WHILE most Americans rush to get the latest version of the iPhone when it comes out, turns out an antique phone in your back pocket can net you big bucks.
In the age of the iPhone 14, nostalgic collectors are offering up to $39,000 in cash to get their hands on unopened first-gen iPhones.
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But there are plenty of other retro phones out there that want a change, and you might already have them at home.
You can search eBay by typing in the phone’s name to see what it’s worth.
Then select the entry “sold” and look for the “highest value”.
As always, remember that any item is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
In other words, you’re not guaranteed to get a windfall just because you own a rare and historic phone.
Take a look at some of the hottest sellers on eBay and see if you could part with an item like this.
1. iPhone First Edition ($10,000)
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Apple has built a wide following of customers who regularly queue up to get the latest iPhone model.
However, it all started with the iPhone 1.
These devices can be sold for a fairly wide range depending on the quality of the item and how it will be used.
Regular iPhone first editions sell for around $70 to $100. Many sell with around 25 bids.
But if you happen to have a sealed, never-before-used iPhone, expect a huge win.
These gadgets regularly sell for $10,000 to even $50,000 on eBay.
After a total of 28 bids, an iPhone of the first edition was even sold for over 39,000 US dollars.
2. Motorola Dynatac 8000X ($1,500)
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When the Motorola Dynatac 8000X debuted, it was the world’s first portable cell phone.
Although the cell was innovative for its time, it weighed about two pounds.
The device sells for at least hundreds on eBay, but top finds sell for $1,500.
One that sold for $1,278.48 had 38 bids on eBay.
3. Nokia 8110 ($100)
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This phone might not look like much, but it’s actually a relic of a bygone era.
Or at least it made movie history in The Matrix when Neo spotted the item in a package.
Since it’s a collector’s item, a trip to eBay with the gadget could set you $60-$100 richer.
Most of them have around 15 bidders on eBay.
4. Blackberry ($70)
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In the days before the iPhone, Blackberries reigned supreme.
The devices have since become collector’s items and regularly sell for $60 to $70 on eBay.
Many sell with 10 to 15 bids.
Just remember that the actual amount you get by selling your phone will depend on the buyer’s independent evaluation of the item and its value.
5. The Flip Phone ($30)
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One phone that hasn’t appreciated in value over time is the iconic clamshell phone from the mid-2000s.
Kyocera Dura flip phones typically fetch $20 to $30 on eBay, and a whole pack of Motorola RAZRs can sell for $40. So don’t expect to get rich overnight with this device.
These usually only receive one or two bids in total.
Compared to their price when they topped the list in 2006, this isn’t really a win, but it can now give you some extra pocket money just laying around at home.
Tips for selling your old phone
Perhaps most importantly, phones are easily damaged.
So, as with any collectible item, the condition of your phone plays a big part.
The less used, the higher the value. Unsealed phones perform particularly well.
The social or cultural value of the phone also makes it worth much more than just age alone.
Most countries switched off their 1G networks decades ago. So if your phone was made before the year 2000, chances are it’s no longer working.
In this case, the value may only lie in its appearance and history.
Comics are also coveted collectibles, so we’ve put together a list of the most valuable books worth up to $75,000.
You can also earn up to $13,000 if you have one of these rare coins.
