From Vinyl to Digital Cameras: Why Gen Z Wants Physical Tech Again

Rashma recently sent me a Fortune article about Gen Z and the resurgence of physical media. She knew it would be right up my street because I’m a huge music fan and have collected a lot of records over the years.

And I mean a lot.

Some of them are more than 60 years old - older than me, honestly - and they still play fantastically well. There is something brilliant about that. Streaming platforms, formats and technology companies will come and go, but put the record on the turntable and the music is still there.

What made the article even more interesting was that I can see this trend happening in my own house.

My daughter Isla is 17 and is also a huge music fan. She has grown up with pretty much every song ever recorded instantly available through her phone, yet she wanted to discover music through vinyl.

It is definitely not the cheapest way to listen to music, but the whole experience feels so much richer.

You choose the record, take it out of the sleeve, look at the artwork, put it on the turntable and actually listen to it. You are much more likely to hear the full album rather than skipping between tracks or allowing a playlist to disappear into the background.

There is also something important about genuinely owning it. A record is yours. You can hold it, display it, share it and keep it for decades. Perhaps Isla will still be playing some of hers in 60 years’ time.

Her setup is a great combination of old and new technology. She has an Audio-Technica AT-LP3XBT fully automatic turntable connected to Edifier R1280T powered speakers. The speakers also have Bluetooth, so she can stream from her phone when she wants to.

It is a genuinely good-quality setup for around £300, without needing a separate amplifier.

My system is a bit more old school: a Technics turntable, a fairly basic Pioneer amplifier with no remote control, an Onkyo CD player that I hardly ever use and Q Acoustics floor standing speakers.

It all came from the phenomenal Richer Sounds. Anyone who wants to understand what brilliant product knowledge and customer service look like in the technology industry should visit one of its stores.

Vinyl isn’t the only example of this shift.

Isla also wanted a proper digital camera to take to Leeds Festival this August. My first reaction was probably fairly predictable: why do you need a camera when you have an iPhone?

But perhaps that misses the point.

A dedicated camera is something you pick up specifically to take photographs. You are not also checking messages, seeing notifications or immediately thinking about uploading everything. The pictures might be less technically perfect, but they can feel more distinctive, more personal and more connected to the experience.

I don’t think this renewed interest in physical products is simply nostalgia. How can it be when many of Gen Z weren’t around the first time?

It feels more like a desire for ownership, identity and something tangible. It is about slowing things down, occasionally stepping away from a screen and developing a stronger connection with the music, photographs, books and other things they genuinely care about.

There is a real opportunity here for the technology industry.

The vinyl revival isn’t just about selling more records. It creates opportunities around turntables, powered speakers, headphones, storage, accessories and simple starter systems that make good-quality audio easy to understand.

The same applies to cameras, photo printers and other dedicated products that offer a different experience from the smartphone.

The best opportunities will probably come from combining the emotional appeal of physical products with modern convenience. Isla can listen to a record and then stream from her phone through the same speakers. It doesn’t have to be retro or modern. It can be both.

Retailers also need to sell the experience rather than just the specification. “Build your first vinyl system” is much more engaging than a wall of technical information and brown boxes. Customers mainly want to understand what works together, what will sound good and what they can achieve within their budget.

So why is Connect CE writing about vinyl records and digital cameras?

Because consumer technology is an incredibly broad industry. Our experience covers AI, mobile, accessories, vision and all things audio. We understand the newest technology, but we also understand that customers don’t always want the latest product simply because it is new.

Sometimes they want speed, convenience and connectivity. Sometimes they want something physical, simple and enjoyable. Quite often, they want the best of both.

And to prove that music really does cross the generations, Isla’s current favourite vinyl is The Cure’s Seventeen Seconds. Talk about retro - it came out when I was only seven!

Currently on my turntable is You’re Gonna Need a Little Music, the fantastic third album from brilliant Leeds indie band Yard Act.

Two very different generations. Two great albums. Both sound even better on vinyl.

High tech, retro and everything in between. That is what makes this industry so interesting.