Remember the late ’90s when transparent gadgets were the epitome of cool? Well, they’re back, and they’re making a statement louder than ever. From the iconic Apple iMac G3 to Nintendo’s Game Boy Color, the era celebrated a unique aesthetic: technology that dared to show its inner workings. Fast forward a quarter-century, and this trend is experiencing a renaissance, but with a modern twist. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about reclaiming a sense of trust and tangibility in an increasingly opaque digital world.
But here’s where it gets controversial: In an age dominated by invisible chips, cloud computing, and AI-driven systems, does transparency in tech still matter? Or is it just a superficial nod to the past? Let’s dive in.
The ’90s weren’t the first time gadgets went see-through—mainframes and cassette tapes had done it before. But what set the late ’90s apart was the intentionality. Tech companies weren’t just exposing wires and circuits; they were redefining what it meant to be fashionable in technology. It was a rebellion against the bulky, beige, and incomprehensible devices of the past. These transparent gadgets symbolized honesty—a promise that there was nothing to hide. Buttons, switches, and spinning media were on full display, reminding users of the physical mechanics behind the magic.
Today, as we grapple with intangible technology—from microscopic chips to AI systems we can’t fully decipher—the resurgence of transparent design feels like a lifeline. It’s a way to ground ourselves in something tangible, to reconnect with the physicality of tech. Take British firm Nothing, for example. Their smartphones and earbuds feature transparent panels that reveal screws, circuit traces, and ribbons—not for functionality, but as a design statement. Their Headphone (1) takes it further, channeling a ’90s rave DJ’s vision of the future. It’s nostalgia, but it’s also a bold assertion: we still care about what’s inside.
Audio is leading the charge in this revival, with brands like Beats, Sony, and Audio Technica releasing see-through earbuds and turntables. Transparency here isn’t just aesthetic—it’s symbolic of clarity, both in sound and design. Even drone-maker DJI jumped on the bandwagon with a transparent robot vacuum cleaner, a quirky yet confident statement about cleanliness.
PC accessory maker Razer took a more complex approach, re-releasing five popular gadgets with transparent casings. But as Charlie Bolton, Razer’s global head of design, explains, it’s not as simple as it looks. ‘If you do it badly, it can look very cheap,’ he says. The challenge lies in balancing transparency with functionality, ensuring the exposed components—like colorful LEDs—enhance rather than detract from the design. Razer’s Basilisk V3 Pro mouse, for instance, combines clear panels with smoky accents and rubberized grips, avoiding the ‘grey wedge’ effect of full transparency.
And this is the part most people miss: The trend isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a response to the intangibility of modern tech. In video games, transparent consoles like modern recreations of the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 evoke a boutique, retro feel, distancing themselves from today’s digital-first, perpetually online experiences. Even the new Commodore 64 Ultimate, a recreation of the classic computer, offers a fully transparent option alongside its beige model, complete with LEDs and a manual that teaches coding.
But here’s the question: Is this trend a genuine attempt to reconnect with tangible technology, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Some argue that exposing internal components—often messy wiring or empty spaces—could backfire. Razer’s Bolton admits they didn’t rework internal parts for their transparent designs, focusing instead on exterior elements. Does this undermine the ‘honesty’ transparency promises?
As we embrace this revival, it’s worth asking: What does transparency mean in 2026? Is it a nostalgic escape, a design trend, or a deeper call for trust in technology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear if you’re team transparent or if you think it’s all just smoke and mirrors.
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Tim Biggs is a writer covering consumer technology, gadgets, and video games. Connect with him on X or via email.
