PlayStation users are the latest group of consumers to get a lesson in digital ownership. Sony has said it will stop making physical discs for new PlayStation games beginning in January 2028. The company has also said that 551 purchased movies and TV shows from StudioCanal will be removed from their video libraries Sept. 1, 2026, because of licensing agreements. The list included films such as “Terminator 2” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

That is why physical media still has a place. When you buy a digital movie, book, album or game, you are buying a license to use it under the seller’s terms, not the item itself. If you have movies your family watches every year, keep the discs and a working player. New DVD and Blu-ray players are still easy to find for under $100, which is a bargain considering they cost over $1000 when first released in the 1990s.

A landline, the old-fashioned copper wired type, is also worth reviewing before you cancel it. Many home phones today run through an internet modem. That setup may fail during a power or broadband outage unless there is battery backup. A traditional copper landline paired with a corded phone can keep working when cell service fails. Plus, it never has to be charged and can fill the communication gap if your smartphone is lost or stolen.

Do note that CenturyLink is no longer installing copper-wired landlines and will only activate one if the physical copper drop to your home is already there and fully intact. If you plan on moving, check on the availability of a traditional landline if that’s what you want. 

A fax machine may also be worth keeping. Major institutions like the IRS, insurance companies and legal offices still rely heavily on faxes. For communications with these types of organizations, you’ll find faxing gives you a speed advantage. You can skip online portals and send by fax.

Further, a fax machine is an excellent tool for managing medical care records. The healthcare industry remains one of the largest users of fax technology. If you are managing your own medical specialists or helping a loved one navigate long-term care, doctor’s offices and hospitals can instantly send and receive your records via fax without worrying about complex email encryption rules.

Finally, faxes provide an undeniable paper trail. One of the greatest features of a traditional fax is the physical “Transmission Confirmation Statement” it prints out. This receipt includes a timestamp, the receiving number and a success code. If an insurance company or government agency ever claims they “never received” your paperwork, you have instant, legally recognized proof right in your hand.

Wired headphones are making a comeback. The reasons are practical. Wired headphones cost less, do not need charging, avoid Bluetooth pairing problems and are harder to lose than wireless earbuds.

Sound quality is another reason to keep them. At the same price point, wired headphones can often deliver better audio than wireless models because the cost is going into the speakers, cable and build rather than batteries and wireless components. For travel, keep a pair in your bag along with the small adapter many newer phones require.

Film photography is experiencing a major resurgence, especially among younger generations who never stepped foot in a darkroom. Part of the appeal is the distinct aesthetic: the organic grain, softer colors and subtle imperfections that digital cameras erase.

However, there is a more modern reason to value physical photos: the rise of artificial intelligence. Today, AI editing tools can alter digital images in ways that are nearly impossible to detect. For family history, a film photograph serves as an uneditable physical record. 

The camera itself may be worth checking for resale value. While standard vintage models like a working Canon AE-1 kit commonly fetch a low hundred dollars today, certain point-and-shoot models have skyrocketed. For instance, the Yashica T4, which originally sold for under $200 in the 1990s, now regularly commands $400 to $600 from collectors, while ultra-premium models like the Contax T2 can list for well over $1,000 depending on their condition.

Before you send old electronics and related media to the recycler, look at what the item still does, its value to you and what it would cost to replace. Check whether it gives you access that a newer service can take away, whether it works in a situation where newer technology may fail and whether the model has resale value, then make your decision on whether to keep it or toss it.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.