Tuesday, 27 January 2026, 9:37 am
Press Release: Compare and Recycle
In a world obsessed with owning the latest technology,
Y2K tech is making a surprising comeback, and the iPhone 4
is leading the way. Fuelled by a wave of nostalgia and a
desire for lo-fi, analogue-style content, TikTok
users are repurposing the nearly 16-year-old smartphone
as a digital camera alternative.
With #digicam
amassing more than 347,000 posts on TikTok alone, the iPhone
4 is the latest unlikely star in the resurgence of nostalgic
tech. This trend is also echoed in the recent comeback of
wired headphones, as many look to turn back the clock and
escape today’s polished, always online
aesthetic.
And it seems the trend is seeping over into
real-life purchases, with Google searches for ‘Buy iPhone
4’ skyrocketing 979% in the past year.
But now, as
demand surges, tech experts are sounding a note of caution.
Lee Elliott, chief product officer at Compare
and Recycle, warns that anyone
purchasing the iPhone 4 to use as a digital camera should
avoid uploading personal data to the device.
Lee said:
“The iPhone 4 has all the hallmarks of a great vintage
digital camera, offering lower resolution, less processed
photos that give a distinct and more authentic early 2000s
look.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
“When comparing the iPhone 4’s 5MP
camera to the latest iPhone 17’s 48MP one, it’s easy to
see the appeal of the iPhone 4 for creating an
analogue-inspired, grainy
aesthetic.
“However, unlike regular digital
cameras, the iPhone 4 comes with digital security risks
users may not expect. This is because the latest iOS version
that the iPhone 4 can support is iOS 7.1.2 – a version
released in 2014. That’s over a decade without updates or
security fixes.
“Because of this, the iPhone
4 will not be able to protect any personal data in the way
that more modern iPhones do, leaving users vulnerable to
issues like data leaks, hacking, and other security
breaches.”
How to use an iPhone 4 safely as a
digital camera
For those keen to repurpose older
iPhone models that cannot get the latest iOS updates (
iPhone 11 and below) for photography purposes, Lee shares
his top tips on how to use them without compromising
personal data:
Transfer photos
manually: Upload your photos to your laptop to
offload them using a wired connection; do not attempt to use
iCloud to back up your photos.
Avoid logging
in: Never sign into iCloud or any personal Apple
ID.
Skip sensitive apps: Do not
install email, banking, or social media apps that include
personal information.
Stay offline:
Use the device in airplane mode and don’t insert a SIM
card.
Lee adds: “Used with the correct
precautions, older iPhones can still serve a creative
purpose without exposing your personal
information.”
*According to GoogleTrends
searches for “buy iPhone 4” – data accurate as of 6th Jan
2026.
Using Scoop for work?
Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.
Join Pro Individual
Find out more