The old iPhone 4, released back in 2010, is unexpectedly experiencing a second life. On the secondary market and on social media, a real wave of interest has appeared. People are buying these devices not for calls, but for aesthetics, nostalgia, and vintage-style photography. TechRadar reports on this trend.

Why the iPhone 4 is back in fashion

For a new audience, mainly Generation Z, the iPhone 4 is no longer just a smartphone. It is seen as a compact aesthetic object with a 3.5-inch display, a glass back, and an aluminum frame that evokes strong nostalgia for a simpler digital era. Many people use it as a stylish accessory or as an alternative to modern cameras.

According to Compare and Recycle, a company specializing in smartphone recycling and reuse, over the past year the number of Google searches for the phrase buy iPhone 4 has increased by 979 percent. The trend is fueled by the popularity of vintage photography. The hashtag digicam has accumulated about 350 thousand videos on TikTok and around 700 thousand posts on Instagram.

Users point out that the 5-megapixel camera of the iPhone 4, despite being technically outdated compared to modern models including the iPhone 17, produces distinctive grain, softer colors, and a specific atmosphere that is difficult to replicate on newer devices.

Risks of using it in 2026

Experts from Compare and Recycle warn that returning to the iPhone 4 as a primary device involves serious security risks. The last iOS update for this model, version 7.1.2, was released in 2014. Since then, the system has not received any security patches.

They state that using such a device as a main smartphone can lead to personal data leaks.

They strongly recommend avoiding signing in with an Apple ID, not installing apps related to email, banking, or the storage of sensitive information, and using the iPhone 4 exclusively for creative purposes such as photography, viewing old photos, or as a stylish accessory.

In brief

The iPhone 4 has unexpectedly become a viral trend of 2026 thanks to nostalgia and the vintage aesthetic of its camera. Searches for buy iPhone 4 have increased by 979 percent, and the digicam hashtag has exploded on TikTok and Instagram. However, experts warn that with iOS 7.1.2 as its last update from 2014, the device is vulnerable to modern security threats. It is best used as a creative gadget rather than a primary smartphone, so that nostalgia does not turn into security problems.