Before we go into more detail, here's a quick review of the main differences.
The built-in X/Y stereo mic on the H1n has the same high-quality specs as the H1 (24-bit audio sampling at rates of 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz in WAV and MP3 formats), and has the same low-cut filter for removing low-frequency rumble.
In terms of construction, Zoom did well on the aesthetic upgrade of the new H1n. It still has the same durable plastic build, but H1n’s matte black casing is sleeker than its predecessor’s finish.
A more obvious change can be seen on the location of the buttons. The new H1n digital recorder has more buttons than the H1, whose controls were placed on the left side of the device. The buttons on the new design are right on the front, with settings viewable through the now back-lit LCD. It’s also worth noting that the Zoom H1n runs on two AAA batteries, not the single AA that the older model used to operate on.