MP3 players with large screens

October 24, 2005

While screens are rarely a critical factor in judging an MP3 player (see the screenless Apple iPod Shuffle), they do add a lot to the user experience, especially if they are bigger-than-average color screens. In addition to its cleaner interface, a big color screen usually means you'll get photo viewing and maybe even video playback on your device, though typically at the expense of battery life. I've rounded up a few MP3 players, plus a sleek portable video player, with well-endowed screens that will keep you from squinting.

First, we have the Apple iPod 5G with its gorgeous 2.5-inch screen. That extra half-inch it gains on the 4G iPod makes a world of difference for photos and video. Toshiba's Gigabeat MEG-F20K has a dazzling 2.2-inch display, which boasts graphics that pulsate to the beat. Olympus's M:robe 500i may not be a very good MP3 player, but the 3.7-inch touch screen with its stylized interface looks fantastic, especially when you're viewing photos. The Creative Zen Vision is really a portable video player, but its body is sleek enough to go both ways. And its 640x480-pixel, 3.7-inch screen kicks major tech booty, though viewing angles aren't spectacular. Even flash-based players such as Cowon's iAudio 5 and Samsung's YEPP YP-T7 can have larger screens. In the iAudio 5's case, it has a dual wide screen, so you get lots of info, plus some cool graphics thrown in. Finally, the cool, new iRiver U10 has a 2.2-inch photo- and video-friendly screen that seems bigger, thanks to its screen-heavy design and its minimal interface.

More resources

MP3 player buying guide  Editors' top MP3 players

CNET Music Center  Portable video players