1. First-Generation iPhones
When the original iPhone debuted in 2007, it revolutionized how we interact with technology. Now, unopened first-generation models are fetching thousands at auction, some even surpassing $100,000. Their rarity comes from the fact that almost everyone who bought one actually used it, leaving few in mint condition. Collectors view these devices as the modern-day equivalent of the first rotary telephones—functional relics that changed the world.
What makes them especially desirable is their place in cultural history. The iPhone wasn’t just a gadget; it was the beginning of an era that defined the 21st century. Even minor design differences between early batches can raise their value. It’s a safe bet that pristine examples will only grow rarer and more valuable over time.
2. Nintendo Switch Consoles
The Nintendo Switch might feel like a current-gen device, but time moves fast in tech. Released in 2017, its hybrid console concept—portable yet home-compatible—was groundbreaking. As newer versions like the OLED model and rumored successors emerge, early models are slowly becoming nostalgia pieces. Collectors already treat limited-edition versions like the Animal Crossing and Zelda Switches as must-haves.
What adds to their long-term charm is their role in a transitional era for gaming. The Switch bridged the gap between mobile and console play, defining a generation’s gaming experience. In a decade or two, it could hold the same sentimental appeal as vintage Game Boys. Keep yours in good shape—it might one day sit in a glass case at a tech museum.
3. Tesla Model S (First Production Years)
The Tesla Model S wasn’t the first electric car, but it was the first to make electric driving feel luxurious and cool. Early production models from 2012–2015 are already being eyed by car collectors for their pioneering tech and clean design. These cars marked the shift toward mainstream EV adoption, making them historically significant. And because Tesla updates its vehicles so often, early ones feel like time capsules of a rapidly changing era.
Collectors are drawn to first-run editions, especially those with rare configurations or Autopilot 1.0 hardware. Unlike other tech, cars can last decades if maintained, adding to their investment appeal. As the EV market floods with new brands and models, the original Tesla lineup will stand out. Future enthusiasts may view them as the “Model T” of the electric age.
4. Apple Watches (First Generation)
The original Apple Watch, launched in 2015, didn’t have all the health features today’s models boast—but it started the wearable revolution. The Edition models, especially the gold ones, sold for up to $17,000 and are now collector curiosities. They represent a fascinating moment when Apple tested luxury branding alongside tech innovation. Most owners wore them daily, which makes pristine units scarce.
The first-gen Watch’s limitations make it even more collectible—it’s a piece of early wearable history. As later models refined the idea, the original has gained charm as a “flawed first attempt.” It’s the equivalent of owning the first digital calculator or Walkman. In the timeline of personal technology, that makes it antique material in waiting.
5. Smart Speakers (Original Amazon Echo)
When the first Amazon Echo launched in 2014, it introduced the world to Alexa—and to the idea of talking to your home. The cylindrical speaker didn’t just play music; it made homes feel futuristic overnight. That sense of novelty has since faded as every device from thermostats to TVs talks back, but the first Echo remains a symbol of that turning point. Few people realized they were buying a piece of tech history at the time.
Early Echos are beginning to attract collectors who appreciate their simplicity and cultural significance. They’re reminders of the dawn of the voice-assistant era. Later models became sleeker and smarter, but the first one carries that clunky, “what is this thing?” charm. Expect them to pop up in vintage gadget collections before long.
6. Mechanical Keyboards
In a world of flat, silent laptop keys, mechanical keyboards are having a renaissance. The tactile, clicky models—especially those using vintage switches like Cherry MX or Alps—are now collector favorites. Some enthusiasts pay hundreds for discontinued keycaps and switch types. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about craftsmanship in an increasingly disposable tech world.
As wireless and touch interfaces dominate, mechanical boards represent a bridge to the analog past. Their weight, sound, and feel appeal to people craving something tangible. Many are already limited in production, with custom builds fetching impressive prices. It’s easy to see these becoming the typewriters of tomorrow.
7. Polaroid Cameras (New-Old Editions)
Polaroid made a comeback in recent years with its modern instant cameras, but the magic remains the same. The film, the click, and the satisfying whir of a picture developing in your hand—it’s analog joy in a digital age. Even these “new” Polaroids are destined to feel vintage in time, especially limited-edition runs. They combine nostalgia with a modern twist that collectors love.
The appeal lies in their resistance to digital perfection. Each print is unique, flaws and all, and that gives them soul. As screens dominate our memories, physical photography feels increasingly special. The modern Polaroid revival might be tomorrow’s reminder of how we rediscovered imperfection.
8. Vinyl Records (Modern Pressings)
Vinyl records have already staged an impressive comeback, but even today’s pressings will one day be seen as retro treasures. Limited runs from indie artists and colored vinyl editions sell out fast. They’re part of a modern collector’s culture where physical media is cherished again. In a streaming-dominated world, owning music you can touch feels rebellious.
Future collectors will likely covet early 21st-century pressings for their artwork and scarcity. Albums tied to cultural moments—think Taylor Swift’s Midnights or Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever—could hold special value. Just like 1970s LPs today, these modern discs will carry stories of the fans who kept analog alive. Vinyl isn’t just back—it’s timeless again.
9. Electric Bicycles
Electric bikes are booming right now, but first-wave models are already starting to feel quaint. As battery tech improves and designs evolve, early e-bikes will stand out for their pioneering quirks. They represent the early steps of a movement toward cleaner, personal mobility. And like vintage scooters or motorcycles, their mechanical simplicity has future collectible appeal.
Collectors love items that mark a cultural shift, and e-bikes fit the bill. They symbolize how transportation met technology head-on. As cities transition to sustainable travel, the early bikes will seem charmingly primitive. Someday, they might line the walls of “green tech” exhibits.
10. GoPro HERO Cameras
The GoPro HERO line helped define modern adventure culture. Early models captured footage from snowboarders, divers, and travelers long before smartphones could handle it. Those chunky, waterproof cubes inspired a generation of content creators. The HERO1 and HERO2, once cutting-edge, now look adorably rugged and underpowered.
But that’s exactly why collectors love them—they’re artifacts from the dawn of personal adventure media. Each version represents a jump in what ordinary people could film. They’ll likely end up as prized relics of the social media video boom. Today’s 4K wonders owe everything to those first shaky mountain clips.
11. 3D Printers (Early Consumer Models)
When home 3D printers first appeared in the early 2010s, they promised to change everything. Brands like MakerBot and Ultimaker led a DIY revolution, making manufacturing accessible to anyone. While the hype cooled, their legacy remains huge. Early models now sit in labs and collectors’ shelves as symbols of an ambitious, experimental era.
Their mechanical clunkiness and open-source nature make them perfect collectible candidates. Future makers will appreciate how rough these machines were compared to what’s coming. Like the first sewing machines or radios, they democratized creation. The story of modern prototyping starts with their hum and plastic smell.
12. Early Smartwatches (Pre-Apple)
Before the Apple Watch took over, there were Pebble, Samsung Gear, and Android Wear pioneers. These watches were clunky but visionary—introducing notifications, fitness tracking, and customizable screens. Pebble, in particular, has a devoted cult following years after its demise. Its crowdfunded origin story only adds to its mythos.
Because Pebble was discontinued so abruptly, working models are now rare. Enthusiasts even maintain independent servers to keep them functional. That grassroots dedication makes them special. They’re the “Betamax” of smartwatches—technically surpassed but forever beloved.
13. Crypto Wallets and Hardware Keys
In the wild early days of cryptocurrency, physical wallets like Ledger and Trezor were the only safe way to store coins. They became symbols of a new financial frontier—tiny USB-like devices that held fortunes. Some of those early models, especially if tied to specific historic transactions, already have collector interest. They’re the modern version of gold bars with digital dust on them.
As crypto continues evolving, these first-gen wallets will seem almost primitive. Their minimal interfaces and metallic designs embody the early chaos of decentralized finance. If digital assets persist, the hardware that stored them will too. Imagine one sitting in a museum next to an antique cash register.
14. Meta Quest VR Headsets
The first Oculus Rift headsets made virtual reality feel real for the first time, and the Meta Quest line brought it to the masses. The Quest 2 in particular sold millions, sparking mainstream adoption. But tech moves quickly—today’s models already feel dated as mixed-reality sets take over. That makes early headsets ripe for future nostalgia.
These devices capture a moment when VR was still awkward but full of promise. They’ll remind future generations of when we first stepped into digital worlds. Their bulky design and simple graphics will only add to their charm later. Someday, those white plastic visors might be displayed as the birthmarks of the metaverse.
This post 14 Modern Items Already Being Called ‘Tomorrow’s Antiques’ was first published on American Charm.
