WHILE most Americans rush to get the latest version of the iPhone when it comes out, it turns out that having an antique phone in your back pocket could land you some serious cash.
In the age of iPhone 14, nostalgic collectors are offering cash amounts up to $39,000 to get their hands on unopened first-generation iPhones.
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But there are plenty of other retro phones going for some pretty change, and you might have them already at home.
You can search eBay by putting in the phone's name to see what it's worth.
Then, choose the "sold" listing and search for the "highest value."
As always, keep in mind that any item is only worth how much someone else is willing to pay for it.
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In other words, you're not guaranteed to get a windfall just by owning a rare and historic phone.
Take a look at some of the hottest sellers on eBay, and consider if you could part ways with such an item.
1. iPhone first edition ($10,000)
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Apple has created a widespread following of customers who regularly line up to get the newest model of iPhone.
However, the iPhone 1 is where it all began.
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These devices can sell for a pretty big range depending on the quality of the item and how used it is.
Regular iPhone first editions are selling 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 profit.
These gadgets are consistently being sold on eBay for $10,000 to even $50,000.
One first-edition iPhone even sold for over $39,000 after a total of 28 bids.
2. Motorola Dynatac 8000X ($1,500)
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When the Motorola Dynatac 8000X debuted, it was the world’s first portable mobile phone.
While innovative for its time, the cell weighed around two pounds.
On eBay, the device sells for hundreds at least, but top finds are priced at $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 discovered the item inside a package.
Because it’s a collector’s item, a trip to eBay with the gadget could find you $60 to $100 richer.
Most of these have around 15 bidders on eBay.
4. Blackberry ($70)
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Back in the days pre-iPhone, Blackberrys ruled supreme.
Now the devices have become a collector’s item, and they regularly go on eBay for $60 to $70.
Many sell with 10 to 15 bids.
Just remember the actual amount you get from selling your phone depends on the buyer’s independent appraisal of the item and its value.
5. The flip phone ($30)
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One phone that has not grown in value over time is the iconic mid-2000s flip phone.
The Kyocera Dura flip phones tend to bring in $20 to $30 on eBay, and an entire pack of Motorola RAZRs can go for $40, so don’t expect this one to make you rich overnight.
These tend to only get one or two bids overall.
Compared to their price when they reigned supreme in 2006, this is not really a profit, but it can lend you some extra spending money now if it’s just lying at home.
Tips for selling your old phone
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that phones can be easily damaged.
So, like with any collectible, the condition of the phone you have matters a lot.
The less used, the greater the value. Unsealed phones do especially well.
The phone’s societal or cultural value will also make it worth a lot more than just by looking at its age alone.
Most countries turned off their 1G networks decades ago, so this means if your phone was made before 2000, it’s very possible it will no longer actually work.
In this case, the value might just be in its appearance and history.
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Comic books are also intensely sought-after collectible items, so we compiled a list of the most valuable ones worth up to $75,000.
You can also earn up to $13,000 if you have one of these rare coins.
