In a world obsessed with AI and ambient computing… people are buying flip phones.
Retro and “dumb” devices are quietly staging a billion-dollar comeback.
At first glance, they seem like hipster fads. But look closer, and the data tells a different story.
These aren’t fringe products. They’re stealth growth markets — scaling while the rest of tech chases AGI and infinite feeds.
Why Is This Happening?
I bundle retro and dumb together because they share the same energy:
Instead, they want things that feel real — physical, tactile, human. There’s comfort in simplicity. And charm in the familiar.
That’s why nostalgia hits so hard.
As I wrote in Why Millennials Are the Perfect Customer, this generation grew up in a shared cultural moment. There weren’t a million streaming options — there were five TV shows, three consoles, and one phone in the house.
It all stuck.
Which is why IP from the 90s and 2000s still runs our reboots, rebrands, and resale markets today.
This isn’t just a longing for the past. It’s a rejection of the present.
Surprising Stats from the Past’s Future
One stat blew my mind and sparked this whole rabbit hole:
Vinyls are growing at 7.1% CAGR and will hit $2.4B by 2030.
Vinyl outsold CDs. It trended on TikTok. And it’s sparked a new ritual: listening with intention.
And vinyl’s not alone.
And it’s not just style. These throwback formats are making real money.
Category | 2024 Market Size | 2030 Projection | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|
Vinyl Records | $1.6B | $2.4B | 7.1% |
Digital Camcorders | $2.07B | $3.36B | 7.3% |
Film Cameras | $720M | $950M+ | ~3.5% |
Feature Phones | $2.35B | $2.8B (est) | ~2–3% |
Fountain Pens | $956M | $1.11B | 2.5% |
These markets are growing because they’re physical, imperfect, and tactile.
They give you friction, and people love the friction.
You can hold them. You can’t doomscroll them.
The Dumbification of Tech
Beyond retro vibes, there’s a newer class of products designed to actively resist the modern internet.
Here’s what I mean:
*Not sponsored by any of these brands nor have I tried them. They are just examples.
All these tools are part of a movement:
“Help me escape the internet while still being in the world.”
The Bigger Picture
We used to think progress = more features.
Now? Consumers are realizing less is more — and they’ll pay a premium for it.
Flip phones, film cameras, vinyl records — they aren’t just nostalgia acts. They’re reactions.
In an infinite-scroll world, simplicity sells.
This isn’t a counterculture blip. It’s a billion-dollar recalibration of values:
Analog formats are becoming rituals
Minimalist tech is improving mental health
Nostalgia is driving record-breaking reboots and resale economies
They want less noise, more meaning, and something real to hold onto.
So maybe the question isn’t: “Why are these markets growing?”
maybe it’s: “What did we lose that people are trying to get back?”
Until next time,
Ajay
Ajay’s Resource Bank
A few tools and collections I’ve built (or obsessively curated) over the years:
100+ Mental Models
Mental shortcuts and thinking tools I’ve refined over the past decade. These have evolved as I’ve gained experience — pruned, updated, and battle-tested.100+ Questions
If you want better answers, ask better questions. These are the ones I keep returning to — for strategy, reflection, and unlocking stuck conversations.Startup OS
A lightweight operating system I built for running startups. I’m currently adapting it for growth teams as I scale Superpower — thinking about publishing it soon.Remote Games & Activities
Fun team-building exercises and games (many made in Canva) that actually work. Good for offsites, Zoom fatigue, or breaking the ice with distributed teams.
✅ Ajay’s “would recommend” List
These are tools and services I use personally and professionally — and recommend without hesitation:
Athyna – Offshore Hiring Done Right
I personally have worked with assistants overseas and built offshore teams. Most people get this wrong by assuming you have to go the lowest cost for automated work. Try hiring high quality, strategic people for a fraction of the cost instead.Superpower – It starts with a 100+ lab tests
I joined Superpower as Head of Growth, but I originally came on to fix my health. In return, I got a full diagnostic panel, a tailored action plan, and ongoing support that finally gave me clarity after years of flying blind.
