Older Gadgets Resurge in UK as iPod and Walkman Sales Jump Nearly 50%
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 8
Older Gadgets Resurge in UK as iPod and Walkman Sales Jump Nearly 50%
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 8
Summary
UK demand for older tech is rising, with eBay reporting nearly 50% higher 2025 sales of iPods and Walkman players and a 48% increase in searches for iPod minis over the past year.
Back Market said iPod sales climbed 48% from 2024 to 2025, with demand for MP3 and MP4 players accelerating into 2026 alongside renewed interest in digital cameras and wired headphones.
Users say the appeal is practical as well as aesthetic: digital cameras produce a smoother, less phone-like look, wired earphones cost about £20 and offer reliable microphones, and iPods avoid constant notifications.
That pull reflects a broader reaction against modern tech, with Oxford professor Andrew Przybylski saying people want more control, fewer forced choices and a stronger sense of ownership over music, photos and other experiences.