10 Reasons Why Gen Zs Loves Retro Tech & Their 10 Favorite Items
What's Going On With Gen Z?
In an age of hyper connectivity, Gen Z is doing something surprising: many of them are rejecting new technology for older, simpler gadgets. Whether drawn by their tactile nature, nostalgia, or the need for a digital detox, it's an intentional move that surprises older generations. Here are 10 reasons why Gen Z is looking backward and 10 of their favorite retro devices.
1. It's Tangible
In a world where everything is a touchscreen, there's something nice about different tactile sensations. Retro gadgets are a visceral experience, with buttons that click and make sounds when pressed.
2. Digital Overload
Gen Zs have grown up with constant connectivity. For them, old tech like "dumb" flip phones and offline video games is a way to disconnect, providing a digital detox.
3. Aesthetic
Retro tech items have become fashionable and cool, often linked to the Y2K revival. They act as a statement piece, adding a unique character to an outfit.
4. Nostalgia
Maybe Gen Zs vaguely remember early 2000s tech, but even if they don't personally have a connection to it, it acts as "historic nostalgia" for an era before their time. It helps them connect to simpler times.
5. Sense of Ownership
Because everything is digital now, new technology doesn't let you own things in the same way. Many Gen Zs appreciate physically owning things like DVDs or vinyl records. What's more, they have a collectible quality to them that a subscription just doesn't provide.
6. Community
Being into physical media can provide community. Although digital media like online gaming bring people together virtually, connecting over a niche interest like retro tech does it differently.
7. Affordability
Certain old tech, like early 2000s gaming consoles and point-and-shoot cameras, is very affordable. You can find them in thrift stores or online for next to nothing, especially compared to new tech, so it fits a teen's or young adult's budget.
8. Individuality
Choosing older, simpler technology is a distinct lifestyle choice for Gen Zs. It's a way to embrace individuality and showcase their uniqueness.
9. Intentionality
Unsing retro technology requires more deliberate engagement rather than something like mindless scrolling. For example, instead of putting on an endless Spotify playlist, you must deliberately choose a record, flip it, and change it when it finishes.
10. Rebellion
Choosing retro gadgets in a world where modern media and big tech companies are dominant is a form of rebellion. It goes against the status quo and is not mainstream.
Now that we've covered the ten biggest reasons Gen Zs are opting for retro technology, let's talk about the most popular options.
1. Point & Shoot Digital Cameras
You may have seen some young people at a club or bar taking pictures with one of those early digital cameras and had to double-take. Gen Zs no doubt have superior cameras on their phones, but they would say that the photos they get with these point-and-shoots have a special flavor you just can't get from a phone.
2. Flip Phones
It became a trend among Gen Zs to opt for "dumb" flip phones, which only allow texting a calling over smartphones with apps and internet. This is a conscious choice driven by mental health, the need for a digital detox, and reduced screen time.
3. Game Boys
Early Game Boys with physical cartridges, tactile buttons, and endless gameplay are super appealing to Gen Zs. They have a secondhand nostalgic quality to them and are a way to disconnect, providing a stable and predictable experience that relieves stress.
4. Polaroid Cameras
Gen Zs love Polaroid cameras, even though half the time, the photo gets over- or underexposed. It's about the imperfect, the tactile experience, and having a tangible representation of a moment that can be kept or shared.
5. Film Cameras
Analog cameras require some know-how to use, but maybe it's precisely that learning curve that makes them appealing. There's also the fact that you're forced to wait until you fill a whole roll of film and get it developed before you have any idea how the photos look, meaning there's no instant gratification.
6. CRT TVs
CRT TVs certainly don't have better image quality than new ones. So, why do Gen Zs like them? It's because they work better with old gaming consoles and because of a general cultural nostalgia for simpler times.
7. DVDs
Weirdly, a lot of DVD collectors are Gen Zs. For them, there's something much nicer about leafing through a shelf full of DVDs, bringing home some treasures, than scrolling through Netflix.
8. Vinyl
The vinyl revival started with Millennials, but Gen Zs have taken the baton. They love the tactile sensation of placing the needle on the track and physically owning their favorite albums.
9. CDs
CDs have made a comeback among Gen Zs as well. They've embraced them for their aesthetic quality, nostalgia, ways to connect more deeply with artists, and as objects to collect and display.
10. Cassettes
Today, at concerts of current bands, you can buy cassettes. Part of the reason for this is that they are very cheap to produce and to buy, but also, it's their novelty, aesthetic appeal, and collectability.
