Even though the iPod Touch is lightyears ahead of competitors, there are still some mp3 players that can match the iTouch one way or another. This is also a great list if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the iTouch. But one thing is for sure, none of this mp3 players can match iTouch’s wealth of applications and games.

Cowon S9

Features that match/beat the iTouch: Great sound quality (better than touch), Awesome Sound equaliser, AMOLED Screen, Accelerometer, Wide range of video and audio format, Very long battery life, Customisable UI

Why it loses out to iTouch: Smaller Screen, Troublesome UI, Cheap plastic cover, UI overall not as clean/fast as iTouch, No WiFi

Cowon S9 and iTouch side-by-side

Samsung P3

Features that match/beat the iTouch: Great colourful UI, Cute candy-like apperance, Lots of widgets, User Created Interfaces are available, Supports variety of video and audio format (including FLAC), Bluetooth connectivity, Great sound quality

Why it loses out to iTouch: Smaller screen, No internet, No Accelerometer, Touchscreen not as sensitive, widgets no match for iTouch’s apps

The comprasions!

Samsung YP-M1

This player seems to be an upgrade of the Samsung P3. It has a larger AMOLED screen and more powerful hardware. The Samsung YP-M1 has been released in Korea, but no news yet for an international release. It seems that some countries are bringing this player in December, so keep your fingers cross!

Sony X-Series Walkman

Features that match/beat the iTouch: Great sound quality, OLED Touch Screen, Nice Graphite looking body, Noise cancellation, High video quality, Mac and Window, Supplied Earbuds better than average

Why it loses out to iTouch: Internet browser is bad, Noise cancellation only applicable for Sony earphone, Extremely expensive, Smaller Screen compared to iTouch, Fingerprint magnet, Hard to type text

Sony X-Series Walkman and Apple iTouch side-by-side

Zune HD

Features that match/beat the iTouch: Big OLED Screen, HD radio tuner, Unbelivable sleek UI, Sleek and beautiful body, Internet is available, Good audio quality, Zune Pass, Capability to have applications and games

Why it loses out to iTouch: Media button a bad idea, absence of volume button, limited video format, Currently only available in the US,