Why Millennials Are Collecting iPods and Vintage Game Consoles

When Apple stopped making iPods in 2022, Peter Fuller felt genuinely upset about losing his favorite way to listen to music. The UK journalist isn't alone in his love for technology that many consider obsolete.

A surprising trend is taking hold as people rediscover older gadgets that offer something modern devices can't: freedom from constant connectivity and a more tactile, ownership-based relationship with media. Sales of basic "dumb phones" among young adults jumped 148% between 2021 and 2024, according to recent research.

Peter still relies on his collection of iPods and vinyl records to enjoy music without subscription fees or buffering. "I've got my music, I want to listen to it," he explains, noting how analogue formats let him press a button and play rather than deal with ads and streaming costs.

For Miles Prower, collecting vintage gaming consoles began as a way to honor his grandmother after she passed away. He hosted a 24-hour gaming marathon to thank the hospital staff who cared for her, which sparked an unexpected passion.

That hobby turned into a business called Bring Back Retro, where Miles hosts pop-up gaming events across the UK. The gatherings bring generations together in ways modern gaming rarely does.

At one library event, an 80-year-old woman who had never played video games spent the entire day enjoying Sonic 2 on a Mega Drive console. Young kids ask Miles about the strange sounds old TVs make, while millennials light up when they recognize a TV model from their childhood bedroom.

Singh Lall collects everything from cassette players to obscure film formats like Betamax and Laserdisc. His collection sometimes appears at film events, introducing younger audiences to the physical media that shaped entertainment history.

The Ripple Effect

What started as personal nostalgia is creating genuine community connections. These collectors aren't just preserving old technology; they're building bridges between generations and offering alternatives to algorithm-driven digital fatigue.

Miles' events prove that vintage tech can be more social than its modern counterparts. People gather around glowing screens not to scroll alone, but to play together and share memories.

The collectors also demonstrate how ownership matters. With streaming services constantly removing content and requiring endless subscriptions, physical media and standalone devices offer control and permanence.

These passionate hobbyists are showing us that sometimes the best way forward is to press pause and reconnect with what made technology feel magical in the first place.

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