5 vintage tech hobbies making a massive comeback in 2026

Published Jul 29, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT Tim has been covering technology for almost 20 years, in that time spanning a broad range of topics from security to product reviews. He is especially focused on the Apple ecosystem, productivity, and consumer advice. Over the years Tim has written thousands of articles, reviews, and round-ups in addition to producing video content and original photography. A graduate of journalism, he found his footing as a freelancer with a laptop and loves how he is able to work from practically anywhere. Now a Senior Editor for iPhone, Mac, and Smart Home at How-To Geek, Tim still loves to write. He can also be found crafting round-ups and productivity posts for the Zapier blog. Earlier in his career Tim spent nearly a decade as a writer and eventually Apple section editor for MakeUseOf. Tim currently lives in Brisbane, Australia. Outside of work he loves to hike and work out, play video games, and spend quality time with his wonderful partner and two cats Inka and Roger. What’s old will one day be new again; it’s a tale as old as time. This is true of nerdy hobbies that techies love, whether that’s because of the retro charm or in pursuit of a more satisfying experience that rejects the modern approach. How the turntables When Sony announced that physical disc production for PlayStation consoles would cease in 2028, the company opened an old wound for many gamers. Physical ownership of video games seems to finally be on its way out and, even if you only buy digital games, you probably have some thoughts about that. While the PC has been digital-only for decades at this point, the openness of the platform is paramount. Most games are purchased on Steam, but it’s not the only show in town. Wares can be sold on storefronts like GoG and Itch.io, or released as an executable on the publisher’s own website if necessary. That’s not the case with a closed ecosystem like the PlayStation. Physical games remain the final barrier to Sony’s complete control of the ecosystem. Nobody can take a disc away from you, and nobody can stop you selling (or buying) a used copy, or lending it to a friend. Other mediums have seen physical media decline and come back with a vengeance. Though digital subscriptions and storefronts still dominate the music world, vinyl records, CDs, and even cassette releases have been thrust back into the limelight. You don’t need to own everything you want to listen to, since digital is way more convenient, but you can support artists and invest in the physical releases that mean the most to you. The same applies to video, in a world where subscription services have become a fragmented and overpriced mess. You can buy used DVDs and Blu-Rays for 50c in thrift stores and own them forever. Ultra-HD Blu-Rays are better still, since they’re the best quality version of a show or movie you can get your hands on. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT Wireless Direct Drive Turntable The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT features a premium design with a direct drive motor, S-shaped tonearm, Bluetooth transmitter, a variable pitch control, and a track-select system. Lo-fi and “slow” photography Digital analog Credit: Ricoh Do you remember when “toy” cameras hit peak popularity around a decade or so ago? Cameras like the Holga, Diana, and their clones once hung freely from the necks of hipsters, but in recent years another trend has emerged: early digital cameras and modern point-and-shoots. The kids of today seem to love compact digital cameras from the 2000s and early 2010s. Grainy, heavily compressed JPEGs, front-facing harsh flash, and simple point-and-shoot operation are in. Modern point-and-shoots offer cleaner images thanks to vastly improved sensors, while packing in features like 4K video and flip-up screens for vlogging. They’re all relatively small, don’t require being glued to a smartphone, and remain firmly offline. They’re also cheaper than investing in an interchangeable lens camera system. At the same time, “slow” photography continues to plod along and encompasses everything from 35mm film and other analog formats to virtual analog processes. New Fuji cameras are particularly trendy for their use of “recipes” to recreate certain looks and film qualities. Of course, you can do this with any digital photo by shooting in RAW and processing with an analog film simulation tool like Spektrafilm. Ricoh GRIV Equipped with newly developed key components, including lens, image sensor, imaging engine and enhanced image stabilization, the GR IV delivers high-quality, high-resolution images with intuitive, responsive snapshot operation, all in an ultra-compact body that fits easily in pocket or purse. Dumbphones and gadget sustainability Less is more Credit: Light In the mid 2010s, smartphones were advancing at a rapid pace, but those days are over. Not only are people holding on to their smartphones for longer than ever before, more people are shunning them entirely in favor of so-called “dumbphones” instead. These aren’t devices that can’t connect to the internet or use services like Facebook and WhatsApp, but they’re far less suited to this task than modern smartphones. The primary reason for the switch is the rejection of the attention economy, as more people try to kick their doomscrolling habits and regain the lost ability to concentrate. The dumbphone movement is alive and well, with the r/Dumbphones subreddit getting almost 200,000 visitors per week. Not only are people turning to older feature phones, but many companies are producing scaled-down smartphones for this small but vocal segment of the market. This includes brands like Light, Sidephone, Dumber, Balance Phone, and Mind. There’s even a dumbphone finder website to help you find your perfect match. Many of these devices are aimed at longevity and promise long-term support. They’re generally cheaper than the latest from Apple, Google, or Samsung, though they’re not as cheap as you might think. Sidephone SP-01 Brand Sidephone Display 2.8 inches The Sidephone is a miniature smartphone in the form of a modular feature phone. It can be paired with a number of interchangeable face plates and is intended for use with a selection of curated apps. Dedicated digital music players The iPod is back Credit: Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek Gen Z has discovered the iPod, and demand is soaring. As subscriptions for services like Apple Music continue to climb in price and companies like Spotify continue to put their foot in it, artists are still selling DRM-free digital downloads (and aforementioned physical releases) on websites like Bandcamp. According to Axios, demand surged 25% for the iPod Classic in early 2026, with over 30% of purchasers being Gen Z. And who can blame them? MP3 players give you total control over the digital music you own, with none of the distractions of a smartphone. They don’t consume data or require subscriptions, and they’re compatible with the same portable batteries that most of us already own. Apple hasn’t made a new iPod since 2019, but brands like FiiO are still selling high-quality portable players in 2026. FiiO M11S The FiiO M11S gives even players twice its price a run for their money, offering audio quality and a feature set that is surprising at this price. With dual DACs and a massive battery, plus support for balanced and unbalanced output, the M11S covers any audio needs you may have. Handheld (mostly retro) gaming RAM prices got you down? Credit: Goran Damnjanovic / How-To Geek You might have noticed a pattern emerging here. Handhelds are to gaming what portable music players are to music. They offer a self-contained and focused experience where you can engage with the medium without any of the smartphone distractions. You don’t have to share your battery or swipe between apps, and you have total control over whatever you’re currently playing. The era of the handheld PC is well and truly here, from the Steam Deck through to high-end devices from ASUS and MSI that will test your budget. But you don't have to spend big, and there’s never been a better time to invest in a dedicated retro handheld device. Companies like Anbernic and Retroid Pocket offer quality, portable handhelds powered by Android or Linux. These can run everything from the lightweight classics of the NES era (and earlier) through to Dreamcast, N64, and even PlayStation 3 games (if you dig deep enough). Many of these vintage releases are light on battery, take up very little space in digital form, feature uncomplicated game design, and avoid many of the undesirable trappings of modern titles. I bought a 1TB microSD card purely for use with EmuDeck on my Steam Deck OLED, and it’s become the main reason I pick the handheld up these days (and I have no regrets). The Switch 2 is also a beast, and Nintendo heavily leans into the vintage gaming angle with its Nintendo Switch Online retro catalog. Steam Deck OLED Power Source 50Whr battery What's Included Console, charger, carrying case Elevate your gaming experience with the Steam Deck OLED. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals on the vibrant OLED display, while enjoying powerful performance and portability. Got a 3D printer? Learn how your favorite hobbies can benefit.