It’s funny how certain things in life come in and out of fashion. We’ve seen particular clothes gain popularity, lose popularity, then come back as retro fashion. The same can be said for many things in the technology sector too. Think about video games as one example; the old GameBoy games were so popular, then technology advanced – making them fall behind the times – but now everyone loves finding ways to play those old games again.
Perhaps the most recent example of old tech coming back as a new trend is ‘old’ cell phones. By this I mean those old-school designs with buttons, no touchscreen, and hardly any apps. There was a period of a few years that just passed where hardly any cell phone manufacturers were making old school phones. Instead, the focus was on creating devices that were packed full of as much modern cell phone tech as possible.
However, we’re starting to notice more and more old-school phones on the market right now. So, this begs the question; are they making a massive comeback? If so, why? Here are a few reasons that might explain why old-school phones are on the rise once more.
Simple Technology
Cell phone technology is advancing at such an alarming rate that certain sections of the population just can’t keep up. Senior citizens and anyone else that struggles with technology find it hard to own one of today’s modern phones. The touchscreens are too hard to get to grips with, making their life so much more difficult. As such, many old-school phones are being marketed as a cell phone for elderly with large buttons. They have very simple technology inside, and it makes them so easy for older people and non-tech savvy people to use. The buttons are big, the screens are bright, and there are no apps they need to install.
Cheap
It’s hard to find a modern cell phone for under $100 these days. If you’re an individual that needs a cell phone for its practicality – but have no need for any of the extra features – then spending over $100 is a bit of waste. These old-school phones are hitting the market at well under this threshold. You can pick some up for the price of a meal in a restaurant – they’re way cheaper, which appeals to certain demographics.
Very Robust
Another standout feature of old-school phones is that they’re very robust and hard to break. Drop a modern phone on the floor, and you have a high chance of cracking the huge screen and needing to get it fixed. These old-school phones are made of stronger stuff, which makes them a popular choice for many. Combine this with the cheapness, and you have loads of people buying old school phones when they go on holiday or to a festival. So, they can stay in contact with everyone without risking the life of their expensive phone.
As you can see, there are many reasons these old cell phones could be making a comeback. It’s funny how, in this world of super cell phone technology, these simple devices are becoming more and more popular.
[image source]
