Retro technology is experiencing a resurgence, with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently highlighting this trend in music consumption patterns. In an unexpected turn, the organization revealed that CDs, once thought to be obsolete due to streaming services like Spotify, are witnessing a revival.
The latest RIAA report indicates that during the first half of 2026, CDs earned $171.1 million in revenue, marking a 58.6% increase from approximately $107.9 million for the same period in 2025. This growth corresponds to sales of 17.5 million units, which represents a 45.7% rise compared to about 12 million units sold in the previous year.
This uptick in sales is particularly noteworthy given the struggles faced by the CD market in 2025. Last year’s comprehensive report indicated a 7.8% drop in CD revenue for the entire year, decreasing from $338.9 million in 2024 to $312.4 million in 2025. Additionally, unit sales faltered by 11.6%, declining from 33.3 million to 29.5 million.
The resurgence of CDs coincides with a broader trend of renewed interest in simpler technologies, including “dumbphones,” digital cameras, typewriters, landlines, and physical media such as CDs and vinyl records. For Generation Z, this increased demand reflects a longing for a bygone era characterized by a greater sense of control over technology, less interference from notifications, and an overall reduced presence of addictive applications and algorithms.
Numerous startups are emerging in this sector, producing landline phones like those from Tin Can, Ooma, and Pinwheel, as well as non-smartphones from companies such as Light, Dumb Co, and Minimal, along with the forthcoming BlackBerry-like Clicks. Additionally, many Gen Z consumers are acquiring vintage gadgets from thrift shops or online platforms like eBay and Retrospekt.
It’s important to acknowledge that the RIAA figures may not fully capture the trend, as they exclude sales of used CDs, including those purchased from thrift stores or garage sales, and do not account for the many CDs passed down from Gen X parents to their children.
However, there is one important consideration regarding these figures.
The RIAA adjusted its method of calculating revenue in 2025, shifting from estimated retail prices to wholesale values. Consequently, the revenue figures from 2024 and 2025 are not directly comparable. Nonetheless, unit sales—unaffected by this change—remain consistent, showing a decline from 33.3 million CDs in 2024 to 29.5 million in 2025. This suggests that CDs were already on a downward trajectory before this year’s unexpected recovery.
Vinyl sales are also on the rise. In fact, physical media revenue in the first half of 2026 soared by 25.9% to $731.5 million, driven not only by the substantial increase in CD sales but also by a 17.7% rise in vinyl revenue.
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