iPod nano 7th generation (graphite) - A good MP3 player

Quick overview:
+ Good workmanship, compact and lightweight design
+ Well-designed and successful operating concept of touchscreen and physical buttons
+ Good sound quality
+ Built-in radio

- Battery life mediocre
- Permanently installed battery

Packaging / Accessories:
The Nano is packed as well as the touch in a Snow White coffin. He is therefore the purchaser presents in a small plastic bag that is transparent in the upper third and so granted the views of the iPod, which appears to float by a special holder.
In the non-visible part is found after opening the Lightning to USB cable, the apple earbuds, a short manual and the compulsory label.
Although the presentation does not say anything about the quality of the product, I find it fascinating to which deliberate care apparently solely on the package was designed.

Appearance / feel:
Made is the case of the iPod made of anodised aluminum, just at the bottom there is a small plastic cover that makes the built-in Bluetooth function necessary. Also at the bottom are the new proprietary Lightning connector and the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Externally, no fittings are to realize the housing stable and acts as a unified whole, the material appearance and hand feeling like it very much. When pressure is shaking and creaks nothing.
The glass front is glued to the aluminum enclosure, so that a visual and tactile edge is created between the display cover and housing.
The design fits seamlessly into the current product portfolio of Apple. By abraded aluminum edges on top and bottom of the proximity to the iPhone 5 and the current iPod touch is unmistakable.
With only 31g weight of the narrow and not even credit card sized iPod is very easy but also very comfortable to hold.
Overall, the Nano is well crafted to please the extremely compact design and know the low weight and make the Nano a permanent fixture in my jacket pocket.

Operation:
It is operated by using the touch screen and three physical buttons.
So there are at the front of the famous Home button at top of the case we find the button to activate and deactivate the player, or the arrival and deployment of the displays.
Operation via the touch screen is self-explanatory and when entering noticed that nothing strikes. Entries are always implemented immediately, there is no trailer, the touchscreen responds reliably.
Interesting is the control element on the left side. The operation is expected to be known users of the wired remote control of Appelrath earphones.
In addition to the increase and decrease the volume, can play or pause with the center key songs, or are announced with the VoiceOver feature title and artist.
It is also possible for the next or previous track skip and fast forward or rewind.
May be that all of these functions also perceived a physical button, is really great, because as well as a blind operation of the player in your pocket is no problem.

When using, I noticed that I can use with the left hand than with his right hand to iPod much better. That may be because the headphone output as the control element above are exactly on the left side of the player.

Audio playback:
An audio playback I can not fault. There is no discernible noise noticeable, the music is played back as it should sound.
The output power convinced so in reasonable volumes with larger headphones music can be heard.

The radio function works well and for the most part completely without noise.

Battery:
According to the manufacturer the battery for music playback is up to 30 hours range, when playing videos up to 3.5 hours.
I use the Nano just for listening to music and the associated navigate through menus and playlists, etc., the battery maximum 20h 15h rather persevere with me. That's not bad but quite far from the specified 30 hours away.
Of course, the only pure music reproduction, nevertheless uses it from time to time but the display refer, otherwise you could have chosen the same for the iPod shuffle.

Another point of criticism is the permanently installed battery. Yes, I have known this ahead of time and also with other manufacturers, the battery is not readily reversible.
Here is a battery change, which must come sooner or later, virtually impossible.
If the experts at iFixit are to be believed, the battery is glued not only to the display, but also soldered to the motherboard. Of course the extremely compact design is such a production to a certain extent expected, but because of me the instrument might like to weigh twice as much, and 62g fit in your pocket.
Ultimately, it also smells quite strong here on the planned obsolescence.
Because of the aforementioned criticisms there is a star deduction.

Display:
The display does its job appropriately. The resolution, brightness and size is ok to scroll through playlists and navigate through the menus. Albums Cover display, while Cover Flow is not possible.
Photos and movies, of course I do not look to me on a display, which is no bigger than a matchbox.

iTunes:
Binding to iTunes is not known whether it is iTunes as good or bad, remains a matter of taste. I like the software, especially the ability to create smart playlists and sort the playlists in complex folder structures. Data are transmitted via the new connection by the way pretty quickly. My 10GB music were synchronized in less than 15min.

Other:
The usable memory is 14.7 GB.
The accompanying earphones I have not tested, I have my own Inears or headphones.
Well, I think the timer function that tears me in public transport from the sofa and will assure you that I do not miss my stop.
We recommend a protective cover, or at least a protective film for the display.

Conclusion:
The iPod nano 7th generation is well made, very compact and light weight and is ideal as a purist music player. Only the permanently installed battery and not thoroughly convincing battery power offer grounds for criticism.