These technological products resist dying

Technology advances at a crazy pace. Blink and you will miss several new cell phones. Blink twice and you will notice that all your favorite video games are already almost indistinguishable from real life.

We are fortunate to live in a world where advancements are so rapid that we can enjoy what feels like new eras of technology every few months.

But for many inventions with which technology manages to surprise us, we still return to the old ways. Whether it's an instant camera or a reliable mechanical watch, there's a lot of value in retro technology.

Sometimes you don't want to stream all the songs ever released, so you go back to your trusty MP3 player, or you want to take your favorite physical photo with you wherever you go, so you shoot with an instant camera.

There are many reasons why someone might want to go back to the days of classic technology. Feeling a warm wave of nostalgia, for example, or simply wanting something potentially more reliable than a battery-powered watch that needs to be charged every day.

Here are five picks for tech products that are far from obsolete despite their age.

Instant camera

In a world where "Insta photos" dominate the Internet, sometimes you want to step back and enjoy what photography used to be like. Fortunately, Polaroid cameras still exist, and there are adorable versions that mimic classic models to help give you that instant gratification of having your own physical photo.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera can capture memories and give you fun, instant photos that you can take with you, decorate or frame to keep them forever in less than a minute.

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera ($ 87.95; amazon.com)

This camera comes in several different colors and prints snapshots, which are revealed before your very eyes. Photos are smaller than regular Polaroids and require special film that can be purchased online or at retail stores, but it's worth having a small piece of life captured on a physical print. Also, no one can resist these tiny photos.

Mechanical clock

How many times have you been late for work or a meeting because your alarm clock on the cell phone did not ring or a power outage affected your alarm? It has happened to all of us and we have all witnessed how easy a digital watch can start wasting time.

In today's world, sometimes being on time can mean the difference between getting the job of your dreams or not having a job. The same goes for important events. You don't want to miss a family wedding or graduation! That's where mechanical watches can come in handy.

• Sternreiter Double Bell Mechanical Alarm Clock ($ 164; amazon.com)

This attractive watch doesn't rely on power or batteries, and has chimes loud enough to make sure you're ready to start your day. In addition, it is an attractive piece if you want to show it in your home. It is magnificent, functional and reliable.

Mp3 player

Sure, it's great to have all the music you could want at your fingertips with streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify. But sometimes it also feels good to be the owner of your music.

When you buy a CD, you want to feel like it's "yours." Or, more importantly, you want to be able to listen to it without being connected to the Internet.

For many of us, there are probably not many scenarios where we are without the internet, so it won't matter. But if it happens to you and you want to listen to music, an MP3 player can come like something out of the sky.

• Apple iPod Touch, 7th generation ($ 194.95; amazon.com)

You can't go wrong with a classic iPod Touch. The latest model, the seventh generation, is affordable and a great option for storing your music.

Whether you rip your own music from CDs or buy iTunes cards to buy the tracks, you're building a portable library that you can take with you anywhere. There are many other MP3 players that offer the same opportunities, and they are fantastic items to have on hand.

Turntable

Any audiophile will tell you that there are some universal truths when it comes to music, and one of them is that vinyl records have a special sound. Vinyl generally features higher quality recordings from an album's master copy and as such there is less compression.

Vinyl is also a lossless audio format and as such the registers produce a warm sound that differs from the sharpness of digital audio. Music feels a little more "real" than when heard through other sources.

• Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Stereo Turntable ($ 99; amazon.com)

That is why a turntable is a good thing to have at home. This Audio-Technica model is affordable and stylish, and can play any disc. Furthermore, it is a trusted brand in the audio industry.

It's a small investment in terms of what you'll get out of it with the vinyl collection you'll build when you fall in love with this retro way of listening to music.

Foldable cell phone

Smart phones are highly overrated, especially when it comes to preserving your mental health. Sometimes you need to step back and take a break from the constant updates from social networks, the darkness of the news cycle or the fact of having access to knowledge from around the world. We could all benefit from less smart phones.

• Nokia 2720 Flip Phone ($ 124.99; amazon.com)

This Nokia 2720 flip phone may not be able to measure with Apple or Samsung, but it is a stylish flip phone that can make phone calls, send text messages and offers limited Internet connectivity, so you can check email and Sign in to multiple apps, but it won't take over your life.

That kind of disconnect is healthy from time to time, and you'll be grateful to have spent some time with an older phone that doesn't take time away from the rest. Sounds like a digital vacation, right?

There is nothing wrong with going back to the past to use the most reliable pieces of "outdated" technology on the market. Don't be afraid to be more analog with your life.

Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.