Forget flip phones – wired headphones are the latest outdated gadget to make a comeback.

New data from Circana's Retail Tracking Service has revealed that in the first six weeks of 2026, revenue from wired headphones was up by 20 per cent.

This follows five years of sales declines, with wireless alternatives including Apple's  AirPods, Google's Pixel Buds, and Beats' Studio Pro dominating.

Several celebrities are already on board with the retro revival, with Emma Watson, Harry Styles, Bella Hadid and Charli XCX all recently been spotted with wired earphones glue to their ears.

So, what's behind this trend?

According to Dr Omar H Fares, a lecturer in the Ted Rogers School of Retail Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, wearers might be 'yearning for an idealized version of the past.'

'Y2K fashion has been steadily making a comeback over the past few years and the use of vintage technology, like disposable cameras, is on the rise,' he explained in an article for The Conversation. 

'There are a few reasons why, including nostalgia and yearning for an idealized version of the past, doing a "digital detox" and increasing privacy concerns.'

Since Apple released its first wireless AirPods back in 2016, the Bluetooth devices have exploded in popularity. 

Now, most tech brands offer at least some form of wireless earphone, ranging from large over–ear devices, to dainty in–ear alternatives. 

While wired headphones are arguably less practical than wireless versions, they're quietly having a resurgence among celebrities and Gen Z. 

Actor Paul Mescal recently revealed his preference for wired earphones, although he admitted they were 'old–fashioned'. 

'I cannot do wireless headphones,' he said in a video for British GQ. 

'I just feel like they fall out of my ears and they're not particularly practical.'

British singer Dua Lipa is also a fan of wired headphones – although for different reasons.  

Speaking on a video for Vogue, she explained: 'I like wired headphones because I don't have to charge them.'

And it's not just celebrities who are on board with the trend – with hundreds of Gen Z explaining their love for wired headphones on TikTok. 

'Is anyone else just so over the AirPods?' TikToker @aaliya_allwood asked in a video. 

Based on the comments, it seems she's not alone. 

One user replied: 'Yes I got some wired ones last year and it was the best decision!'

And another added: 'YESSS!!! Always losing them and they don't stay in well.'

Beyond comfort and the ease of not needing to be charged, wired headphones also have an element of nostalgia, according to Dr Fares.

'Nostalgia is a complex emotion that involves reconnecting with the happy emotions of an idealized past by recalling positive memories,' he explained. 

'Over the years, marketers have realized that nostalgia is a powerful way to evoke positive emotions — so much so that nostalgia marketing has become a recognized marketing strategy. 

'It leverages positive memories and feelings associated with the past to create an emotional connection with consumers.'