The $39 Kmart buy that Aussies are ditching their smartphones for as retro tech makes a huge comeback

Produced in partnership with Kmart

It seems that the grandmothers that hold onto every item they've ever owned simply because "everything comes back into fashion" may have been onto something.

While we thought we left Walkman's and video cameras in the past when smartphones started to hit shelves, it seems that they're beginning to make a comeback.

It looks like what was once the norm is now considered "retro" and if there's anything that social media loves to romanticise, it's the idea of vintage items being trendy in today's technology era.

While you would usually have to fork out hundreds for devices that went out of style decades ago, Kmart has saved the day this time around with their new range of retro tech.

If you're looking for something on the cheaper end, maybe a stocking stuffer or a classroom secret Santa gift, the Retro Wired Handset is going to be your best bet.

Even though we know have the luxury of wireless smartphones, it seems that social media has made the landline trendy again.

With a classic telephone look the $8 device easily connects to any device with a USB-C connector and adds a touch of fun to answering a phone call.

If you've got some old tapes at home you can pick up the $29 Cassette Player with built in speakers and a set of wired earphones if you want a more private listening experience.

With a belt clip you can easily attach the device and head out on a retro-style walk, and if you don't have any tapes there's also the option of either AM or FM radio!

If you're fresh out of tapes but have stacks of CDs, you can pick up a Portable CD Player for $39.

With a vintage design, the device features an LCD display, bass boost sound function and even comes with a pair of retro corded headphones.

Finally, the product that TikTok seems to be going mad over is the $39 Digital Video Recorder.

If you're feeling nostalgic looking back on your own home videos, you can now create some more with this easy to use, hand-held device.

You can record and store videos with up to 16x digital zoom, a 2-inch LCD screen and a 4gb TransFlash card included.

While it might not deliver smart-phone quality video, it seems that Aussies are still ditching their iPhones in favour of that vintage home-video look.

So if you have a vintage-loving friend or family member and you're looking for something to leave under the tree this festive season, a retro Kmart gift might be your best bet.

Product prices are current as at October 20, 2025. Availability may vary store to store, please visit kmart.com.au