Used iPods Likely Not Worth Keeping as Collectors' Items Despite Uptick in Value After Discontinuation, Data Shows

[MacRumors]

After the last iPod touch was officially discontinued earlier this month, the entire range of iPod models have seen a slight uptick in value, but devices in used condition continue to experience heavy depreciation.

According to trade-in pricing data from over 40 U.S. independent tech resale companies gathered by SellCell, iPods have depreciated by 89 percent on average since their launch, ranging from 98 percent depreciation for some models from 2003, to 71 percent for seventh-generation iPod touch models.

As is to be expected for the last two iPods to be released, the sixth- and seventh-generation iPod touch models are still worth the most, especially in higher storage configurations. The 256GB seventh-generation iPod touch has the best resale value, with owners able to get around $100 for the device providing it is in good condition, while slightly older models with smaller storage configurations sell for just upwards of $60. Older iPod models from 2012 or earlier are worth just $28 on average, with the most valuable model being the 160GB seventh-generation iPod Classic at $61. These iPods have depreciated by around 90 percent owing to their age.

While the average resale value of iPods has remained fairly static over the past six months, there has been a marginal recovery in value of 2.9 percent since Apple's announcement that the final iPod was to be discontinued. Tracked iPod prices show an average depreciation rate of 86.3 percent on May 1, dropping to 83.4 percent on May 16. Most noticeably, the 16GB seventh-generation iPod Nano has seen value recovery of 13.4 since Apple's announcement earlier this month. There may be further improvement for some models over time.

Overall, the data suggests that despite their cult status, most used iPods will continue to depreciate over time. This means that now is likely a good time to sell a used iPod, especially amid heightened interest in the device that has led to some value recovery, and potential further gains in the coming weeks. iPods in new condition, and especially ones that are still sealed, are much more likely to appreciate as collectors' items in the future. The exact impact of Apple's decision to discontinue the iPod on used device resale value will become clearer in the coming months.

Article Link: Used iPods Likely Not Worth Keeping as Collectors' Items Despite Uptick in Value After Discontinuation, Data Shows

 

[contacos]

My parents attic is still full of my beanie babies collection too ?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Technically you can buy this, it's called the iPhone SE...

 

[Bug-Creator]

My parents attic is still full of my beanie babies collection too

Don't worry, just give them another 50 years....

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I guess I’m keeping my iPod Touch sealed inside the box for the next 10-15 years.

 

[el-John-o]

This is the classic issue with "collecting". There's not usually a way to predict when something will be valuable or collectible. Because what makes them valuable is scarcity. You need something that either everyone threw away; or there weren't many of, that THEN became ridiculously popular. The Apple I is worth significantly more than the Apple II, but without the Apple II, the Apple I would have never been collectible. That is to say; Apple's LATER success is what made the Apple I valuable; but the Apple I's scarcity is why it's the most valuable product Apple has ever produced to collectors.

They made a gajillion of these. They probably never will have any significant value, because there are so stinking many of them. Which, IMHO, is a good thing! Because these are actually still really fun to play with and they're fun to collect!

 

[QuarterSwede]

I see what you’re trying to do …

 

[BootsWalking]

I swapped out the crop report Beeks delivered to the Dukes brothers today and tomorrow I'm going to crush them by waiting until they've bought all the iPods they can and then I'll start selling them short when the real crop report comes out.

 

[sw1tcher]

I guess I’m keeping my iPod Touch sealed inside the box for the next 10-15 years.

While the iPod Touch is safe from harm inside the box, what about the box and plastic wrapper? Are they being protected? If not, I suggest wrapping it with a Polishing Cloth so the plastic wrapper doesn't get any scratches. ?

 

[progx]

I can see the iPod touch falling into this category easily. Overall, I think it’s right on the nose (it’s painful to admit), my 2007 iPod Classic 160GB and 2002 iPod 10GB run very old hardware. There isn’t an ability, by default, to have lossless media let alone downloading your streaming library. iPod collections will be a super niche market. Any smart phone can play music files of any variety, plus video files, apps, games, etc. A dedicated device to music files is sadly super niche ?

However, it was a fun ride and I won’t forget the memories I had with all my iPods. They can safely sit on a shelf… unlike my old portable CD and tape players that found their way to scrap yards.

 

[BellSystem]

While the iPod Touch is safe from harm inside the box, what about the box and plastic wrapper? Are they being protected? If not, I suggest wrapping it with a Polishing Cloth so the plastic wrapper doesn't get any scratches. ?

NOOOOOO! THEN YOU WON"T BE ABLE TO KEEP THE POLISHING CLOTH NIB!!!!!! THAT WILL BE WORTH BIG $$$$$$$

 

[Apple$]

I wonder if my 5th generation iPod touch with no rear camera is worth anything. ?

 

[nylonsteel]

i would put my money in aapl stock - not ipod collectables

 

[ghostface147]

As stated earlier in this thread, it comes down to numbers. The more there are of things, the less likely for them to be worth anything substantial. Have the first iPod still in its box unused and unwrapped? It may be worth something down the road. Latest model of the iPod Touch that was never used or opened, but there are millions out there in the wild just like it? Not going to be worth much.

 

[honglong1976]

The best way to increase the price of a collectible? Tell everyone they are not collectible, so people sell, use or bin them. Fast forward 10 years, they are highly collectible.

 

[topmounter]

Pure nostalgia. There are plenty of excellent FLAC capable DAPs. I do still have my OG iPhone, iPad and 5G iPod.

 

[Kaikidan]

I always wanted a classic with battery and SD mod, but recently (2 years ago) purchased an Sony Walkman NW-A40 and installed the improved custom firmware that does eveything I would use the ipod classic to do but in a smaller form factor (the thing even supports SD cards up to 2tb). Still would buy a classic for it's aestethic alone tho.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

“Not Worth Keeping as Collectors' Items”​

Is anyone collecting these in hopes of a future pay off? Everyone I’ve ever talked to that has an iPod collection, or is just refurbishing an iPod, is doing it because they love them. I have almost every iPod ever made—all with new batteries and solid stare drives if someone sort—and my family is going to have to bury them with me lol. Sure there’s people out there that have them new in box, just waiting for the best time to sell it, but the article when mentioned that’s really the only thing with a solid value.

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, this is prime example of the difference between exchange value and use value in economics. First, trade in value is a problematic indicator, though probably the easiest to collect, since trade ins are almost always lowballs. Second, if you bought an iPod as an investment, you probably don’t understand what an investment is. The article is a little silly because folks who are still rocking an iPod do so because they love something about it not because it’s worth a certain dollar amount.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I have the third generation iPod Touch, originally came with iOS 3 and maxed out iOS 5. Still used it even when I got an iPhone. It’s somewhere in a shoebox. Still have the hard plastic box too. Here some pictures of it. Even remembered that I wrote a review of it if you want to check it out. Look at those icons!

ActiveWin.com: Apple iTouch 32 GB - Review

 

[Apleeseed84]

So this article is basically describing any electronic device, ever.

 

[ackmondual]

Technically you can buy this, it's called the iPhone SE...

But, my iPod Touch is much better at grating cheese!

 

[guzhogi]

I still have a U2 iPod. Probably could use a new battery, and I think it would be fun to switch out the HDD with some kind of flash/SSD. If for nothing else than a project to see if I can do it.

 

[ackmondual]

I have the third generation iPod Touch, originally came with iOS 3 and maxed out iOS 5. Still used it even when I got an iPhone. It’s somewhere in a shoebox. Still have the hard plastic box too. Here some pictures of it. Even remembered that I wrote a review of it if you want to check it out. Look at those icons!

ActiveWin.com: Apple iTouch 32 GB - Review

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I still have my yellow iPod Touch 5 on me. It's a glorified flashlight + calculator app at this point, but it fits in the pocket, and can share a charging cable with my 9th gen iPad. I do fire up games every few months or so.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

So this article is basically describing any electronic device, ever.

Pretty much, but in this case...these have Apple 'Innovation'.