iPod Nano (1st gen) was released on 7 September 2005.
7 September 2005 · iPod
iPod Nano (1st gen)
iPod Nano
Why it mattered
Apple killed its bestselling product, the iPod mini, to launch the nano, a sign of how quickly it was willing to cannibalise itself. Switching from a tiny hard drive to flash memory made it thinner than a pencil. It also became known for scratching easily, which led to a class-action lawsuit.
Models and prices
| Model / config | Released | Key specs | US launch price | In 2025 dollars (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPod nano 2 GB | Sep 2005 | Flash, colour screen | $199 | ≈ $330 |
| iPod nano 4 GB | Sep 2005 | Flash | $249 | ≈ $410 |
| iPod nano 1 GB | Feb 2006 | Flash | $149 | ≈ $240 |
Inflation-adjusted prices are estimates: launch price × (US CPI-U 2025 annual average 321.943 ÷ CPI-U annual average of the launch year), rounded to the nearest $10. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series CUUR0000SA0. US list prices only; they ignore currency, taxes and carrier subsidies.
What came before and after
Before: iPod mini (2004–2005). After: iPod nano 2nd gen (September 2006) in aluminium.
Buying and collecting notes
Look for unscratched screens; battery replacement is fiddly. Apple ran a recall programme for overheating 1st-gen nano batteries in 2011.
Questions
- When was the iPod nano released?
- It was announced on 7 September 2005.
- How much did the first iPod nano cost?
- $199 for 2 GB and $249 for 4 GB.
- What did the iPod nano replace?
- The iPod mini.
- Was there a recall for the first iPod nano?
- Yes, Apple offered replacements in 2011 due to battery overheating risk.
Sources
- Wikipedia: iPod Nano
- EveryMac.com
- BLS CPI-U series CUUR0000SA0 (data.bls.gov/timeseries/CUUR0000SA0)