Sometimes it’s worth not disposing of old cell phones immediately: Older models sometimes bring in four-digit amounts today.

Every year, numerous new smartphones spill onto the market that have more battery power, a better camera or more storage space. But the old mobile phone doesn’t end up in the garbage right away – one or the other collects old devices in the drawer. And these could be worth a lot today.

The beginning of an era: Motorola DynaTAC 8000x
Although it bears little resemblance to today’s devices, it is the forerunner of all smartphones: the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x. Ten years after the patent was filed for it, it went on the market in 1983 for just under 4,000 US dollars as the first commercially sold mobile phone. The monster weighed 800 grams and offered a battery life of one hour – then it had to be charged for almost ten hours. The device could store a total of 30 numbers.

Today it is no longer possible to make calls with the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x via the mobile network, but the device still has a high value as a rarity. The model was once offered on eBay for a whopping 5,500 US dollars, as the online portal Techbook writes.

Cell phone with cult status: the indestructible Nokia 3310
On September 1st, 2000 the Nokia 3310 saw the light of day. It was one of the first mobile phones that could be used to send longer text messages. At the same time, the Nokia 3310 had a reputation for being indestructible. No wonder that the manufacturer even released a new edition in 2017. Due to its cult status, the mobile phone is widely used – but today it brings in 200 to 300 euros in its original packaging or in new condition.

Nokia 8110 – known from the Matrix movies
Released in 1996, the Nokia 8810 was a true revolution with its sliding cover and chrome body. The slider served to protect the keyboard, at the same time an incoming call could be accepted by sliding it back. The device also gained additional notoriety through an appearance in the Matrix film series.

If you still have a model of the Nokia 8810 lying around at home, you can earn a lot of money with it, depending on its condition. Especially in the original packaging, sums in the four-digit range are possible. Used models currently fetch between 50 and 170 euros on eBay. When it was launched on the market, the device cost a whopping 1,000 euros.

Steve Jobs is reinventing the cell phone with the iPhone 2G
The first iPhone, also known as the iPhone 2G, heralded a new era in the world of mobile communications in 2007: The classic mobile phone was soon history and the age of smartphones dawned. In the meantime, the original iPhone can no longer keep up with the newer models and is hardly needed in everyday life. However, collectors continue to gravitate towards the model, which cost $499 when it was first introduced.

If you should still find an iPhone 2G in its original packaging in your drawer, you can look forward to a large increase in value: the devices are traded on ebay for purchase prices between 1,000 and 3,000 euros. The prices for used models are a lot lower, but depending on the condition, around 100 to 200 euros can still be knocked out here.