Few innovations in the last ten years have had a greater impact on our headphones than wireless earbuds: When the first true wireless headphones hit the market in 2015, they sparked a hype – particularly when Apple followed suit with its AirPods in 2016.
As smartphone manufacturers gradually banished the round 3.5mm jack from their devices, the floodgates opened: By 2017, half of the headphones sold at Galaxus and Digitec were wireless, and three years later, even three out of four. In the meantime, the tide has turned: 36 out of 100 headphones sold today come with a cord back to the ears – with 11 of these hybrid models playing music, podcasts, or phone calls with or without a cable. "The trend has been evident since 2025, and this year the movement has gained further momentum," says Tim Busslinger, who is responsible for the headphone range at Galaxus and Digitec.
Cables as a Fashion Statement Riding the cable wave are primarily young customers up to the age of 25: 43 percent of the headphones they bought this year dangle from copper wires. That's twice as many as in the early 2020s.
Women are also taken with wired headphones: Currently, when purchasing new headphones, they opt for such devices in 37 out of 100 cases. Among women under 25, it’s even 45 out of 100.
Celebrities, Purism, and Battery Frustration Tim sees four main reasons for the cable renaissance:
Nostalgia and celebrity factor: Justin and Hailey Bieber, Ariana Grande, Robert Pattinson, Bella Hadid, or Charli XCX show off their cables in their ears, making them fashion accessories with a Y2K aesthetic of the early 2000s. Sound purism: Music enthusiasts consider wired headphones superior when it comes to unadulterated sound. They often additionally invest in a high-quality jack adapter with a Digital-to- Analog Converter (DAC). Battery frustration: Wired models eliminate the need for charging. This is practical for those who want to use their headphones spontaneously and for long periods. Commuters or heavy users in particular get annoyed when a podcast or song is interrupted by a dead battery. Price vs. performance: Wired models with USB-C connection or 3.5mm adapter are often cheaper than Bluetooth headphones. Those keeping an eye on their wallet are more likely to buy headphones with a cable.
Whether the cable will stay long-term or end up back in the drawer remains to be seen. But today, those who sit on the bus with a cable carry not just headphones – but a stance. The message is: less battery stress, more sound, and please, no AirPods like everyone else.
Media contact:
Alex Hämmerli
Senior Public Relations Manager
Alex.Haemmerli@digitecgalaxus.ch