With the iPhone 15’s decline, it feels like the technology is becoming obsolete at an ever-increasing rate – but that doesn’t always mean it’s losing value.
Earlier this week, DailyMail.com revealed the 10 most sought-after VHS tapes of cult classics that are fetching thousands on eBay.
Now we’ve delved into other semi-vintage technologies up for auction and found that consumers can make a generous profit on products gathering dust in their attic – provided they have the original packaging.
These forgotten gadgets included a first-generation iPod that cost $60,000 and a 1996 Tamagotchi that fetched up to $3,500.
Here are five gadgets that can help you make a small (or big) fortune when you’re ready to part ways:
DailyMail.com has taken an in-depth look at vintage technology up for auction and found that consumers can make a handsome profit on products gathering dust in their attic – provided they have the original packaging
Among those forgotten gadgets was a first-generation iPod that costs $60,000
First generation iPod: $60,000
Apple released the first iPod on October 23, 2001 – eight years before the first iPhone came out.
The device changed the way people listened to music as they no longer had to carry around lots of CDs to listen to their favorite music.
Instead, the iPod stored 1,000 songs that could be played in shuffle with the swipe of a finger.
A first-generation iPod from 2001, still sealed in its box, sold for $29,000 in a private sale early last month.
One of the first generation iPods is selling on eBay for $60,000
On eBay, some first-generation iPods are listed for around double that price, with the current highest asking price being $60,000 for a factory-sealed 1st-generation iPod Classic.
Tamagotchi: $3,500
These digital pets, which you absolutely had to feed to stay alive, debuted in Japan in 1996 before coming to the US less than a year later. The egg-shaped device cost about $18 at the time.
After a digital creature is hatched, users must care for their virtual pet as it goes through the different stages of life.
Users must feed it – either a “meal” consisting of a rice bowl or a sweet “snack” – and clean up after it goes to the toilet.
If not properly cared for, the pet will become sick and even die.
These digital pets, which you absolutely had to feed to stay alive, debuted in Japan in 1996 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 at a high price.
A set of two Tamagotchi keychains is selling on eBay for $3,500.
The wearable digital pets are now making a comeback with updated colorful graphics, the ability to wear them on 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 around $90. But eBay has one listed for $3,500
Nintendo is undoubtedly one of the most popular gaming device manufacturers around, and its Game Boys range is listed on eBay for between $100 and $18,000.
A limited edition ice blue Game Boy Pocket, the first redesigned version of the Game Boy released in 1996, is listed on eBay for $3,500, while a kiwi-colored model is listed for nearly $18,000.
The Ice Blue Nintendo Gameboy Pocket was released on September 3, 1996 for around $90.
Unlike the Gameboy, the pocket version was smaller and had a lighter form factor.
Nintendo 64 Pokemon Stadium Battle Set: $1,800
The Nintendo 64 Pokemon Stadium Battle Set allows users to see their Pokémon battles in 3D and control the digital creature like a main series handheld game
A Pokémon-themed Nintendo 64 is listed on eBay for $1,799.99.
The Nintendo 64 was released in Japan in June 1996 and in the United States in September of the same year.
The copy auctioned on eBay includes the game itself, two controllers, the transfer package and the original packaging.
The console allows users to see their Pokémon battles 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 on eBay for more than $55,000
The product includes the charging station and the carrying case
On April 3, 1973, Motorola employee Martin Cooper called New York using a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X – widely considered to be the first public cell phone call.
The device is also said to be the world’s first portable cell phone and weighs 1.75 pounds.
DynaTAC was a series of Microsoft phones in between 1983 and 1994.
The DynaTAC 8000x was the first model in the line and offered 30 minutes of talk time. It was the first cell phone to be offered commercially.
One of these cell phones is listed on eBay for more than $55,000, including the charging dock and carrying case.
VHS tapes
You could be sitting on a treasure trove of treasured childhood films.
Streaming has replaced trips to the video store, but VHS tapes are becoming increasingly popular among collectors.
Classics like “Back to the Future” and cult films like the original “Fast and the Furious” fetch thousands on eBay.
But before you run into the garage or rummage around in the attic, be careful: the condition of these belts determines the selling price.
Sorry, that copy of Aladdin you saw 50,000 times as a kid is an idiot.
According to eBay, around 250,000 VHS tapes are sold on the online sales platform every year.
Additionally, it was revealed that eBay buyers spent more than $3 million on VHS tapes.
