In a world where continuous and exponential growth is expected of our modern devices and gadgets – it can be a breath of fresh air to embrace some retro technology, and no longer have to be concerned around battery life, connectivity, or having your personal data harvested.
Having being increasingly frustrated by my own smart-watch, I’ve recently taken this leap to retro technology and have replaced the AMOLED screen with a 1.5 day battery life attached to my wrist, for an LCD screen with a 10 year battery life.
What I Gained
- Freedom from yet another cable – No more hunting for a charger on road trips or nights away from home.
- Peaceful Nights – No surprise vibrations or beeps jolting me awake because a midnight email arrived in my inbox.
- Less Mental Clutter – I’m no longer tempted to glance at my wrist every few minutes to see if I missed a notification.
What I Lost (And Why It Doesn’t Matter)
Sure, heart‑rate monitoring, music controls, and a handful of other conveniences. But the truth is, I barely used most of those features anyway.
I’m not the only one
I’ve also noticed other people moving away from modern and smart technology in favour of good old retro technology – a friend with an analogue camera who favours the tactile experience of loading a roll of film over the instant gratification of their fancy DSLR.
Content creators like GeoWizard, who swapped a high‑end smartphone for a rugged, classic Nokia – valuing durability and simplicity over endless app ecosystems.
There’s something undeniably tiring about chasing the latest tech hype: each new release brings a fresh set of alerts, firmware updates, and hidden costs (often in the form of data collection). By embracing retro devices, many of us are reclaiming control over our attention and our privacy.
The Takeaway
Choosing retro isn’t about rejecting progress; it’s about curating the tools that genuinely serve us. A ten‑year battery, an analogue face, and a lack of constant connectivity can be liberating – especially when the “smart” features you leave behind were rarely used in the first place.
If you’re feeling the fatigue of perpetual upgrades, consider swapping one modern device for a timeless alternative. You might be surprised at how much lighter your day feels.