The Kids Yearn for Transparent Tech
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Earlier this year,Olivia Rodrigoadded atransparent cassette playerto her merch store. Justin Bieber will soon debut atransparent mp3 player. As the ’90s and Y2K nostalgia train rolls on with no sign of slowing down, it stands to reason the youth will be turning their attention to the era’s tech. Compared to the sterile chrome-and-steel aesthetic that’s been dominant for a while, many ’90s and Y2K gadgets were more fun and playful, with trendy bright colors, tactile buttons, and clear cases exposing the inner bits and bobs making the machines tick.
“The transparent look — so iconic that the cover of Chuck Klosterman’sThe Ninetiesfeatures a see-through landline phone — is reminiscent of a time in technology when everything with an on/off switch wasn’t spying on you or charging you a monthly subscription,” says Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon. “For those of us who were there, these modern odes to old tech feel like reminders that not every gadget has to feel like it’s pulled straight fromBlack Mirror.”It makes sense that along withbaggy jeansandblack capris, transparent devices are making a major comeback. Kids are bringingdigital camerasto parties and listening to music on cheap wired headphones to make their lives more analog. I’ve rounded up all the modern-day versions I’ve found below, many of which would make greatgifts for a Gen Z-er.
Cameras
New! You can now save this product for later.
Camp Snap 2
Camp Snap — maker of a digital camerathat feels like shooting on film— has released four vibrant transparent colorways: tangerine, lime, strawberry, and cerulean.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Though fully digital, the Flashback camera is built with a traditional disposable camera’s features, including a winding dial and a built-in flash. WhenMcMahon tried it, the shots he took “were better exposed, had more detail, and captured subjects in motion more clearly” than the Camp Snap.
New! You can now save this product for later.
McMahon alsotried the Paper Shoot,which comes in a few different case designs, including a transparent option. “Because all of the Paper Shoot’s components are on a single circuit board, the shells are quite thin, making the camera easy to keep in a pocket or small bag,” he writes.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Lola digital camera is equipped with nine different scene modes, including Party, Beach, Night, and Portrait.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Tombogo is a little pricier, but it packs a punch. In addition to photo- and video-taking capabilities, there are also 25 custom preset filters, five different mini-games, and even a built-in mp3 player.
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Here’s a bona fide 35-mm. film camera that captures four sequential images in one frame.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A tiny key-chain camera that doubles as a bag charm.
Headphones
New! You can now save this product for later.
According to McMahon, theNothing Ear (a) Earbudssound nearly as good as his AirPods — but with a cooler design.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The inner gears and workings of the charging case are on full display with these Beats earbuds.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Sony’s INZONE earbuds are a solid choice for gaming — and come in a fun see-through grape purple.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Or maybe you prefer agross greenhue.
New! You can now save this product for later.
If you want a pair of Surplus Research earbuds, you’ll have to keep tabs on when the Japanese brand releases a limited drop.
New! You can now save this product for later.
But if you don’t have the patience for that, these Kiwi Ears wired headphones have a similar look and are available on Amazon.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Mondo’s ANC Headphones definitely stand out from all the Apples, Sonys, and Boses out there.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Koss makes several styles of clear, retro over-the-ear headphones that are very reasonably priced.
Phones
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Nothing Phone has a sleek futuristic design.
New! You can now save this product for later.
This phone case has a retro translucent design inspired by the Apple iMacG3.
New! You can now save this product for later.
May stir up memories of talking to friends on the phone while twirling the cord around your finger.
New! You can now save this product for later.
You can also find a variety of authentically vintage see-through phones on secondhand sites like Etsy and eBay, though they’re priced considerably higher than they were back then.
Cassette players
New! You can now save this product for later.
Strategist senior editor Michael Berk’s family has been “rediscovering the humble cassette tape … in all of its fuzzy, warbly glory.” He’s been testing a variety ofcassette players, including this Retrospekt one that even comes with a pair of retro (andOlivia Rodrigo-adjacent) orange foam headphones.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Berk also tested this CP13 player in a solid compact case from mobile audio specialists FiiO.
Speakers
New! You can now save this product for later.
All the products from Swedish technology brand Transparent have a modular design so parts can be swapped out and upgraded over time.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Morning Blues’s SonicGlass A1 speaker can display real-time visual lyrics floating across its glass surface.
Power banks
New! You can now save this product for later.
Gen Z likely has no idea what the reference is for this portable power bank — it’s designed to look and function like a ’90s pager.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A battery pack, a retracting USB-C cable, and a foldable wall charger all in one.
Miscellaneous
New! You can now save this product for later.
A Tamagotchi with a clear case is basically the closest thing we have to a time-traveling device.
New! You can now save this product for later.
This analog AM/FM radio has a bunch of old-fashioned knobs and dials.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Adorn your wrist with a mere whisper of aregular old watch.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A portable Xbox player where retro aesthetics collide with 2026 graphics.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Haul out that old CD collection gathering dust in your closet and give your favorites another listen on this portable CD player.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A Kickstarter for a cooling hub for mobile devices, equipped with a fan, magnetic attachment, and six ports.
More From The Strategist
- The Strategist Fall 100
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- The Strategist Summer 100
- I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
