Old cell phones that you can make money with: a Motorola can be worth up to 2,000 euros.

We live in a hyperconnected society, where technological innovations are essential for both social interaction and communication in the workplace. This evolution has been rapid and progressive over the years; however, some users want to go back to the way things were before, that is, to dumb phones .

These devices were all the rage in the 2000s , but with advances in mobile telephony, they became obsolete. Furthermore, many of these devices are no longer manufactured , making them impossible to obtain—unless you buy them secondhand or at auction.

If we decide to buy these phones, we might find an older model at an affordable price because, truth be told, we always think they can't cost more than 100 euros, right? Wrong. Surprisingly, these phones can cost thousands of euros. One example was a sealed original iPhone that sold for 170,000 euros , but beyond this case, there are other devices that fetch the same sums if they're working properly.

The most valuable 'dumb phones' on the market

Among the most valuable of the "old glories" are the Orbitel Citiphone from 1987, the Motorola StarTac from 1996, the Ericsson R290 from 1999, and the Nokia Sapphire from 2005. But if we delve into their prices, we might end up "scandalized":

Which of these phones was the best-selling?

Another surprise. None of the aforementioned phones were the best-selling phones of their time. Topping the list is the legendary Nokia 1100, which captivated thousands of people .

This model was launched in August 2003 , it did not include a camera, nor did it have a colour screen, it had a closed keyboard to keep out dust, it had non-slip rubber edges, it cost almost 100 euros , there were 36 melodies or tones to choose from, it had the legendary Snake game and some of its features were a flashlight, clock, calendar, calculator, stopwatch and contact book.

But if we have to mention one feature in particular, the Nokia 1100 had the large BL-5C battery that allowed the phone to be used for more than a week without having to plug it into the power supply to charge it.

The shift from dumbphone to smartphone

The mobile phone enjoyed its golden age during the transition from the 20th to the 21st centuries until 2007, when everything changed . The arrival of the iPhone changed the industry forever, and small phones with physical keys and low-resolution screens began to disappear. Although, in principle, it was merely a technological change, we were actually witnessing the birth of a cultural phenomenon: hyperconnectedness to the internet and life on social networks.

Smartphones have become an inseparable companion for millions of people around the world. A device that is updated with new features every year and allows us to have all the power of a full-featured computer in the palm of our hand.

What are the benefits of these mobiles?

Since they don't have internet access , they don't have to worry about the data plan we typically pay monthly. Saving money is also a factor for many users, as it's cheaper than a smartphone, lasts longer, and uses less power. Here are some other advantages to consider:

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