It might seem counterintuitive in a world dominated by streaming, instant downloads, and digital everything, but Generation Z—the cohort born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s—have developed a surprising appetite for retro technology. From vinyl records and cassette tapes to physical cameras and classic gaming consoles, young people are increasingly seeking out the tactile, the analog, and the nostalgic. According to recent reports from BBC News and the Manchester Evening News, this retro revival is more than just a quirky trend: it’s a movement that’s reshaping how music, entertainment, and even memories are experienced and valued.
On December 7, 2025, BBC News highlighted the surge in retro tech purchases among Gen Z, especially during retail events like Black Friday. Amazon UK saw a spike in sales of portable vinyl turntables, Tamagotchis, and disposable cameras. Meanwhile, major retailers like Currys and John Lewis reported significant jumps in sales of radios, instant cameras, and even alarm clocks. It’s a scene that might make anyone who grew up in the 1980s or 1990s feel a distinct sense of déjà vu.
What’s driving this nostalgia? For some, it’s about authenticity and ownership in an era where everything feels fleeting and virtual. Seventeen-year-old Declan, interviewed by BBC News, prefers DVDs over streaming services like Netflix or Disney+. “It’s nice to have something you own instead of paying for subscriptions all the time,” he said. Declan, surrounded by his grandmother’s DVD collection growing up, now curates his own. “If I lost access to streaming tomorrow, I’d still have my favourite movies ready to watch.” For Declan, the appeal isn’t just about practicality. “There’s something authentic about having DVDs. These things are generations old, it’s nice to have them available.”
For others, the allure lies in the physicality and ritual of using retro tech. Saul, a 20-year-old vinyl enthusiast, has been collecting records since 2016. Despite the average new vinyl album costing around £35—a price that might make some balk—Saul believes it’s worth every penny. “It’s a more authentic sound. The grooves on the record make it feel real, you can hear the difference,” he explained. The experience is as much about the process as the product: “You’ve got the actual cover art, and you put the disc down yourself, it’s a hands-on experience.” Saul acknowledges that vinyl’s popularity might ebb and flow with trends, but for him, the connection is personal and enduring.
Physical cameras, too, have made a surprising comeback. While most people reach for their phones to snap a quick photo, 21-year-old Aoibheann prefers the deliberate artistry of traditional cameras. “There’s something about the quality of them and the style of photo you get, it’s unmatched compared to your phone,” she told BBC News. She relishes the anticipation that film photography requires: “There’s more pressure with film because you’re not going to see the photo straight away, you have to wait. But that’s the novelty of it.” For Aoibheann, nostalgia plays a big part. “Many people are curious about the experience of using physical cameras because they grew up seeing their parents use them. Gen Z enjoys the novelty of something we don’t usually have. It’s a break from phones and instant gratification. Physical cameras are timeless. They’ll never go out of fashion because past generations relied on them.”
Gaming, too, has not escaped the retro wave. Kyle, 21, recently rediscovered the joys of his childhood PlayStation Portable (PSP), a handheld console first released in 2005 and discontinued a decade later. “It was the first game console that I grew up with, it’s a weird feeling, it’s like a home comfort, you know? It feels retro,” he said. The appeal isn’t just nostalgia—it’s also about simplicity. “When you play a modern PlayStation or Xbox, you can’t just play, you need to download updates. With a PSP, you put a game in and play.” Kyle admits the device isn’t perfect—“Obviously the screen isn’t as good, the buttons aren’t as good, it’s a lot more unreliable, but that’s not the point”—but that hasn’t stopped him from playing almost daily. “It’s more addictive than any game I’ve got on my PS5.”
The retro tech revival isn’t limited to devices—it’s also transforming the music industry. On December 6, 2025, the Manchester Evening News reported a remarkable resurgence in cassette tapes, alongside CDs and vinyl records. Research by music branding experts at Startle revealed a 204% increase in cassette tape sales in the first quarter of 2025. Surprisingly, it’s not just classic acts like The Beatles or Madonna driving demand, but modern stars such as Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey. Cassette albums from these artists are fetching staggering prices on resale platforms like eBay—sometimes up to 1,000% above their original cost. For example, Morgan Wallen’s 2021 album Dangerous now sells for about £250 per cassette, up from its original £22. Lana Del Rey’s Norman F****ng Rockwell cassettes have jumped from £15 to £188 on average, and Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN tapes have risen from £12 to £82.
Why are young people, many of whom were born after cassettes’ heyday, so drawn to them? According to Alex Tadros, owner of Mars Tapes—the last cassette shop in the UK—“Most of our customers are under 30; they buy their first cassette players through us and come back regularly to update their collections. Gen Z love the physical and fashionable element of tapes. Retro tech and trends are everywhere in popular culture, widening interest in forgotten formats.” Tadros notes that cassettes are especially popular in the underground music scene, where unsigned artists sell them at shows or online. The format is affordable to produce, easy to store, and offers a tangible connection between artist and fan.
Physical music formats have also become a vital revenue stream for artists and labels, especially as streaming services pay only fractions of a penny per play. In 2024, physical music sales saw year-on-year increases for the first time in two decades, according to Manchester Evening News. Adam Castleton, CEO of Startle, explained: “It’s fascinating to see how the nostalgia of cassette tapes is being embraced by a new generation of music fans who weren’t alive to experience them the first time around. Like vinyl records, cassettes offer an element of collectability and nostalgia that digital platforms simply can’t match. Buying a physical copy, as a form of merchandise, is not only a way of having ownership over music but also a way for fans to support the artists they love.”
For Gen Z, retro tech is more than just a passing fad or a social media trend. It’s a way to reclaim a sense of ownership, authenticity, and connection in a digital world that can often feel overwhelming and impersonal. Whether it’s the satisfying click of a cassette tape, the ritual of dropping a record onto a turntable, or the anticipation of waiting for film to develop, these analog experiences offer something that algorithms and pixels simply can’t replicate.
As retailers and artists adapt to this resurgence, it’s clear that the past has plenty of life left in it—and Gen Z is leading the charge, one vinyl groove and cassette click at a time.
