Wired headphones are cool again. While I personally never abandoned them, it’s oddly satisfying to finally feel validated. But what’s driving this comeback? Let’s break it down.
@ameliabyehi Joking they just cool
The story starts in the early 2000s. When the first-gen iPhone launched, it came bundled with those iconic white wired headphones — the Apple Stereo Headset. Soon, everyone had them swinging from their necks. In the 2010s, they were as much a fashion statement as a listening device.
Then came the fall. Apple killed the headphone jack with the iPhone 7 in 2016. Bluetooth sales exploded, and the launch of AirPods made sure that wireless earbuds became the new status symbol. But after years of glitchy connections, dead batteries, disappearing earbuds, and constant charging frustrations, it seems like we’re all being reminded why wired headphones were great in the first place.
@urebestlover Apple wired headphones are iconic #headphones #moodboard #aesthetic #vibe ♬ Dark And Long – Dark Train – Underworld
Practical perks are leading the resurgence. No charging, no dropping, no lost buds. You plug in and listen, which is simple, reliable, and cost-effective. Wired headphones don’t demand £500 for a decent pair. Dua Lipa shared with Vogue in a #InTheBag segment that she carries three sets of wires on her at all times since she is always on the go, traveling for work.
And for some, they’re safer, too: Experts warn that Bluetooth devices can sometimes be intercepted, potentially exposing your listening habits and personal data. Wired headphones skip that risk entirely.
@sharcuterie_board wired headphones are much cheaper too like ughhhh #foryou #technology #apple #music ♬ Lucifer’s Waltz – Secession Studios
Fashion has noticed, too: Wired headphones are no longer just about sound. Racer Worldwide has turned them into jewelry, dangling earbuds like necklaces. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Harry Styles, Emily Ratajkowski and even Charli XCX have been spotted with cords peeking out of pockets or looped around luxury handbags. Paul Mescal told GQ, “I cannot do wireless headphones…I feel like they just fall out.”
Instagram/@lilyrosedepp
Content creator Shelby Hull told Back Market that the biggest influence is “this desire to be cool and unbothered”. “The internet is saturated with try-hard trends and influencers, the real prize is to be effortlessly cool,” she said.
And yes, Apple still sells the OG EarPods. They actually never really went away, you’re just noticing them again.
We’re done with over-complicated tech. In 2025, all we want is simplicity, reliability, and control. If this is a recession indicator, then so be it.
For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook.
Featured image credit: Instagram/@lilyrosedepp, TikTok/@whipplequincy
