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Atlantic Explores 'Upgrade Holdouts' Who Resist New Technology

other · 2026-10-06

A piece in The Atlantic examines people described as legacy users or upgrade holdouts — individuals who continue using older devices despite the inconvenience. Among the examples cited are iPhones that still have home buttons, computers dating to the Bush era, and headphones older than some technology chief executives. The article notes that this attachment persists even when it interferes with routine tasks such as sending email or navigating. The report appears in the publication's technology section.

Key facts

  • The Atlantic published an article about people who resist upgrading technology.
  • Such individuals are called legacy users or upgrade holdouts.
  • Examples include iPhones with home buttons.
  • Some holdouts use Bush-era computers.
  • Some own headphones older than certain tech CEOs.
  • The reluctance persists even when it hinders everyday tasks like emailing or navigation.
  • The article appeared in The Atlantic's technology coverage.

Entities

Institutions

  • The Atlantic

Sources