Holding onto the Past: Spain’s Love-Hate Relationship with Outdated Technology

In 2024, a study was conducted on the use and consumption of technology in Spain. The results showed that 85 percent of the population in Spain holds onto at least one device that they no longer use, such as smartphones, multimedia players, or computer accessories. Among these devices, the most commonly stored are old mobile phones, with 67 percent of Spaniards admitting to keeping one at home even though they use a newer model.

However, not everyone is content with keeping these outdated devices. Many individuals are open to the idea of getting rid of them in order to gain economic benefits from selling them, free up space at home, or ensure they will never use them again. Despite this inclination to part ways with their old technology, many people are still holding onto multiple outdated technological products, with smartphones being the most common among them.

The study was conducted by Grover, a technology rental service that sheds light on the habits of Spaniards when it comes to keeping obsolete technology at home. It revealed that almost three-quarters of the population stores multiple outdated technological products, with caution for potential future use and nostalgia being the main reasons for retaining these devices. However, many people are considering parting ways with their old technology for various reasons.