The iPod may have been discontinued a few years ago, but according to Tony Fadell, its story is far from over. The former Apple executive, who played a key role in creating the original iPod, has said that the iconic music player is quietly making a return, not through a relaunch, but through people rediscovering it on their own.
Reacting to a recent New York Times story about young users going back to iPods, Fadell wrote on X, “The #iPod is back! It never really leftNot because Apple relaunched it. But because people are digging them out of drawers and sharing their iPod with their kids, younger siblings, or nieces/nephews.” His post suggests that the renewed interest is being driven by users rather than the company.
In the same thread, he explained why the device still connects with people. “No notifications. No feeds. No algo deciding what you should hear. iPod = 1,000 songs in your pocket (THEN and NOW!) One job. Done well.” He added that the bigger takeaway is not about hardware. “Whether or not Apple ever revives the iPod as a new product, the lesson isn’t about a device, it’s about why focus matters. We need to remember why the iPod worked and was so loved and is still loved.”
The New York Times reports he was responding to talks about how several young users are moving away from streaming platforms and returning to dedicated music players. In one example, a 25-year-old woman bought a third-generation iPod Nano from an online resale platform earlier this year after growing frustrated with streaming services. She had noticed that some tracks in her playlists were no longer accessible in her region. Instead of relying on apps, she decided to purchase CDs and transfer music directly to her iPod.
For her, the experience went beyond simply listening to songs. Manually adding albums and curating playlists felt intentional. More importantly, using the iPod meant she could listen without being interrupted by alerts or pulled into other apps. She described it as grounding, a way to stay present instead of constantly switching between notifications.
Report reveals teenagers and university students are still using iPods
The article points out that this is not an isolated case. Many younger users, including teenagers and university students, are choosing older iPod models such as the Nano and Classic. Some say they like the design and colours, while others appreciate that the device has a single purpose. It plays music and nothing else.
Resale data indicates that this renewed interest is having a measurable impact. Searches for iPods on eBay have increased over the past year, and certain models are being listed at noticeably higher prices than a couple of years ago. Refurbished units, especially well-maintained Classics and Nanos, are sometimes priced far above what they originally cost in the resale market.
When Apple first introduced the iPod in 2001, it promised users the ability to carry a thousand songs in their pocket. Over the following two decades, the company released multiple versions, ranging from the compact Nano to the larger Classic with expanded storage. Eventually, as smartphones became more central to daily life, Apple moved its focus to the iPhone and phased out the iPod lineup, ending production in 2022 after selling hundreds of millions of units globally.
For now, there is no indication that Apple plans to bring back the iPod as a new product. The company has not commented on the recent discussion. Yet, as Fadell’s post makes clear, the device’s appeal is not tied to official announcements.
“The #iPod is back!” he wrote. And if current user behaviour is any indication, the comeback is being powered not by marketing campaigns, but by people who simply want to listen to music without distraction.
