Britons are being urged to check their drawers and cupboards for old mobile phones that could be worth up to £500,000, according to a refurbished iPhone expert. Muhammad Ali Tahir of Zextons told the Express that certain vintage devices, particularly the HTC Touch Diamond2, can fetch astronomical sums if found in pristine condition.
The HTC Touch Diamond2, originally designed to compete with early smartphones, has an average selling price of £542.90 on eBay according to insurance provider Protect Your Bubble. However, Tahir stated that a pristine example could sell for between £350,000 and £500,000. Typically, used ones go for around £30 to £80, depending on factors such as whether the original battery is included.
Motorola DynaTAC 8000X: The Original Brick Phone
The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, the first handheld mobile phone, was used by Motorola engineer Martin Cooper to make the first public call from a handheld mobile in New York in 1973. Tahir explained that this device could be worth £1,000 to £1,500, with top-condition examples fetching £4,000 to £10,000. The final price depends on the selling platform and the buyer; an auction could attract avid collectors willing to pay a premium.
The DynaTAC 8000X, often called the original brick phone, went on sale in 1984 and required about 10 hours of charging for just 30 minutes of talk time.
First Generation iPhones: Highly Sought After
First-generation iPhones have sold for as much as £4,795 earlier this year, according to The Sun, while others sold for £348.40 and £307.50. Tahir noted that prices vary significantly based on condition: used models range from £200 to £1,200, but some have sold for as low as £14.01. He advised sellers to research recent sales of their exact model to set realistic expectations.
In 2023, a first-generation iPhone set a record by selling for over $190,000 (approximately £144,350 today). Tahir said, "For collectors, the most sought-after phones in my opinion would probably be the earlier generation iPhones. And I think this is the case because it's quite unique to say you own one of the first iPhones ever made. Apple is such a well-known company and to own the first iPhone is quite an impressive thing to say to someone, it's like owning a classic car from Ferrari."
Tips for Selling Old Phones
Tahir offered advice for Brits looking to sell their old phones. "My advice to Brits looking to sell their old phones on eBay is to always keep delivery free for the buyer as it makes it look more appealing on the listing and I would avoid using bids purely because it's a bit of a guessing game where the final price will be. My preference is to always keep it on buy now and with patience usually someone will buy if that price is reasonable."
He recommended eBay and Facebook Marketplace as top platforms but warned sellers to watch out for time wasters on Facebook Marketplace.
