Older digital technology is making an unexpected comeback in 2026, with digital cameras, iPods and wired earphones gaining fresh popularity among younger users seeking simpler experiences. eBay told the BBC that UK sales of iPods and Walkman portable audio players rose by nearly 50% in 2025. Searches for iPod minis increased 48% over the past year. Camera industry figures also show renewed demand. The Camera and Imaging Products Association said worldwide digital camera shipments reached 9.44 million units in 2025, up 11.2%. Built-in lens camera shipments jumped 29.6% to 2.44 million. Digital cameras offer a different look For 26-year-old South Wales content creator Lily Redman, digital cameras offer something smartphones do not. They “capture a quality that my phone just can’t replicate”, she said. Redman takes a digital camera to concerts and nights out. She says phone flash “is grainy and too high definition” compared with the “more smooth” result from a digital camera. “I think people are looking for a bit of grit or something that feels a bit more real,” she said. Read More: Wired Headphones Make a Comeback as Health Concerns and Sound Quality Debate Grow Part of the appeal comes from waiting to see pictures later instead of instantly reviewing and editing them on a smartphone. “Phone photos have warped our perception of time,” Redman said. The BBC also cited a market research estimate of 42 million active film-camera users worldwide. More than one-third were aged between 18 and 30. iPods bring back simpler listening Early MP3 players are enjoying a similar revival. Refurbished technology marketplace Back Market said iPod sales rose 48% between 2024 and 2025. The Associated Press has also reported growing secondhand demand among younger consumers seeking focused listening without smartphone distractions or algorithm-driven playlists. Cheri Sanih, 30, runs a Tumblr account dedicated to older technology. Her mint green iPod reminds her of “simpler times” and offers a way to “bury into escapism”. “My phone is always getting notifications and sometimes I just want to be outside, blissfully listening to music,” she said. Wired earphones find new fans Wired headphones are also returning. Bristol social media manager Monique Wellman-Mason, 23, switched after repeatedly losing wireless earbuds. She likes their clear microphone, constant connection and low price of around £20, despite having to untangle the cable. “Technology only goes up and we’re always looking for the quickest thing but this is a step back in a way – I love it,” she said. Read More: US Youth Turn to Digital Detox to Improve Sleep and Reduce Anxiety Oxford University professor Andrew Przybylski sees a deeper reason behind the trend. He says it reflects “people’s desire on a very deep level to be in control of their experiences”. Older devices require deliberate choices, such as selecting an album or adjusting a camera. That differs from modern platforms that continuously recommend content. For some consumers, those limits are now part of the attraction. The comeback suggests convenience is no longer the only priority. Simplicity, ownership and greater control over digital experiences are becoming part of the appeal too.