It is often said that newer gadgets are meant to be better, as the tech industry eagerly urges us to purchase their latest creations. However, this is far from a guaranteed truth. Many still hold a deep affection for older consumer electronics.
Classic stereo hi-fi receivers from the 1970s, such as those made by Marantz, may lack Bluetooth and optical inputs, but their sound quality earns them deep respect. Likewise, film cameras and printed photographs seem outdated in today’s digital world, yet companies like Fujifilm still manage to sell millions of film cameras and photo printers each year.
Retro gadgets (Photo: Alamy)
Old-fashioned mechanical keyboards have gathered a loyal following, with fierce online arguments over which key switches deliver the most satisfying click. Devices like cassette players, clock radios, and camcorders were built with durability in mind, and many find it difficult to let them go. Newer replacements somehow lack the special feel these older gadgets carried.
Sometimes, technology that leans backwards instead of pushing ahead becomes surprisingly well-loved. One example is the Fragment 8, a modern video camera designed to mimic Kodak’s iconic Super8 from 1965.
It features a chunky retro casing, limits each recording to two minutes, and even produces the signature whirring noise of the original Super8. Without being sleek or multifunctional, the Fragment 8 smashed its crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter and has now moved into production.
A representative of The Lofty Factory, the Hong Kong-based company behind the Fragment 8, explains that people today record everything with their smartphones. However, they aimed to revive the idea of recording only those truly precious moments, allowing people to focus on what matters most.
Why Retro Technology Remains Relevant Today
Questions arise about whether this yearning for older technology hints at a deeper craving for simplicity. Perhaps many now want their devices to serve fewer purposes and occupy less of their daily lives, seeking a stronger link to the physical world. Peter Leigh, who runs the Nostalgia Nerd channel on YouTube dedicated to vintage tech, holds deep scepticism towards the endless upgrade cycle.
Apple Macintosh (Photo: Alamy)
According to Leigh, the supposed improvements new phones offer are difficult to appreciate. He feels they are designed less for user benefit and more for generating another round of consumer spending, blaming the economic structures surrounding us for this pattern.
With around 300,000 subscribers, Leigh’s YouTube channel shows there is a vibrant interest in retro tech. Musician and electronics enthusiast Sam Battle has also attracted massive online audiences by crafting imaginative devices from old synthesisers and video game consoles.
Another prominent figure, YouTube sensation Marques Brownlee, introduced a six-part series titled Retro Tech back in December. This series revisited gadgets like the first Macintosh, the Sony Walkman, and the chunky DynaTAC mobile phone, drawing millions of views.
Young viewers might chuckle at these bulky, slow gadgets and marvel at how advanced GPS once seemed, yet there remains a profound sense of affection fuelled by nostalgia. Leigh points out that during the ’70s, ’80s, and even ’90s, each technological innovation felt like an extraordinary leap that captured people’s imaginations.
Combining Retro and Modern Elements in Today’s Gadgets
A number of companies now seek to tap into that deep emotional connection. Crosley, based in Kentucky, has become the largest seller of vinyl turntables by combining retro looks, affordable prices, and the ability to play old 78rpm records.
Sony marked the anniversary of the Walkman by releasing a modern player that mirrors its 1979 design. Replicas of classic 1980s home computers such as the Commodore 64, VIC-20 and ZX Spectrum also frequently make their way back to the market.
The gaming giant Atari is preparing to launch its VCS console next month, designed to resemble its 1982 Atari 2600 model. NEC has also revived its TurboGrafx-16 console, complete with 57 retro games from the early ’90s packed inside nostalgic housing.
For many, the visual appeal of these devices ties directly to treasured memories. Older individuals, in particular, associate the look of retro gadgets with their younger days, often stirring feelings of longing even when faced with the scratchy sound of a mono cassette player.
Motorola did not have any functional reason to hide a retro mode inside its latest Razr smartphone, where a few quick swipes bring up a faithful recreation of the 2004 Razr.
Similarly, Microsoft’s new Windows 10 Terminal app offers a retro-style display that mimics old CRT monitors, purely to evoke warm memories in users and draw them emotionally closer to their devices.
Bright orange-fronted L100 model from the early 1970s (Photo: Getty Images)
Timeless designs still have a strong place today. Shanling, a Chinese company, introduced a portable music player called the Q1 last year, whose design recalls the charming curves of a 1950s-style Smeg refrigerator.
JBL has released the L82 loudspeaker, strongly resembling the bright orange-fronted L100 model from the early 1970s. Some designers cleverly blend old and new influences to create unique artistic expressions.
Swedish designer Love Hulten transforms classic gaming consoles into beautifully handcrafted creations, selling them for impressive sums and drawing delighted reactions on social media.
In France, designer Julien Rivoire dreams up imaginative pieces like a curved wooden retro calculator or a foldable Winamp player, which always generate excitement. Rivoire mentions that although some colour schemes and designs once seemed odd, nostalgia has softened our view.
He acknowledges today’s focus on minimalism and premium materials but believes people remain emotionally attached to the more playful designs of older objects.
These modern takes on classic technology cannot be mistaken for sleek or discreet gadgets. They are bold, chunky and, in many cases, serve functions already covered by smartphones.
Yet human beings often find pleasure in what feels unusual or unexpected. Whether new gadgets mimic old ones or old ones are reimagined in new ways, that strong and lasting attraction will always endure.
