The Viral K-Trend Youngtro – South Korea’s Gen Z and Millennials Bringing Back Old iPhones and Retro Cameras

Highlights

• The Youngtro trend is reviving older iPhones and digital cameras among South Korea’s Gen Z and millennials.
• The demand for older iPhones especially the first-gen iPhone SE (2016) has surged.
• Listings for the iPhone 6S have increased by 519% in 2023 and actual sales are up by 28%.
• The trend extends to include retro gadgets like classic digital cameras and wired headphones.

A new trend is sweeping through South Korea and it’s not about the latest smartphones. Instead of chasing the newest iPhone, many millennials and Gen Z are embracing K-trend Youngtro. It is a movement that revives older iPhones and digital cameras for their nostalgic charm and vintage aesthetics.

If you are wondering why would anyone go back to an iPhone 6S or a first-gen iPhone SE when it is all about smartphones boasting powerful AI-driven cameras today? Well…. for many it seems to be all about the look of both the phone itself and the unique way it captures photos.

Some fans love the sleek, minimalist design of older iPhones, especially those from the Steve Jobs era. Others prefer the softer, raw, vintage tones these phones produce offering a more nostalgic feel compared to the ultra-processed images from modern cameras.

The demand for older iPhones especially the first-gen iPhone SE (2016) has skyrocketed. According to the Korean second-hand platform Bungaejangter, listings for the iPhone 6S surged by 519% in 2023 with actual sales increasing by 28%.

A student told The Korea Times, “I find the design of old iPhones from the Steve Jobs era more vintage and aesthetically pleasing than the latest models.” Another added, “The colours in photos taken with an old iPhone are more unique than those from newer models.”

Lee Ji-soo, 23, has even started using her old iPhone 6 as a secondary phone. “Among my peers, older iPhones are actually more popular than the latest ones.”

The Youngtro trend isn’t just about iPhones but Classic digital cameras, wired headphones and other retro gadgets are making a strong comeback. Even celebrities are jumping on board and posting photos that highlight their nostalgic tech. The trend gained even more traction in December 2023, when K-pop group NewJeans (now NJZ) filmed parts of their “Ditto” music video using a vintage digital camcorder.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Youngtro trend in South Korea about?

Answer. The Youngtro trend is reviving older iPhones and digital cameras among South Korea’s Gen Z and millennials for their nostalgic charm and vintage aesthetics.

Q2. Which older iPhone models are in high demand due to the Youngtro trend?

Answer. The demand for older iPhones, especially the first-gen iPhone SE (2016), has surged, with listings for the iPhone 6S increasing by 519% in 2023 and actual sales up by 28%.

Q3. What other retro gadgets are gaining popularity due to the Youngtro trend?

Answer. The trend extends beyond iPhones to include retro gadgets like classic digital cameras and wired headphones with even celebrities joining in and highlighting their nostalgic tech.

Also Read: Apple to launch iPhone 16 first in South Korea amid battle with Samsung

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