Collectors pay more and more money for old cell phones: which are the most affordable models?

In the world of Mobile technologythe latest models that integrate cameras high resolution, french fries with greater processing capacity and even artificial intelligence They managed to quickly eclipse their predecessors. However there is growth fascination with old cell phoneswhich marked an era for 40 years.

Despite its limited but appealing features, like those models with “lid”, removable battery or those that were shaped like a suitcase; These devices have earned a special place in the hearts of collectors, who They pay up to $4,000 to have one in your shop window.

THE nostalgia, iconic design and history What they contain are just some of the reasons why old cell phones are a sensation among fans of the evolution of technology.

So, what are the models of old cell phones most coveted by collectors.

DynaTAC8000x

If it’s about iconic phones, there’s the pioneer Motorola DynaTAC8000x. It is valuable because it was the first mobile device to be marketed, back in the day 1983.

It was a large, rectangular device, with a retractable antenna on top. In fact, its shape earned it its nickname “brick”.

The phone had a rechargeable battery that provided about 30 minutes of talk time and 8 hours of standby time. Fully charging the battery took several hours.

Adam McDonald, host of the program Aussie Pickers – the Australian adaptation of the collecting reality show American Pickers – assures that collectors are willing to pay up to $4,000 dollars for a DynaTAC 8000x.

iPhone1

Perhaps it is even obvious, and if it is not, at least it is indisputable that the iPhone started the smartphone revolution.

The first-generation iPhone stood out for its minimalist and elegant design, with a 3.5-inch touch screen and a single physical button on the front. Its rear casing was made of aluminum and had a 2-megapixel camera on the back.

Likewise, the team had the first version of the iOS operating system (formerly known as iPhone OS). Its intuitive touch interface laid the foundation for most modern smartphones.

Its price currently varies, but anyone who has one in good condition could easily sell it for up to a few $1,000 dollarsaccording to some auction houses.

Nokia Mobira Talkman

This was the Nokia’s first “mobile phone”.. Unlike its predecessor, the Nokia Mobira Senator, which was designed to be installed in a car, the Finnish manufacturer Nokia has opted for portability, opting for total portability by attaching the headset to the briefcase.

To take its dimensions into consideration, the Nokia Mobira Talkman was 35 x 15 x 45 centimeters (width x height x depth) and weighed 5 kilograms compared to modern mobile phones. It had a retractable antenna and a small screen.

The Talkman’s battery was rechargeable and allowed for approximately 30 minutes of talk time and up to 10 hours in standby mode.

If you have one in good condition, it may sell for a few $800 dollars.

Nokia 8110 or Nokia Matrix

The phone that became a hit in the late 90s thanks to its appearance in The matrix. He has also been directly identified as “Neo” due to the influence of the Wachowski brothers’ film on pop culture.

The Nokia 8110 has a distinctive design with a curved shape and a sliding keypad. When the keypad was closed, the phone had an oval shape that resembled a banana peel. Sliding the keyboard down revealed the screen and number pad.

Unlike its relaunch in 2018, the original version was a GSM phone that offered mobile connectivity in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands. It had a removable and rechargeable battery.

It is important to note that the original Nokia 8110 did not have a camera, as it was released in an era where cell phones usually did not include cameras.

Anyone who still owns one of these phones from the pre-smartphone era could sell it for at least $200 dollars.

Motorola Star Tac 130

Another classic cell phone highly sought after by collectors. The series StarTac Motorola set the tone that popularized flip phone-type cell phones that are currently having something of a renaissance with foldable models, such as the Motorola Razr in the early 2000s and its subsequent relaunch in 2019.

Precisely, one of the most notable features of the StarTAC 130 is its foldable form factor. It could be opened and closed like a flip phone, making it more compact and easier to carry.

Unlike many of its predecessors, the StarTAC 130 was equipped with an internal antenna, which improved its aesthetic appearance and made it more convenient for everyday use.

It had a small screen and a physical number pad on the front of the device. The screen was not in color and was quite plain compared to modern screens.

It had a removable battery that provided adequate autonomy for the time. However, compared to modern phone batteries, battery life was relatively limited.

Currently, one of these phones can be sold for up to $450 dollars on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or eBay or 150,000 pesos in the Mercado Libre

Ericsson T10

With the turn of the millennium, another device followed the design of the StarTac 130 flip phone. The Swedish company Ericsson launched the Model T10 which proved, among other things, that cell phones could colors to show personality. On top of that, he had a wide range of tones that significantly differentiated him from his competitors.

Like other models of the late 1990s, the Ericsson T10c weighed 135 grams and had a monochrome screen. It had vibrations, ringtones and even a tune composer.

But for auctioneers there is no need to delude themselves about its price: most estimated it approximately $100 dollars.

Nokia7700

An authentic piece desired by collectors. Nokia announced the model 7700 as a cutting-edge device, with a color screen and several functions, including the possibility of being a receiver of streaming signals.

But its design did not satisfy users, and after the failure of the N-Gage in 2003, the first gamer’s cell phone in history; Nokia decided to cancel it in 2004 and it never made it to the market.

Collectors pay for one of these relics up to $2000 dollars.

The most expensive iPhone in the world

Last July the American auction house LCG Auctions put up for auction a First generation iPhone (2007), the first presented by Steve Jobs, in a closed box and with its protective film. Initially it was estimated that the auction would close with bids between 50,000 and 100,000 dollars, although the forecasts were exceeded, almost doubling the price of the lot.

In this case the final offer made with the precious unit reached the figure of $190,372.80an unthinkable cost except for a collector or enthusiast of Apple products.

The last such precedent dates back to February 2023, when the same entity sold another pristine Apple phone more than 63 thousand dollars.

This type of cell phone is highly sought after by collectors because not many phones were produced. Most people decided to buy the 8GB version, which was released around the same time, because it had double the storage and only cost $100 more.