Digital cameras and wired earphones are back - and 'a bit more real'
Younger generations are increasingly adopting vintage technology like digital cameras and wired headphones to seek a more authentic, less curated experience than modern smartphones provide. This trend is reflected in rising secondary market sales for older electronic devices.
Why it matters
This shift highlights a growing cultural pushback against high-definition, algorithm-driven digital experiences in favor of tactile, 'real' media.
Image source, Annabel Rackham By Annabel Rackham Culture reporter Published 8 August 2026, 02:40 BST It's Saturday afternoon and I've nearly fallen at the first hurdle – I've left my digital camera battery on charge at home.
Forgive me, I last took this camera out with me 15 years ago on a family holiday to the Canary Islands.
Take two. Now with the charged battery in hand, I'm taking my digital camera to a DJ set as an experiment.
It's because older technology is having a bit of a moment – social media is full of people talking about why they're going back to basics with the likes of digital cameras, wired headphones and early MP3 players.
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