40% of Canadians lean toward nostalgic tech gifts, survey finds

TORONTO — A new survey points to growing interest among Canadian consumers in older electronic devices that were hugely popular in past decades, led by the iPod music player, BlackBerry phones and classic Nintendo game consoles.

The results showed that 40% of Canadians lean toward buying tech gifts tied to memories of the past as the year-end holiday season approaches.

The trend reflects a desire among some consumers to return to physical devices and products, rather than relying entirely on digital services and modern apps.

The survey was conducted for Best Buy in partnership with Angus Reid. It included 1,500 Canadian adults and was carried out from October 16 to 20, 2026.

40% of Canadians are drawn to older technology

The Holiday Tech Gifting Report showed that nostalgia has become an influential factor in decisions to buy electronics.

Four in 10 respondents said they lean toward buying a tech gift because of its link to earlier memories.

Millennials, who grew up during the transition from traditional devices to modern digital technology, recorded the highest level of interest at 53%.

By contrast, the figure among baby boomers did not exceed 22%.

Twenty per cent of millennials also said older technology reminds them of a particular stage of their lives, compared with 11% among older adults.

These differences suggest that devices that were widespread during young people's childhood and adolescence now carry emotional value beyond their technical functions.

The iPod tops the list of devices Canadians want back

When participants were asked which older tech device they would like to see return, the iPod music player came first at 15%.

Other devices ranked high, including BlackBerry phones with physical keyboards and the Nintendo 64 and Super Nintendo game consoles.

The iPod was the top choice for 22% of Generation Z, even though many of them grew up during the spread of smartphones and music streaming services.

Millennials, for their part, preferred the Nintendo 64 and Super Nintendo consoles, at 24%.

Among baby boomers, 17% chose old VCRs and VHS tapes.

These choices reflect how each age group is tied to the technology that was part of its daily life.

Why are Canadians returning to physical products?

Nostalgia was not the only reason behind the renewed interest in older devices.

About a third of participants said that owning products in physical form is the main reason they are drawn to traditional technology.

This differs from the modern digital services model, which often relies on subscriptions and access to content online.

Some consumers may prefer to keep physical copies of music, films and video games, rather than depend on online libraries whose contents change over time.

The survey showed that 23% of Canadians bought music, films or games in physical formats over the past 12 months.

Millennials were the most likely to make such purchases, at 32%, followed by Generation Z at 30%.

Nearly half of Canadians are considering tech gifts

The survey found that 46% of respondents are considering giving a tech device or product as a gift this holiday season.

However, the results showed that consumers are not looking only for the newest or most advanced devices.

Forty-six per cent said regular use of the gift is a key factor when deciding what to buy.

The same share gave importance to how well the gift matches the interests of the person receiving it.

Value for money was a main factor for 36%, while 30% focused on a product's ability to last for many years.

These results show that practical function and personal value have become important factors in choosing electronic gifts.

Clear differences between generations when choosing devices

The report showed that ease of setup and use matters to varying degrees across age groups.

Twenty-four per cent of baby boomers said ease of setup is a key factor when choosing a tech gift.

By contrast, the figure was only 9% among Generation Z.

This difference may reflect varying digital experience and habits in technology use between generations.

It also shows that companies and stores may need to take different needs into account when marketing devices during the shopping season.

Will BlackBerry phones and iPods return to the market?

Despite the popularity the survey showed, its results do not mean there are official plans to reproduce older devices that are no longer manufactured.

The interest may be tied to buying used or refurbished devices, or to buying new products that revive classic designs and functions.

The results reflect broader interest in technology that gives users a sense of ownership and personal connection, rather than settling for digital services alone.

As the 2026 year-end shopping season nears, it appears that some Canadians are looking not only for the latest innovations, but for devices that bring back memories of years past.