Why The Zune HD is a better value than the iPod Touch

Written by Chris @ dealzon.

Apple introduced their 3rd generation iPod Touch on Wednesday, September 9th, and Microsoft is introducing their Zune HD on September 15th, but it is available for preorder now.

Who cares about Zune you ask? Everyone is buying an iPod because they are the best right?! NOT SO because Zune sales have been declining, and iPod sales increasing Zune is now the official underdog. Microsoft, who makes the Zune and Xbox is no stranger to taking losses in products to force them into the market, and that is exactly what they have done with the Zune HD which makes it a very compelling product. Below, I lay out feature for feature why the Zune is a better value.

Note: As of September 14th, Zune HD 32 GB retails at $289.99 and the iPod Touch 32 GB retails at $299.99 - The Zune is $10 cheaper.

Zune wins on price
At 32GB, The Zune HD offers the same storage as the iPod Touch for $10 less. $289.99 vs. $299.99. The iPod does have a low storage option, albeit lower storage, (8GB) for $199.99, beating Zune HD's low cost option (16GB) by $20.

Zune wins on screen
iPod Touch continued the use of LCD, and Zune HD introduced OLED. OLED is a superior technology that creates brighter colors and a crisper picture.

Zune wins on battery life
Zune HD battery life outperforms iPod Touch by 3 hours for music and 2.5 hours for video.

Apple/iPod wins on marketplace
Zune HD utilizes the Zune Marketplace, and iPod Touch utilizes iTunes, and both of them are available wirelessly on their respected device. iTunes library of music, podcasts, movies and audiobooks is unmatched in the market.

Features That Only Zune HD Has:

• HD Radio
• $14.99 per month, unlimited access to music, 10 free downloads a month AKA "Zune Pass"
• Send video in 720p to an HDTV (see example video from Gizmodo here)
• FM Tuner
• Integration with Xbox Live
• see Zune official specification here

Features that only Apple iPod Touch Has:

• Bluetooth
• Nike Support Built In
• Quality Control, 2 years of iPod Touch Reliability
• see iPod Touch official specification here

Conclusion
I'm recommending Zune HD for this generation of MP3 players. Zune’s HD radio, faster/smaller processor, Xbox integration, better battery life, OLED display and Zune Pass (monthly all-you-can-eat subscription to music) all make this too hard to pass up. Apple failed to raise the bar with their 3rd generation iPod Touch by not introducing any new features to last year’s generation.