The quiet but rising return of compact cameras has shifted the way we perceive modern photography. While many prefer to buy a higher-megapixel camera, many are quitting this trend sooner than we thought. Models such as the Canon S95, Fujifilm FinePix F10, or iPod Touch are now preferred by a segment of niche users. Joining this fray are vintage iPhones launched between 2007 and 2013. Why? Let’s find out.
When the iPhone was launched in 2007, the company changed how we consume mobile photography. Today, some of the highest-end models in the mobile photography world seem to have been driven by the innovations Apple achieved in a small period of time. In fact, almost two decades after its launch, we are back enjoying the original devices. Models such as the original iPhone, iPhone 4, and the iPhone 5s, are all being enjoyed by users around the world.
A quick look on Reddit reveals that many aficionados of vintage cameras have devices to try older phones. They instantly like them over the ultra-sharp devices that we see today. In one post by Redditor Munro_McLaren, the user questions how his iPhone 5s took a much better image than his iPhone 15.
Mario is not the only user; other people have also taken to Reddit and Instagram to share the images they have made using these devices. One of the most common comments is how “computational photography” has affected the quality of the photos. While these models are quite difficult to use today for day-to-day chores, they are considered important for those who are tired of modern mobile photography. For instance, older millennials and Gen Z are a few people who will use this for nostalgia or get images that appear grainy and have a different color palette.
In addition, it’s this unpredictability and the lack of AI that makes vintage iPhones such a hit amongst some groups. These devices were created to capture everyday moments, without getting distracted by the amount of edits or corrections that AI does for you today. An image, in essence, looks exactly like what you shot, without the hindrance of some tech running to correct your images. In fact, the lower megapixel, LED flash, and a few filters from the older phones are what many Gen Z photographers are going after.
In addition to more creative freedom, these iPhones do not cost that much. An original iPhone is available on eBay for between $30 and $299, depending on the storage capacity. Similarly, iPhone 4 and 5 and their S versions also vary from $20 to $100. The original versions are more popular because they are far older and the first model in the entire series. So the demand is naturally higher in some cases than in others.
Considering that a new iPhone (between iPhone 15 and 16 Pro Max) can cost anywhere between $700 and $1000, many are finding ways to buy older models and hold a piece of history. In a way, many want to reclaim the authenticity of photography, something which AI has been disrupting, with every model relying on it. However, how long this trend lasts depends on two things: the integration of AI and the downfall of modern technology. If this continues, then we may have more people turning back to simpler times.