THIN / THICK GUIDE · UPDATED

iPod Classic Thin or Thick: sizes and models

iPod Classic and iPod Video were made with two back-shell depths: Thin (about 10.5 mm) and Thick (about 13.5 mm). Variants in the same family are hard to tell apart from the front; capacity, year and side profile are the reliable clues.

Side-by-side photograph of a silver Thin iPod and a black Thick iPod aligned on the same surface
Real comparison: Thin on the left, Thick on the right, aligned to the same baseline and scale.
Side profile of a Thin iPod (10.5 mm) and a Thick iPod (13.5 mm)
The Thick is 3 mm deeper: the difference shows when the two iPods stand on their side.

Three ways to check

  1. 1

    Read the capacity engraved on the back

    The fastest way. Find the big number near the bottom of the back (e.g. 160GB) and look it up in the table below.

    Back of the iPod with the engraved capacity and the model/serial line

  2. 2

    Check model and year

    Below the capacity is the model number: A1136 on common Video versions and A1238 on Classic. A1238 alone cannot separate the two 160 GB models: match serial and date with Apple’s “Identify your iPod model” page, or measure the depth.

  3. 3

    Measure the thickness

    With a ruler, stand the iPod on its side. About 10–11 mm = Thin, about 13–14 mm = Thick.

    iPod standing on its side on a ruler

Quick table by capacity

Model Capacity Year Thickness
iPod Video 5th gen 30 GB 2005–2006 THIN · 10.5 mm
iPod Video 5th / 5.5th gen 60 GB · 80 GB 2005–2006 THICK · 13.5 mm
iPod Classic 6th gen 80 GB 2007 THIN · 10.5 mm
iPod Classic 6th gen 160 GB 2007 THICK · 13.5 mm
iPod Classic 6th gen (2008) 120 GB 2008 THIN · 10.5 mm
iPod Classic 7th gen 160 GB 2009 THIN · 10.5 mm

Why it matters

  • Battery: the Thick offers more room. Aftermarket batteries advertised as 2000/3000 mAh still require a size, flash-adapter and internal-layout check; the mAh label alone does not guarantee fit.
  • Back shell: Thin and Thick shells are not interchangeable. The configurator asks for it at the “Thickness” step.
  • Cases: iPod Classic cases also come in the two sizes.

Not sure?

Send us a photo of the back and we'll tell you. Or start a repair or build your iPod: the Thin/Thick choice is guided.

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