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The question arises: Why did a once-successful product fade away? The answer lies in the relentless cycle of technological unification and miniaturization. As the iPod's functions became fully integrated into the smartphone, its standalone necessity diminished.
From Discrete Devices to the Smartphone Era
A pivotal chart illustrating this evolution shows how the sales trajectory of the iPod was eventually overshadowed by the rise of the iPhone and later the iPad. As the iPhone emerged, it incorporated all the core functions of the iPod—music playback, storage, and even more advanced features—within a single device that was more powerful, versatile, and constantly updated.