In homes across the country, countless drawers bury a jumble of bygone gadgets, cables, and forgotten tech. Most of us glance, toss, and move on without a second thought.
But experts now warn these drawers may conceal surprising value. What seems like obsolete clutter could become coveted collector’s treasure under the right conditions.
As the collectibles market swells, items once dismissed are now drawing sky-high bids. The U.S. collectibles sector hit an estimated $62 billion in value in 2024 and is projected to grow to $83.7 billion by 2030.
Among retro toys and first-edition books, one particular tech item from 2007 has caught expert attention.
But first, consider the broader trend: Retro Transformers figures and Star Wars action toys, if unopened, have sold for tens of thousands.
A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. once fetched $2 million. First editions of Harry Potter, originally cheap, now fetch five-figure sums.
These examples show that condition, original packaging, “as new” appearance often determines whether an object is mere memorabilia or investment-grade collectible.
So what’s the 2007 item experts urge you to look for?
It’s the first-generation iPhone, launched in 2007. While it originally went for $499, sealed examples now routinely sell for over $20,000.
More astonishingly, pristine versions might be worth $50,000 or more by 2030, if market conditions continue.
That forecast isn’t just speculation. In 2023, a sealed 8 GB first-gen iPhone brought $63,356.40 at auction. And an even rarer 4 GB version, preserved in its factory wrap, smashed records with a sale of $190,372.80.
Collectors call the original iPhone a “holy grail,” because so few survive sealed and intact. As one auction house described it: “exceedingly rare.”
Now, before you rush to list your find, experts caution to tread carefully. Document every detail, preserve packaging, and seek a professional appraisal or third-party grading before selling.
So next time you go digging beneath tangled chargers and old manuals, pause. That forgotten gadget from 2007, if kept sealed and perfect, might just be worth $50,000 or more.
Featured Image: (Canva)
