Could Apple Bring Back The iPod For A Special Anniversary Edition?
…Apple released the iPhone Pocket a day after the iPod turned 24. That said, could the company bring back its iconic product for a special anniversary edition in 2026, when it completes 25 years?
Yes, please! Maybe it’s because I’ve been on a music rediscovery kick lately with my (new) Sony Walkman, but I think this would be an awesome idea. How cool would it be if Apple reintroduced the iPod Classic to celebrate its 25th anniversary? I don’t think they would do it, but it would be cool.
I have my old iPod Classic and it still works, so instead of having Apple bring back the old iPod Classic purely for nostalgia purposes, what if they brought back an entirely new dedicated music player? It would have to be something that entices audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With the resurgence of physical media being purchased by younger generations, I don’t see this as a stretch.
Imagine Apple releases an iPod that’s like the Classic in that it has one purpose: to play music at the highest quality possible. I think they have a real shot because younger people are buying vinyl, Blu-rays, DVDs, and old CDs to go back to a simpler time. It’s like they’re trying to experience something new, because to them, streaming services are “so yesterday.” They want to try something cool, like listening to vinyl or busting out a Sony Walkman like I did and enjoying that for an evening.
Maybe it’s not nostalgia for them but something genuinely new that sparks their interest. I think they’d be hooked because they wouldn’t have to listen to the compressed streaming quality they may be used to. Instead, they’d get high-quality lossless audio that I’m sure Apple could deliver in an iPod 2026 edition. What a cool thought experiment. I’m all in.