Gen-Z Is Buying Up Old-School iPods, And It's Not Hard To See Why

Key Points:

• Refurbished Apple iPods, particularly pre-iPod Touch models like the iPod Classic and Nano, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with sales increasing over 15% annually between 2022 and 2024, despite Apple declaring some models obsolete.
• The trend is driven not only by nostalgia and aesthetics tied to Y2K fashion but also by a desire for digital minimalism, as iPods allow users to listen to music offline without the distractions of apps, notifications, or ads common on smartphones.
• Gen Z's interest in iPods aligns with broader tech preferences, such as favoring wired headphones over wireless ones, since iPods retain built-in headphone jacks, unlike many modern smartphones.
• Using iPods supports media ownership and offline access to music, appealing to those frustrated by rising streaming service costs and the risk of losing access to streamed content, with surveys indicating many users have adopted iPods as a streaming alternative.
• The shift reflects "subscription fatigue" among younger consumers, with research showing a significant portion of 18- to 29-year-olds canceling or planning to cancel streaming subscriptions, seeking more control and cost-effective ways to enjoy music.