Pocket Gamer's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Christmas gift guide

2011 is slowly drawing to a close, which means Christmas is almost upon us. Pocket Gamer knows how stressful it can be trying to find your loved ones that perfect gift, but with some fancy new Apple gadgets to choose from - plus our expert help - you don't have to worry too much.

If the intended recipient of your thoughtful gift loves technology or games, there's a good chance they'd love one of Apple's shiny handheld devices.

But, which do you choose?

There is, of course, the brand spanking new iPhone 4S to consider, as well as its more than worthwhile predecessor, the iPhone 4. Then, there's the iPod touch, which - while it can't make calls - is perfect for music lovers and avid gamers. Don't forget the larger-screened iPad, either.

Naturally, you'll also have to think about accessories and other add-ons, whichever one you choose. Fear not: we've included them in our guide, too.

While Apple offers a range of non-iOS portable devices like the iPod nano, the iPod shuffle, and the iPod classic, you'll probably want to avoid these. They just don't offer the same vast functionality of their iOS-powered cousins.

That leaves you - as previously mentioned - with three choices: the iPhone, the iPod touch, and the iPad.

Apple's iPhone 4S might look almost identical to its hugely successful predecessor, but its Pocket Gamer Gold Award-winning insides pack an extra punch.

There's the same dual-core A5 processor found in the iPad 2, for example, which will likely come in very handy as more and more increasingly powerful iOS games fill the App Store.

The Cupertino-based tech company has also managed to cram in an all-new 8-megapixel camera, 1080p video recording, and an intelligent personal assistant called Siri.

As you've probably already guessed, these features don't come cheap. A SIM-free 16GB iPhone 4S in either white or black will lighten your purse by £499 / $649, with 32GB and 64GB models retailing for £599 / $749 and £699 / $849, respectively.

Of course, nabbing the phone on a monthly plan will save you a stack of cash upfront, but the recipient of your gift will then be tied to a contract - likely for 18 months. No iPhone 5 for them, then.

The iPhone 4 is very much still alive and kicking on Apple's website, meanwhile, though it's well over a year old and will still set you back £429 for a measly 8GB model. It's best to go for Apple's latest release.

iPod touch

Some people don't like fancy feature-rich phones (don't ask us why), so a shiny new iPhone 4S would be wasted on them. A iPod touch, on the other hand, might be right up their street.

While the latest iteration of Apple's iPod touch houses many of the features found in the aforementioned iPhone, it's important to remember that they aren't quite up to the same standard.

For example, the fourth-generation iPod touch's camera is only capable of snapping VGA-quality shots and shooting 720p video. Bear in mind, too, that the device will also have to be connected to a wi-fi network in order to browse the web and send iMessages.

Still, in spite of the above points, the iPod touch remains one of the best music and gaming devices on the market.

You can get the latest generation of iPod touch from the likes of Amazon for as little as £159.99 (8GB). 32GB and 64GB models will cost you £245 and £292.

iPad

The iPad 2 might look like a larger-screened iPhone or iPod touch, but if you play with one for more than a few minutes, you'll quickly realise it's an entirely different beast.

This updated version of Apple's 10-inch tablet is much thinner than the original - it's just 8.8mm thick - and is more powerful thanks to the A5 dual-core processor. There are also two cameras on board for FaceTime and a range of other activities.

While the iPad performs many of the same tasks you can complete with one of Apple's smaller portable devices, the larger screen makes it perfect for watching movies, playing games, and reading books and magazines. You can purchase all of these straight from the device using iTunes, the App Store, and the iBookstore.

One thing you do have to consider when stumping up the cash for the iPad, mind, is whether the recipient of your gift will need a 3G connection or not.

16GB, 32GB, and 64GB wi-fi-only iPad 2 models will set you back a bank-breaking £399, £479, or £559 on Apple's website, but 3G connectivity will cost you an extra £100 on top of each price point.

If you do decide to grab the 3G-enabled tablet, be aware that you'll then need a micro-SIM and a monthly data plan. UK carrier 3 offers 1GB of mobile data for £7.50 / month, or a whopping 10GB for £15.

Finally, if you're thinking of buying somebody an iPad, be mindful of the fact that Apple is likely to refresh the product line early next year.

Apple's iconic white earphones aren't actually very good, so a replacement pair should be at the top of your accessory list. Unfortunately, there are tons of different brands, varieties, and specifications to choose from, so picking a pair can be a chore.

That said, if your intended recipient is 'down with the kids', you can't go far wrong with a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. These come in normal and in-ear varieties, and will set you back at least £119.95. Steep, we agree.

If you're looking for something a tad cheaper, consider the noise-isolating Sennheiser CX 300 II buds. You can pick these up from Amazon for just £28.45.

The quickest and easiest method of getting juicy multimedia content onto a new iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, is to download it straight from Apple's digital store. That makes pre-paid iTunes Cards an ideal gift.

These cards are available from Apple's website in £15, £25, and £50 denominations. There's also a "special edition" £100 The Beatles-themed card up for grabs.

Although the design of the iPhone 4S has consigned the pesky antenna issues that plagued its predecessor to history, a protective case is still a worthy purchase. Apple's portable gadgets are no match for a hard surface.

If you're looking at going down the official route, Apple's bumper should be your first port of call. The rubber and moulded plastic case - which is available in numerous colours - will protect your device's most vulnerable areas for £26.

If, like us, you think that's a tad expensive, Amazon has a wide range of cases that offer different amounts of protection. They start at under a fiver.

Like the iPhone, the iPad is unlikely to survive a battle with a slab of concrete unscathed, so a case is a wise buy. Again, these fall into two price categories: high and low.

Last year, Pocket Gamer's Jon Jordan recommended checking out the range of Hard Graft protectors, which are available at around £70. There's also Apple's Smart Cover to consider, but it merely covers the device's screen, leaving the back vulnerable to scuffs and scratches.

Cheaper - but still quality - alternatives include the TeckNet iPad 2 Premium Folio Case, which is currently on sale for £11.

The case doubles as a handy stand for watching movies or typing documents, and will even automatically wake an iPad from sleep when it's opened.

Infinity Blade II (Universal)

Chair Entertainment's slash-'em-up sequel Infinity Blade II is absolutely stunning, so it's the perfect candidate for showing off the power of any new iOS device.

The Unreal Engine 3-powered title earned a Pocket Gamer Silver Award at review, with PG's Harry Slater noting that the title is "a showcase for everything that's right about sequels".

Rated 9+, £4.99 / $6.99 on iTunes.

Real Racing 2 (iPhone and iPad)

Despite being almost a year old, Firemint's Platinum Award-nabbing Real Racing 2 is chock-full of impressive features, such as the ability to play split-screen multiplayer on your TV using Apple's AirPlay.

If that wasn't impressive enough, there's also the option of racing against 15 other keen drivers from around the world in online multiplayer.

Rated 4+, £2.99 / $4.99 on iPhone and £4.99 / $6.99 on iPad.

Shadowgun (Universal)

Shadowgun is the closest thing to a Gears of War-esque experience on Apple's App Store, so the Silver Award-winning Unity-powered shooter is worth adding to your list of possible gifts.

This AAA title is another perfect opportunity to show off the horsepower and performance of an iPhone 4S or iPad 2, thanks to its gorgeous graphics.

Rated 12+, £2.99 / $4.99 on iTunes.