Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jun 18
Gen Z Revives Old iPods as eBay Searches Jump 25%
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jun 18

Gen Z Revives Old iPods as eBay Searches Jump 25%

2 articles · Updated · Engadget · Jun 18

Summary

  • Old iPods are drawing renewed demand from younger buyers, with eBay searches up 25% for the iPod Classic and 20% for the iPod Nano.
  • Gen Z appears to be driving the shift: 32% of respondents in an informal survey were from that cohort, citing fewer distractions, more intentional listening and greater control over owned music.
  • Apple has not released a new iPod since 2019, and the devices now function less as mainstream gadgets than as a rejection of always-connected smartphone culture.
  • Prices reflect the nostalgia trade—some iPod Classic models are selling for as much as $300 on eBay despite lacking Bluetooth, high-resolution audio support and easy syncing.

Insights

Beyond nostalgia, are modern audio players a smarter buy than a pricey vintage iPod?
Is the iPod revival a fleeting trend or a true rejection of modern tech giants?