A new wave of retro tech is blending nostalgia with modern features
From blasting music on a boom box to watching a photo develop before your eyes, many people are rediscovering the imperfect charm of older gadgets that smartphones and laptops simply can’t replicate. This retro tech comeback is driven by a desire for tangible experiences and a break from endless notifications.
Tech companies are leaning into this trend, blending nostalgic design with modern functionality. Here are some of the coolest retro-inspired devices available right now, showing how the retro tech comeback is transforming everyday gadgets.
Digital typewriters offer a distraction-free writing experience
In a world full of endless notifications, tabs, doomscrolling, and other distractions, smart typewriters are carving out a niche for focused writing. These devices strip things back to the essentials: just you, a keyboard, and your words.
Freewrite ($699): Features a design inspired by classic typewriters, providing a minimalist writing experience. It includes a small screen and satisfying keys to press. Drafts sync to the cloud and can be exported to any software.
Pomera ($549): A more modern take than Freewrite’s device, Pomera looks like a compact laptop and includes helpful tools like spell check, document management, and word counts. With multiple transfer options and up to 20 hours of battery life, it balances simplicity with functionality.
Boom boxes, cassette tapes, and record players make noise again
The boom box is re-emerging as both a design statement and a functional audio device. Today’s versions pair chunky buttons, cassette decks, and oversized speakers with modern upgrades like Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries. Cassette players are also reappearing with enhancements, and record players continue to hold their popularity.
We Are Rewind ($525): A modern reimagining of the classic boom box, the GB-001 has everything you desire, but better. It keeps essential features like woofers, tweeters, a cassette player, and recorder, while adding Bluetooth and a rechargeable battery. With 104 W of power, it’s built for both nostalgia and high-quality sound.
Bumpboxx: Now live on Kickstarter, the new BB-777 is a portable boom box with a bold ’80s aesthetic and a wide range of features. It includes a powerful three-way speaker system, dual cassette decks with recording and high-speed dubbing, a built-in CD player, USB recording, and multiband radio.
Retrospekt ($99): A minimalist take on the classic Walkman-style player, this portable cassette device features all the essentials: play, rewind, fast-forward, and record. It supports both battery power and USB-C, making it a simple but modern throwback.
Kickback World ($500): This DEKO record player started shipping in January 2025 and has become popular for being a step up from traditional players. Its orange acrylic, “Swedish modernism” design offers aesthetic appeal compared to traditional suitcase-style record players.
Instant cameras capture the magic of physical photos
There’s something uniquely satisfying about holding a physical photo seconds after taking it. That sense of excitement and anticipation, combined with the imperfect beauty of film, makes each shot feel more meaningful than a quick snap on your iPhone.
Polaroid ($249): Polaroid has never stopped being popular, but it’s always innovating. The Polaroid Flip launched last year, a retro-looking instant camera with modern features like autofocus and app connectivity for remote control.
**Fujifilm ($225)**: For a hybrid camera that lets you shoot digitally and print photos, there’s the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo. It offers the best of both worlds: instant film with the flexibility of digital storage and sharing. It recently received a USB-C upgrade. In January, Fujifilm launched the Instax Mini Evo Cinema ($412), a three-in-one hybrid camera that can print images from your smartphone.
Kodak ($30): You can’t go wrong with a classic single-use, disposable camera. It’s simple, reliable, and still delivers quality photos without needing photography skills. Last year, Kodak released the “Charmera,” a miniature keychain digital camera that saves and transfers photos and videos using a USB-C cable.
Retro-inspired phones offer a break from screens
Landline phones are making a quiet comeback, especially among people seeking a break from screen-heavy communication. They’re also gaining popularity as aesthetic objects, often used as statement pieces in home décor. This facet of the retro tech comeback is particularly appealing to parents and anyone wanting to disconnect.
**Tin Can ($100)**: Inspired by the days of rushing home to use the landline, Tin Can is designed for kids. It resembles a landline phone but doesn’t require a phone jack, just Wi-Fi. Only approved people can call, and parents manage contacts through a companion app. There’s a free plan to call other Tin Can users and a $9.99/month plan for calling all approved contacts.
Clicks ($499): Announced at CES 2026, hardware company Clicks Technology debuted a smartphone that looks a lot like a BlackBerry. While Clicks’ phone has access to text messaging and productivity apps like Gmail and Slack, it doesn’t provide access to mobile games and social media, making it an enticing alternative for those looking to go back to the good old days.
**Pinwheel Home ($68)**: In July, this kid-focused tech company launched its modern take on the landline, giving kids a screenless way to stay connected. Like Tin Can, Pinwheel Home operates over Wi-Fi, and parents approve contacts through Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal. Calls between Pinwheel Home devices are free. For calling regular phone numbers, plans start at $6.99/month.
**Ooma MyPhone ($100)**: Another kid-friendly home phone option designed as a modern alternative to traditional landlines. It allows calls only between approved contacts and includes Quiet Hours, emergency alerts, and parental call log monitoring. There are no apps, internet access, texting, or social media. The home phone service plan costs $7.99/month.
The retro tech comeback is more than just a fleeting trend—it’s a response to the digital overload of modern life, offering tangible, focused, and aesthetically pleasing alternatives. Whether you’re drawn to the satisfying clack of a typewriter, the warm crackle of a record player, or the simplicity of a landline phone, there’s never been a better time to embrace the past with today’s technology.
