In an era where technological advancements render devices obsolete at an unprecedented pace, the fate of outdated smartphones often leads them to be dismantled for parts, stripped of rare metals, or discarded in landfills. Sonny Dickson, a renowned tech analyst and veteran smartphone leaker, has embarked on a mission to alter this trajectory. Through his innovative venture, Collectible Phones, Dickson is repurposing old iPhones into meticulously curated, wall-mounted art pieces, beginning with Apple’s inaugural 2007 model.
Reimagining the Original iPhone
The debut creation from Collectible Phones is the Collectible 2G. This art piece features carefully sourced and preserved components from the original iPhone, including the screen, logic board, battery, and other integral parts. Each component is meticulously labeled and displayed within a 30cm by 42.3cm frame, available in either black or silver finishes. Priced at $349, the package includes global shipping.
The genesis of this project was deeply personal for Dickson. In an interview with Forbes, he expressed his desire to create a way for people to display these products in their homes and offices in an artistic manner. Collaborating with a design team and leveraging his extensive network in the used smartphone market, Dickson brought this vision to fruition.
Each Collectible 2G display exclusively utilizes original components. To enhance authenticity, Dickson sourced an authentic screenshot of the first version of iOS, showcasing the home screen as it appeared upon the iPhone’s 2007 release. According to CollectiblePhones.com, every device undergoes meticulous hand disassembly, with only the highest-quality parts selected. These components are then affixed to a custom backboard and framed, with the overarching goal of reducing electronic waste by turning old mobile devices into beautiful and long-lasting art pieces.
Art Over Waste
Traditional recycling methods often fail to preserve the narrative and significance of these devices, merely breaking them down into raw materials. Notably, the 2007 iPhone was initially overlooked for its design excellence; the Design Museum awarded its Design of the Year to the XO-1 laptop from the One Laptop Per Child project. A year later, the museum’s director acknowledged this oversight as a howling error.
In retrospect, the original iPhone has cemented its status in technological history. Dickson emphasizes that the Collectible 2G piece highlights the ingenuity of Steve Jobs with Apple on the First Generation iPhone. By visually deconstructing and displaying its components, the device transcends its original function, becoming a piece worthy of exhibition.
Looking ahead, Dickson and his team are already developing additional offerings. He shared with Forbes, We will continue to expand our offerings and explore additional devices that would further contribute to the rich tapestry of history.
For enthusiasts interested in functional devices, Collectible Phones also offers original iPhones in 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB variants for $149 each. These are genuine, operational units, carefully selected for quality. They remain unmodified, catering to collectors who value authenticity and technological history.
Whether displayed behind glass or held in hand, these phones symbolize the inception of a technological revolution. In the appropriate frame, they are not merely tools but historical artifacts.
