Secondhand iPods surge in popularity as Gen Z drives prices higher
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 2
Secondhand iPods surge in popularity as Gen Z drives prices higher
13 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 2
eBay searches for iPod Classic rose 25% and Nano 20% in January-October 2025, while overall iPod listings increased 30% and some models now sell for up to $600.
Young buyers are turning to the discontinued players for distraction-free listening, greater control over downloaded music and use in some schools where internet-enabled phones are banned.
Apple stopped selling iPods in 2022 after 21 years and about 450 million units, but the large resale supply has fuelled a comeback that former iPod chief Tony Fadell says merits a modern revival.
Could the iPod’s comeback signal a lasting shift toward digital minimalism, or is this just another fleeting nostalgia-driven trend among Gen Z?
As school phone bans grow, could iPods or similar devices become an official part of classroom policy—or will rising costs put them out of reach?
With Apple focused on AI-powered devices, will any tech company seize the opportunity to create a modern, distraction-free music player for the next generation?