Old iPhones are better? A viral trend is bringing back vintage Apple devices and digital cameras

iPhone

At a time when there are some of the best camera phones out there in the market like the Vivo X200 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, some people are still using old iPhones and digital cameras to click pictures. While this may sound strange, a growing trend in South Korea called Youngtro is bringing back older Apple devices and outdated digital cameras. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the movement. They suddenly have this new found love for the vintage look of these gadgets and the unique photos they produce.

New iPhones have powerful cameras, so why would anyone use an iPhone 6S or even the original iPhone SE? For many, it's about aesthetics. Some say older iPhones have a more pleasing design, reminiscent of the Steve Jobs era. Others love the way these phones capture photos, with their softer colors and unique vintage feel.

A student interviewed by The Korea Times shared, “I find the design of old iPhones from the Steve Jobs era more vintage and aesthetically pleasing than the latest models,” and another said, “The colors in photos taken with an old iPhone are more unique than those from newer models.”

The youngtro trend extends beyond old iPhones. Discontinued digital cameras are also making a comeback, and wired headphones have also returned to popularity. Even celebrities are joining the new trend, they are posting photos that highlight not just their style but the devices they’re using to capture the moment.

Unlike previous nostalgia trends, youngtro doesn’t mean giving up modern tech. Many enthusiasts carry both a new iPhone and an old one, switching between them depending on the look they want for their photos. It’s a mix of old-school charm and modern convenience.