Old but gold: why you shouldn’t always rush to ditch your old devices

While things like cars, clothing, or furniture becoming vintage collectibles are no surprise, what about older tech devices?

Considering that the history of tech devices is comparatively short, can we already say that vintage tech devices exist? Can the first mobile phones we owned be seen as vintage? How valuable are they, and is older technology something worth investing in?

Social media networks and reseller platforms hint that people are interested in buying and selling older technology devices. But what do we know about "aged" technology?

When do items become vintage or antique?

Generally, items that include clothing, jewelry, furniture, etc., follow an "established" classification. Things that are at least 20 years old but less than 100 are known as vintage.

Meanwhile, antiquities are items that are at least 100 years old, with retro items referring to something that has been created recently but according to the fashion of the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and very early 2000s.

Could the same be applied to technology?

While many experts agree that tech devices could be classified the same way, the history of technology reveals that the situation is more complex.

"Early computational machines or computational aids, things like historic Abacus, or the early mechanical votes counting machines, things like that, can be considered antique," shares Gianpaolo Del Matto, collector of vintage computing and creator of The Phintage Collector.

He first got into collecting 20 years ago after receiving his first UNIX workstation. After owning 30 machines, Del Matto decided to sell everything "due to lack of time and space." Nevertheless, the collector's spirit didn't leave him, so in 2016, he started working on a new collection, trying to regain what he’d sold and add some new items to the list.

Even though antique technology is considered to be more than 100 years old, the collector notes that "the 100-year boundary may not be fully sharp, also depending on what type of device it is and even the impact it had from a historical perspective."

One example could be the Enigma, a cipher machine developed during World War II. Although it is not a 100-year-old device, it could already be considered an antique.

Del Matto also noted that devices such as a mechanical computer Z1 from the 1930s and IBM mainframes from the 1950s are soon to be called antiques.

What’s old in the modern age?

Just recently, Apple added three models of its products to the list of vintage and obsolete products. The launch dates of the three products were 2016 – 2018, which, retrospectively, are very recent devices.

However, according to Apple's policy, "products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than five and less than seven years ago," with obsolete products being those that are "stopped distributing [...] for sale more than seven years ago."

This example illustrates another definition of "old devices," perhaps much more understandable to today's user: the device reaches "antiquity" the minute it becomes obsolete or is no longer in the making.

"Our modern computing technology, developed throughout the 20th century, has not fully reached the state of being called antique," says Del Matto.

“As soon as it's no longer in widespread use, it becomes obsolete. A general rule of thumb would be 10 years and older."

However, the collector also notices that a lot depends on the type of device. Let's say a TV from 2005 or an iPod from 2008 can still be used today.

How do people view older technology?

In today's world, people's views on older technology are divided. Some focus on the latest technology, while others are driven by sentiments over previously owned devices.

It’s all about “having the latest and greatest”

"My generation (Gen X) didn't want anything to do with older technology. We were always about having the latest and greatest. I think this is a recent phenomenon with Millennials and Gen Z. They love it," shares Brenda Christensen, the CEO of Stellar Public Relations, Inc., who also launched the first robotic programming language for GM, the first cell phone (NEC), and GameBoy for Nintendo.

From an environmental perspective, knowing that more people are into owning a used gadget seems to be a good sign. However, the statistics show a different reality. Let's take a smartphone, the most popular electronic device in the world, as an example. Data reveals that a smartphone's average replacement cycle length in the US and worldwide in 2023 was between two and three years. In comparison, the average phone replacement cycle in 1990, which marked the start of mobile phones becoming mainstream, was between three to five years.

Of course, constant technological development impacted such change, which now provides people with better, faster, and smarter devices. More users are encouraged to enroll in upgrade programs such as the one offered by Apple, which allows them to change their phones to a new model every year.

The rise of sentimental value

When it comes to older technology, what has changed is the way people see it now.

Some value older technology for its simplicity, others decide to keep it for aesthetic purposes, and some are driven by nostalgia.

"For instance, many millennials are jonesing for GameBoys and other tech from the 90s," notes Christensen, hinting at people who still enjoy playing retro games.

"Maybe it was the machine you wrote your school essays, or invested countless hours for playing that one computer game, or your dad taught you programming on it, that everyday machine from 1999 may just mean something to you personally, as you may have an emotional bond to it," also shares Del Matto, ending on an important note, "but that alone doesn't give it a monetary value.”

When do old vintage devices gain monetary value?

One of the reasons some people started collecting outdated technology is to be then able to sell it for more.

The owner of the Phintage collector shares that many are convinced that they found the next best thing, even though "most things offered nowadays have scrap values at best, as they are defective, heavily worn down, and need a lot of time for repair and restoration work to get back in shape." As a result, prices for older gadgets have increased.

"There are more collectors now for old technology – in the past, it was generally a user base looking to extend the useful life of technology by making replacement parts, repairs or even new pieces of hardware/software to enhance the existing technology," notes Rich Mellor, the creator of Sell My Retro site, a niche trading place for people who are looking for retro computers, gaming machines, and other tech equipment.

Perhaps that's why many turn to discussion forums, such as Reddit, and online selling sites, such as eBay, to help them understand whether what they own has some value and is worth selling or buying.

So, certain factors should be considered before diving into vintage technology.

The value of a gadget depends on its rarity and usefulness.

One example is Apple Computer 1, which has been named a "real collector's item." However, despite being valuable, it's hard to find a buyer who could purchase one as it's "well outside the price range of most collectors," revealed Mellor.

He also shared that computer-wise, anything that’s made after 1984 is considered "mass produced and is still relatively easy to find."

The value of a gadget also depends on how complete the collection is.

Del Matto explains that some devices start "to build up some value just because it's a complete collection." They can then become even more expensive if they are in pristine, fully working condition with all the accessories and the packaging included.

Being the first of its kind also bumps a device's value.

Besides Apple, "a system like an original IBM PC 5150 from 1981 just develops a certain value because it was the first of its kind and spawned an entire industry of 'IBM compatibles' to follow," reveals the collector.

Advice for vintage tech collectors

The interviewees offer some valuable insights for people who are interested in old devices or perhaps have already started collecting them.

One of the main points emphasized by the experts is not to throw away a device even if you don't think it's worth keeping at the time.

"One of my biggest regrets is when my reporter friends were moving offices at Mobile Office Magazine. They offered me a closet full of Motorola phones and others that were just a year old or so. This was way back in 1997. I can't imagine what the value of those devices is today," shared Christensen.

But simultaneously, Del Matto suggests avoiding the assumption that everything you find is "a jackpot." "Unless it's an Apple 1, you don't! Most old tech found in the attics is worth way below $100."

He also believes that the best thing a person can do is seek advice or do their own research. "Be aware: museums are mostly after significant pieces, so-called milestones. They're not after scrap. The collectors are more open about what they're after."

For market research purposes, the collector suggests checking eBay. He shares one of the tricks that helps to understand how certain devices should be priced.

Listings that have been posted for a while tend to have their items priced too high. He then says to get back to your own listing, which may attract a lot of "watchers" but not the kind who would be interested in buying. It could also be seen as an indicator of the device being too expensive.

The owner of Sell My Retro encourages collectors who don't wish to sell their items but want to enjoy and preserve their collectibles to use the acquired technology.

"In reality, many items that have been stored for years have lost their value as they no longer work and need what can be expensive repairs to get them working again, which leads to it being sent to landfill," explains Mellor.

However, being careful with how such devices are used is essential in this situation. The expert reminds others to change certain parts, such as capacitors or batteries, especially if an item goes to storage since "early batteries tend to leak and ruin the circuit boards." Some devices should also be kept from sunlight, which causes fading and yellowing, devaluating the item.

While users are mostly focused on what new tech companies will launch every year, another side of the market concentrates on older devices. While for some, it may appear as attractive as yesterday’s news, others find sentimental and monetary value in keeping old technology.

So, knowing the market and understanding its needs can be helpful, especially if you’re not sure what to do with all those pre-owned devices in the drawer or just wish to have an engaging discussion with other passionate collectors online.