India, Feb. 20 -- W e may be living in the age of hyper-digitisation, but a quiet throwback is taking hold. Wired earphones are clearly making a comeback. With 2026 increasingly being dubbed the new 2016, the return of these once-discarded accessories was perhaps inevitable. What was once seen as outdated now feels refreshingly analogue and cool again. No trend is complete without celebrity backing. Actor Jacob Elordi has been spotted sporting wired earphones on multiple occasions, most recently at Sydney Airport. Model Hailey Bieber was also seen wearing a pair during her recent Australia visit. Closer home, actors Neha Sharma and Mouni Roy have also plugged into the trend. Much of the resurgence has been amplified on Instagram by US-based Shelby Hull, who runs the popular account Wired It Girl. Launched in 2021 as a simple celebrity spotting page, it has since evolved into a style diary celebrating the wired comeback. The nostalgia factor is strong, especially as Y2K fashion and early-2000s tech aesthetics resurface. On Instagram alone, posts tagged #wiredearphones have crossed four million views, while Reddit threads debating their performance continue to multiply. Tech influencer Simanchal Dakua points to practical advantages. "They are easier to use and offer uninterrupted audio quality without battery concerns. This makes them ideal for audiophiles and long listening sessions. They also provide a reliable, zero-latency, plug-and-play connection, often at a lower price point than wireless alternatives," he says. Health voices are also weighing in. Urvashi Agarwal, integrative health coach and hormonal health specialist, notes, "Bluetooth earphones emit radio frequency radiation close to the head. If usage is prolonged and high, shifting back to wired earphones can be a mindful choice." For younger users, however, the appeal is as much aesthetic as functional. Lifestyle influencer Srishti Garg says the shift reflects a broader cultural mood. "I've personally gone back to wired earphones because I'm tired of perfectly curated digital life. Wired earphones and digicams feel analogue and nostalgic. Right now, with everything so perfect through AI, people are moving towards imperfections in art, textiles and culture. These earphones also give you that mysterious, cool-girl edge that really stands out," she says....