rd Generation iPod nano came in five colors. All color options had the same classic chrome back.

The 4 GB model was only available in Silver.

January 22, 2008

A few months after the launch of this generation, Apple added a “highly requested” Pink option to the lineup (8 GB only).

Fourth Generation

The famously nano-chromatic fourth-generation nano launched in September 2008 with nine color options, which were never updated.

Fifth Generation

Similar to the fourth generation nano, the iPod nano (5th Generation) also came in nine colors that weren’t updated after it launched in September 2009. The color options are the same as the fourth generation, but this time, the body was made of “gorgeous polished aluminum” instead of the previous matte colors.

Sixth Generation

Like the fifth generation, the sixth generation iPod nano came in polished aluminum when it was launched in September 2010.

Seventh Generation

The seventh generation, launched in September 2012, saw the return to matte aluminum.

September 2013

As with all other Slate products available at the time, the Slate option was replaced with Space Gray.

July 15, 2015

With the release of the sixth generation iPod touch, Apple updated the color options for all iPod models:

iPod touch

First, Second and Third Generations

All models had a Black front and chrome back.

Fourth Generation

The fourth-generation iPod touch’s color options only affected the front glass. Both models still had a shiny chrome back. At launch in September 2010, Black was the only option.

October 12, 2011

A little over a year after its initial release, alongside the release of iOS 5, Apple updated the iPod touch lineup to include a White option. Apple announced this change in advance when the iPhone 4S was announced. Or check out the real-life images

Fifth Generation

The fifth-generation iPod touch was the first to have some real color options. When it was announced in September 2012, it came in ”five vibrant colors”. Except there was actually a sixth, the special PRODUCT(RED) version that was available exclusively through Apple.

September 2012

May 2013

On May 30, 2013, Apple announced a new iPod touch model that featured 16GB of storage and no back camera. This iPod touch only came in one color option: a black front with a silver back. According to the box and website code for this model, it was called Black/Silver.

September 2013

With the release of iOS 7, all devices with a Slate option were replaced with a Space Gray option to better match the new style. White and Silver was also renamed to just Silver.

June 2014

On June 26, 2014, Apple essentially discontinued the previous 16 GB model and added a 16 GB configuration to the standard iPod touch (5th Generation). However, this was branded as bringing the colors and cameras to the 16 GB model. The color options did not update. Or check out the real-life images

Sixth Generation and Seventh Generation

With the release of the 6th Generation iPod touch, Apple updated all existing iPod lines to offer the same colors:

These colors lasted until the discontinuation of the last iPod touch in 2022. Or check out the real-life images

I hope you found this guide useful! I spent many days finding images, cleaning them up, comping them together, and for the reference cards, creating images of all the colors from just one high-res image. I also put hours into my research to ensure that everything is accurate and complete.