It’s no secret that today’s mobile phones cost a small fortune. In some cases, newer models from manufacturers such as Apple have been sold for over SEK 23,000 via Tradera alone.
But the fact is that even older rarities can also be worth a lot.
In 2023, the most expensive “retro phone”, i.e. an older mobile with a keypad, was sold for an incredible 10,200 kroner.
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“Dumb phones” more popular than in many years
As more and more people seem to be eager to acquire an old mobile without a large screen and without buttons, more and more have started to be sold on the tradera buying and selling site.
In a press release, they explain that the so-called “dumb phones” are now trending and are more popular than in many years.
Dumb phones, actually older push-button phones with basic functions, have driven up sales by 33 percent so far in 2024. So if you’re sitting and worrying about an old dusty mobile, then it might be time to try to sell it. Who knows, you might make a fortune out of it.
Of the mobile phones that, according to Tradera’s communications manager Sofia Hagelin is most popular, now you can find old goodies such as Nokia N92, Ericsson R310S and Nokia 8800 Gold.
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Nokia N92 has been sold for 10,200 on Tradera. Photo: TraderaEricsson R310S has been sold for SEK 6,040. Photo: TraderaNokia 8800 Gold has been sold for SEK 3,150. Photo: Trade
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Cell phones will soon stop working
However, buying an old mobile in the belief of using it can become problematic. The reason for that is that the second and third generation mobile networks, the so-called 2G and 3G networks, are to be switched off. And as the old mobile phones are often built for 2G or 3G, it may happen that you cannot use the new old handset.
To News24 explains Hagelin what applies if you post a mobile phone of an older model on Tradera and what possible responsibility they and the seller have.
– At Tradera, we do not make any special demands on our sellers that they must provide certain specific information in their ad. It is the buyer’s responsibility to make a decision about and be educated about what they are buying. The 2G and 3G networks will be switched off before the end of 2025 for all operators except Telia, who will phase out their 2G network in 2027, so there is still time to use their phones. I think that the vast majority of people who buy phones that only work on 2G and 3G networks in the long run will do so for collecting reasons, she says.
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Trade: Greater demand for these phones
Of all ads that feature push-button phones, so far this year has increased by five percent compared to 2023. But at the same time, the sales rate of phones that are posted has increased by ten percent and average prices have increased by twenty percent – in just one year.
– Out of the ten most expensive push-button telephones sold by us, seven of them were sold in 2024. There is thus a greater demand for these telephones than there is currently a supply on the used market, says Sofia Hagelin to Nyheter24 and adds:
– I think that in the future these older button phones will mainly be bought for nostalgia reasons and it will become a new collector’s item. Just like the craze for 1980s Walkmans, vintage gameboys and cassette players, there is a retro charm to many of the older push-button phones that many people like and are willing to pay for.
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