With the iPhone 15 dropping, it feels like technology is becoming outdated faster and faster – but that doesn’t always mean it loses value.
Earlier this week DailyMail.com revealed the 10 most sought-after cult classic VHS tapes, which are fetching thousands on eBay.
Now we’ve done a deep dive into other semi-vintage technologies up for auction, finding consumers can make a generous profit on products collecting dust in their attic – as long as they have the original packaging.
These forgotten gadgets included a first-generation iPod that is going for $60,000 and a 1996 Tamagotchi fetching up to $3,500.
Here are five gadgets from which you can make a small (or large) fortune if you’re willing to part ways:
DailyMail.com did a deep dive into vintage technologies up for auction, finding consumers can make a generous profit on products collecting dust in their attic – as long as they have the original packaging
These forgotten gadgets included a first-generation iPod that is going for $60,000
First Generation iPod: $60,000
Apple released the first iPod on October 23, 2001 – eight years before the first iPhone launched.
The device changed how people listened to music as they no longer had to carry many CDs to listen to their favorite tunes.
Instead, the iPod saved 1,000 songs that could be shuffled with a finger swipe.
A first-generation iPod still sealed in its box from 2001 was sold at auction early last month for $29,000 in a private sale.
One of the first-generation iPods is being sold for $60,000 on eBay
On eBay, some first-generation iPods are listed for around double that price, with the current highest being listed for $60,000 for a factory-sealed iPod Classic 1st Generation.
Tamagotchi: $3,500
These digital pets you had to remember to feed to keep alive came out in 1996 in Japan before coming to the US less than a year later. The egg-shaped device cost about $18 at the time.
After hatching a digital creature, users must take care of their virtual pet as it moves through the different stages of life.
Users have to feed it – either a ‘meal,’ consisting of a rice bowl or a candy ‘snack’ – and clean up after it goes to the bathroom.
If they fail to care for it correctly, the pet will get sick and even die.
These digital pets you had to remember to feed to keep alive came out in 1996 in Japan before coming to the US less than a year later. The egg-shaped device cost about $18 at the time
Bandai, the creator, revived the lovable digital pet in 2018 for around $20, but the originals are being auctioned off for a high price.
A set of two Tamagotchi keychains are being sold on eBay for $3,500.
The hand-held digital pets are making a comeback now with updated colorful graphics, the option to wear them around in a watch band, and the ability to connect with Tamagotchi users worldwide who are also in the ‘Tamaverse.’
Game Boy Pocket Limited Edition Ice Blue: $3,500
The Ice Blue Nintendo Gameboy Pocket was released on September 3, 1996 for about $90. But eBay has one listed for $3,500
Nintendo is undoubtedly one of the most popular game device makers ever, and its Game Boys line is listed on eBay for between $100 and $18,000.
A limited-edition ice blue Game Boy Pocket, the first redesigned version of the Gameboy, which came out in 1996, is listed on eBay for $3,500, while a Kiwi-colored one is listed for almost $18,000.
The Ice Blue Nintendo Gameboy Pocket was released on September 3, 1996 for about $90.
Unlike the Gameboy, the pocket version was smaller and had a lighter form factor.
Nintendo 64 Pokemon Stadium Battle Set: $1,800
Nintendo 64 Pokemon Stadium Battle Set lets users see their Pokémon battle in 3D and control the digital creature like a handheld main series game
A Pokemon-themed Nintendo 64 is being listed on eBay for $1,799.99.
The Nintendo 64 came out in June 1996 in Japan and in September of that year in the US.
The one up for auction on eBay includes the game itself, two controllers, the transfer pack, and the original box.
The console lets users see their Pokémon battle in 3D and control the digital creature like a handheld main series game.
Motorola Dynatac 8000x: $55,519
One of these cell phones is listed for more than $55,000 on eBay
The product includes the charging base and carrying bag
On April 3, 1973, Motorola employee Martin Cooper called in New York on a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X – widely regarded as the first public mobile phone call.
The device is also said to be the world’s first portable mobile phone, weighing 1.75 pounds.
DynaTAC was a series of Microsoft cell phones between 1983 and 1994.
The DynaTAC 8000x was the line’s first model and offered 30 minutes of talk time. It was the first cell phone offered commercially.
One of these cell phones is listed for more than $55,000 on eBay, including the charging base and carrying bag.
VHS tapes
You could be sitting on a treasure trove of valuable childhood movies.
Streaming has replaced trips to the video store, but VHS tapes are becoming a hot commodity among collectors.
Classics like Back to the Future and movies with a cult following like the original Fast and the Furious are fetching thousands on eBay.
But before you go sprinting to the garage or rummaging around the attic – proceed with care: the condition of these tapes is key to their sale price.
Sorry, that copy of ‘Aladdin’ you watched 50,000 times as a kid is a dud.
eBay says that around 250,000 VHS tapes are sold on the online selling platform every year.
Additionally, it revealed more than three million dollars has been spent on VHS tapes by eBay buyers.
