The age of annual iPhone upgrades as a status symbol appears to be waning, replaced by a fascinating counter-cultural trend: the intentional use of older technology. This shift is particularly evident in fashion and creative circles, where influencers and artists are making deliberate choices to use “outdated” devices.

Fashion’s embrace of retro tech is telling - Jacquemus documenting Paris Fashion Week on an iPhone 4, and the viral Brat campaign sparking nostalgia for the iPhone 5c (among many others) aptly dubbed the ‘Brat Phone’. You may also be able to notice this ‘old-tech’ touch on Loewe’s process videos, as well as clips from Doechii’s music video; Denial is a River.

Loewe - Process videos

Even more interesting is how damaged older iPhones have become a sort of anti-status symbol, with scratched screens and dents serving as badges of honor that signal a carefree, authentic lifestyle.

This trend extends beyond phones. The resurgence of wired headphones among Gen Z, the renewed interest in digital cameras and Polaroids, and the embrace of “lo-fi” aesthetic in content creation all point to a larger cultural shift. Luxury brands are also increasingly moving away from polished, high-production content in favor of more raw, authentic imagery.

The phenomenon mirrors the “quiet luxury” movement but with a tech twist. Just as wearing logo-free expensive clothing signals “I’m so rich I don’t need to show off,” using an iPhone 4 in 2025 communicates “I’m so confident in my style that I don’t need the latest technology to prove my worth.”

Taking it a step further on the same note, Kendrick Lamar’s creative communications company: pgLang has released the Light phone a while back, a phone condensed down to its bare bones - It doesn’t even have a browser.

This shift might also reflect growing anxiety about artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology. As AI becomes more prevalent, it seems like there’s a certain comfort in embracing imperfect, clearly human-created content, over the hyper-polished pursuit for perfection. Hermes has been collaborating with animators at a much higher frequency as of late, and we say it adds to the magic of the brand.

So what are you waiting for? Charge up that old iPhone of yours and have fun!