A new gadget lets you experience a retro feel while still using your iPhone.

The Native Union Pop Phone is a fun, quirky accessory that brings old-school cool to your modern device.

Do you recall the pleasant sensation of using a traditional phone? Native Union does, and they've revived their well-known Pop Phone: a vibrant, vintage-style handset that connects to your current smartphone or computer. Inspired by the Bakelite phones of the 1950s, this item aims to make conversations more meaningful and enjoyable.

This surprisingly popular concept is simple. Just connect the handset to your device's USB-C port and begin speaking; no pairing or charging is needed. It's a wave of nostalgia that attracts attention and elevates phone calls.

Pop Phone features:

Connectivity: USB-C (compatible with iPhone 15 and later models, as well as other modern devices).

Audio: It has a high-quality speaker and microphone with noise cancellation.

Design: Available in various colors, it features an ergonomic, retro aesthetic.

Convenience: Has a built-in button for answering and ending calls.

Materials: Constructed from recycled plastics.

Why is this even a thing?

Truthfully, this is more about aesthetics than practicality. The Pop Phone fits into the growing "digital detox" and vintage technology trend. There has been a recent increase in devices attempting to replicate the "dumb phone" experience, such as the Light Phone II, the Punkt MP02, and the unexpected resurgence of numerous Nokia flip phones.

While these devices encourage complete disconnection, the Pop Phone provides a fun middle ground. It allows you to enjoy a more concentrated conversation without sacrificing your apps.

This "what's old is new" trend is intensifying. TikTok features videos of young people seriously "inventing" the concept of a shared phone line permanently installed in a home, also known as a landline. It's a unique idea to a generation that has never had one. The Pop Phone embodies that spirit; it's a rediscovered relic for a digitally connected world, an analog statement piece.

It's honestly delightfully absurd.

My initial response to the Pop Phone was, "Why?" However, the more I see younger generations idealize vintage technology, the more I understand. It's a fun, lighthearted accessory in a world of overly serious technology. It's for people who find the "invention" of the landline on TikTok humorous but won't actually install one.

Would I use it for every call? Probably not. However, I could see myself using it instead of a headset for customer support calls at my workstation if that were an option and my job. I see it as a choice for the tech-savvy fashionista, the nostalgic GenXer, or the student wishing to bring color and individuality to their dorm room. It serves as a reminder that technology does not always have to be about sleek minimalism; sometimes, it can simply be about enjoyment.