YOUR first mobile may have been cheap compared to today’s smartphones – but they could actually be worth a fortune now.
The most valuable one – the first ever iPhone before production – is worth £10,000, according to research by online marketplace LoveAntiques.
11
There are also possible cash cows for those who still have old phones by Motorola and Nokia too.
You’re most likely to have a valuable one if it’s the first model in a range, it had an unusual design or if it become associated with iconic movies.
Alternatively, you may might make a mint if it’s made from luxury materials.
Will Thomas of LoveAntiques said: “It’s almost strange to think of mobile phones as antiques, but as we outlined with our ‘antech’ category the pace of technological advancements means that a lot of them are nearing that stage.”
Top tips for collecting old mobile phones
BELOW are some tips for collectors of old mobile phones from LoveAntiques.
- Check the condition of the phone – Items in their original packaging, with their original paperwork and accessories will fetch more money.
- Find the unique selling point of the phone – Icon status and tech milestones are far more valuable than age alone
- Understand the tech – Many old phones either don’t work due to the battery or can no longer connect to a network. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but make sure to understand why it no longer works.
- Study the phones – Most importantly make sure to understand the differences between models that have barely been altered – it could make a vast difference to the price.
He added: “It is safe to say that there are some weird and wonderful models out there, some I’m sure a lot of people today wouldn’t even know were phones and yet they can be worth an enormous amount.
“Collecting tech is particularly interesting because you can almost create a timeline of how it has developed over the years, and even how it continues to develop with new advancements.”
Below LoveAntiques has listed the top 10 most valuable mobile phones that you may have at home.
The price ranges were calculated using eBay sales over the last year and valuations from an antique tech expert.
The range reflects the difference between a single slightly battered phone on its own, compared to one in good condition complete in its box.
1. Pre-production iPhone 1, £10,000+
11
The Apple iPhone was a major milestone in phone design and concept when it was released in 2007.
If you have a pre-production prototype of the model, then you’re in luck because it could be worth more than £10,000.
In fact, there are examples of auctions when the phones have sold for more than £30,000.
However, keep in mind prices can vary wildly and the phone is only worth how much someone else is willing to pay for it.
Also, be aware that there are standard iPhones with prototype software being installed being passed off as the real thing.
2. Motorola 8000x, £800-£3,500
11
The Motorola 8000X, which is also called the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, was the world’s first hand held mobile phone.
The series of mobile phones were released by Motorola between 1983 and 1994.
You could get the 8000X in three colour schemes, beige and cream, black and white, or white.
Compared to today’s standards, the phone is huge, but at the time, it was considered a less bulky option than those usually found in cars.
3. Nokia 7700, £1,000-£2,000
11
The Nokia 7700 was produced as a prototype unit in 2003 and 2004, but it was never actually released.
This explains its high estimated value of between £1,000 and £2,000.
If it had been released, it would’ve been a contender for the first ever smartphone but it’s now a sought-after collectable instead.
4. Mobira Senator NMT, £800-£2,000
11
The Mobira Senator NMT was launched by Nokia in the early 1980s, and it was the first cellular telephone made by the brand.
It weighed a heavy 22 pounds, in comparison to the two pounds of the Motorola 8000x.
The phone was marketed for in-car usage, but you could carry it around too.
5. IBM Simon Personal Communicator, £800-£2,000
11
The IBM Simon Person Communicator was released in 1994 as a handheld, touchscreen personal digital assistant.
Although the term “smartphone” was not coined after it was released, it has been retrospectively referred to as the first true smartphone.
Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, it allowed users to make phone calls, emails and featured built-in programs such as a calendar and address book.
6. Nokia Sapphire 8800, £500-£2,000
11
The Nokia 8800 was considered a luxury phone when it was released in 2005.
This was thanks to its scratch-resistant screen, light-weight nature and sophisticated slide mechanism.
It was designed in an array of colours including gold, black, silver and sapphire, of which the latter is now worth up to £2,000.
7. Technophone PC105T, £600-£1,500
11
The Technophone PC105T was released in 1986, and was marketed as the first phone to fit in a shirt pocket.
The phone was developed with a grant from the UK’s Department for Trade and Industry.
Its small size inspired government policy makers to see the mass-market potential of mobiles.
It first sold for £1,990, according to the Science Museum, which was very expensive for most people at the time.
8. Orbitel Citiphone, £600-£1,000
11
The Orbitel Citiphone is a classic brick phone released in 1987, which rarely turns up now.
It was one of the first cellphones on the UK market.
Collectors with one the phones can now expect to get between £600 and £1,000 for it, according to LoveAntiques.
9. Ericsson R290 Satellite Phone, £300-£1,000
11
Released in 1999, the Ericsson R290 Satellite Phone was one of the first satellite phones that made possible to call friends and family from afar.
It uses a foldable antenna that is the same length as the body of the telephone, and also has a built-in modem for data and fax communication.
The phones are now worth between £300 and £1,000, according to the research.
10. Rainbow StarTAC, £100-£400
11
Motorola released the StarTAC range in 1996, and it was one of the first clamshell design phones.
A multicoloured version was released in limited numbers, and it’s sometimes referred to as the United Colours of Benetton phone.
If you have one at home, it could now be worth between £100 and £400.
We round up other classic mobile phones that could net you a fortune.
Old tech and unused devices stuffed in Brits’ drawers is worth £600 on average, according to experts.
It comes as Brits have “55million of unused phones phones lying around” – and London is worst for waste.
Antiques Roadshow expert claims he ‘feels arthritis’ in his hands after VERY strong reaction to rare paintings
