Technology is constantly moving forward, but that's not always a good thing. Sure, modern high-tech gadgets can make you money, and it's useful to have multiple devices connected to each other. But many 'advancements' have also made people feel suffocated by forced online access and locked-down platforms. As a result of this, as well as simple curiosity and perhaps nostalgia, younger generations have begun to embrace older pieces of tech, including analog devices and physical forms of media.

Not every kid or young adult is embracing older technology, of course. Some even have a continued love for Apple products that created new challenges for Android. But many from Generation Z and Alpha have found creative uses or enticing prospects for 'retro' devices and media in general. They also don't have very high opinions on the direction that current technology has started to move in. That's why you might see these generations taking full advantage of these classic electronic items. The trend is not merely about nostalgia; it is a deliberate choice driven by concerns over privacy, durability, and the sheer quality of older hardware. This article explores four prominent examples of older tech that are finding new life among younger users.

CRTs

If you're a major fan of older games, the reason old CRT TVs are making a comeback shouldn't be surprising. Regardless of generation, many people insist that retro titles only really look as they should on retro monitors. The screens might have been limited in resolution and much less clear than modern TVs, but the people making media that was supposed to be played on those screens knew that. Thus, pixelated video games and even older movies can look especially appealing on a CRT, to the point that today's audiences have to seek out filters and overlays to replicate the style. The unique scanline patterns and natural motion blur of CRTs soften the sharp edges of low-resolution graphics, creating a visual experience that modern LCDs simply cannot reproduce without artificial filtering.

Of course, the retro gaming benefits make up the main appeal of CRT TVs. It's led to Gen Z actively seeking the bulky boxes out, all for the sake of experiencing the games as they were originally intended to be played. It's not just visual, either; even some of the most high-end TVs of today can't match the response time of a CRT. With input lag measured in microseconds rather than milliseconds, CRTs offer near-instantaneous feedback that is crucial for fast-paced games like 'Super Mario Bros.' or 'Street Fighter II.' Even with the massive 8K screens of today, younger generations agree that there are some great benefits to these older models. Furthermore, the rise of retro gaming communities on platforms like Reddit and Discord has fueled demand, with users sharing tips on where to find free CRTs, how to maintain them, and how to connect modern consoles via adapters. Some enthusiasts even collect multiple CRT sizes and brands to match the exact look of different arcade cabinets or classic console setups. The resurgence has been so significant that some electronics recycling centers have reported a decline in CRT drop-offs, as people now actively seek them out instead of discarding them.

CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and records

Streaming platforms can offer a wide plethora of movies and shows for everyone. But as more people leave expensive services for cheaper options, some are choosing to abandon them altogether. For younger generations, the concept of owning your media is even more appealing when you'd otherwise have to sign into an account and hope a company doesn't take down your favorite series. That's why physical media from optical discs, records, and even tapes still appeals to some younger users — in spite of how the latter is commonly seen as old tech that most Gen Z kids will never learn to use. The appeal is multifaceted: ownership, tangibility, and a break from the algorithmic algorithms that dictate what we watch on streaming platforms.

Of course, these solutions aren't perfect, either. DVDs and CDs are likely to degrade over time, and streaming services still have the benefit of turning viewers onto many shows or movies they'd never have bothered with otherwise. But as one young DVD enjoyer told the BBC, it isn't just about functionality and preservation. 'The main selling point [of DVDs] for me is the cases ... it's about having something physical you can look at instead of just scrolling through your phone mindlessly.' There's a certain feeling that comes with having something physical that you won't get by just binge-watching your favorite shows or movies, and that's a major part of why they still have plenty of appeal today. Vinyl records, in particular, have seen a massive revival among Gen Z and young millennials. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl sales have grown steadily for over a decade, with younger buyers driving the trend. The ritual of flipping a record, admiring the large album artwork, and experiencing the warm analog sound provides a sensory involvement that digital streaming cannot replicate. Similarly, VHS tapes, once considered obsolete, are now collected by niche communities for their unique aesthetic and the comfort of 'tape noise.' Even CD sales have experienced a small resurgence, as younger listeners discover the superior uncompressed audio quality and the joy of owning a complete album without relying on a subscription. The challenge remains the fragility of these formats, but for many, the trade-off is worth it.

Retro consoles and phones

It might seem impossible to live a modern life without a full smartphone, but younger generations are embracing older 'dumb' phones instead. This sort of trend is popular enough to have its own community on Reddit with over 175,000 viewers weekly, and we've even made a dedicated article on the best dumb phones you can buy. On top of being cheap and lightweight, these devices aren't squeezing owners out for every drop of data they have, allowing them to reach out to friends without giving away so much personal information to Google, Apple, or some other major company. The 'dumb phone' movement is partly a reaction to the overwhelming digital immersion and data surveillance that modern smartphones impose. Users report feeling less anxious, more present, and more connected to their physical surroundings when they switch to a phone that only calls and texts. Brands like Nokia, Punkt, and Light Phone have capitalized on this demand by releasing new models that combine retro aesthetics with essential modern features like messaging apps or GPS, but no social media or constant notifications.

While it's not quite for the same reasons, younger generations are also embracing retro gaming consoles. In this case, it's more because the best classic games are simply timeless to them, not because the older devices have so much functionality. That being said, while it's possible to enjoy some older games on modern systems, their implementation can be somewhat lacking. It's hard to be unappreciative of how well retro consoles can run their original libraries — especially for Gen Z players willing to take those consoles to their limits. Original NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis consoles (and their cartridges) offer a plug-and-play experience that emulation often fails to replicate due to input lag or graphical inaccuracies. In addition, retro consoles have become a social experience: gathering friends to play 'Mario Kart 64' or 'Super Smash Bros.' on a tube TV evokes a communal feeling that online multiplayer lacks. Thrift stores and flea markets have become treasure hunts for Gen Z collectors, and prices for popular titles have skyrocketed in recent years. Moreover, the modding community has given new life to retro hardware—adding HDMI outputs, flash cartridges, and even wireless controllers—while preserving the original processing power. This blend of vintage and modern is exactly what many younger users crave: authenticity without sacrificing too much convenience.

Point-and-shoot cameras

Smartphones have some pretty incredible cameras today, but vintage point-and-shoot cameras aren't going away. Gen Z has been pushing to make use of them in recent years, and there's a very simple reason for that: They're still fantastic, even in 2026. Rather than being designed as an extra feature for your phone, the picture-focused internals in a point-and-shoot camera are all you'll find inside one. In other words, everything about these cameras is designed to take the best photos possible. The dedicated lens, the optical zoom, the flash system—all these components work together to produce images with a distinct character that filters on a phone cannot replicate. The trend has been fueled by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where users share tips on finding affordable models like the Canon PowerShot G7 or the Fujifilm FinePix series. The 'vintage digital camera' aesthetic, with its grainy, slightly overexposed quality, has become a sought-after look for portraits, travel photography, and everyday snapshots.

In a way, these cameras are less a retro trend for Gen Z or Gen Alpha and more of an everlasting constant for aspiring photographers. Like classic games or the unique look of a CRT screen, they're timeless for many people, and their capabilities still haven't been so easily replicated or surpassed by modern alternatives. Even beyond modern technology's issues with ownership and the curiosity of younger generations, a major draw to older tech is simply that it still has plenty of fantastic benefits of its own. Point-and-shoot cameras also encourage a more deliberate, mindful approach to photography. Without the instant gratification of viewing and editing photos on a phone, users must think about composition, lighting, and film stock or sensor limitations. Many young photographers find that working within these constraints improves their skills and results in more meaningful images. Film cameras, including manual SLRs, have also seen a revival, but point-and-shoot remain popular because of their simplicity and pocketable size. The result is a hybrid culture where old hardware coexists with digital sharing—photos are taken on an aging compact camera, transferred to a computer or phone via a USB cable or memory card, then uploaded to social media with no filter needed. This cycle proves that older tech, far from being obsolete, can complement modern life in ways that today's manufacturers often overlook.

Source: SlashGear News