Your Old iPod Classic Could Be Worth Thousands

Thanks to early 2000s nostalgia, iPod classics are valuable again.

When the iPod was first released in 2001, it changed the world in more than one way. First, it made it possible for people to carry an unprecedented amount of tracks in their pockets, effectively replacing portable CD players and bulky CD folders.

It also marked the comeback of Apple, which had been struggling throughout the 1990s. Without the iPod, the company might not have gone on to release the iPhone, the iPad and a number of products that have become part of modern life.

Ironically, the iPhone made its iPod predecessor obsolete, but if you kept your old (or, preferably, new) music player, now is the time to sell it. With early 2000s nostalgia in full swing, iPods are a hot commodity.

Here are the most valuable iPod classics — the most expensive of which sold for 30 times its original price!

5. 7th Gen iPod Classic Silver

black0knight / eBay

Year released: 2008

Sealed: Yes

Price: $1,019.99

*Data is from Simple Ghar’s “The Vintage Electronics That Are Now Worth a Fortune” report.

Bottom Line: 7th Gen iPod Classic Silver

black0knight / eBay

Released seven years after the first iPod, the seventh generation of the music player would prove to be its last. The year 2008 was also when the first iPhone was released, so Apple simply decided to retire their former star product.

Perhaps this is what makes this iPod valuable, as people are drawn to it being a reminder of the last years before smartphones took over our lives.

4. 7th Gen U2 iPod Classic

Joao_Paixao_2006 / Reddit

Year released: 2008

Sealed: No

Price: $1,025

Bottom Line: 7th Gen U2 iPod Classic

Joao_Paixao_2006 / Reddit

Back when iPods were the tech gadget to own, Apple launched a collaboration with the popular pop-rock band U2. The bold black and red color and the signature of band members on the band made it a must-have item for U2 fans.

Despite U2’s popularity waning, it looks like their special edition iPod is still grabbing people’s attention.

3. 4th Gen iPod Classic U2 Special

jlmluca / eBay

Year released: 2004

Sealed: Yes

Price: $1,599

Bottom Line: 4th Gen iPod Classic U2 Special

Lcarsdata / Apple Fandom

This fourth-generation iPod was the first U2 special to be released. It came with a 20 GB drive, a monochrome screen and a silver back with the band’s signatures.

At the time, its price was $50 more than that of the regular fourth-generation iPod — that’s the equivalent of about $78 today.

2. 5th Gen iPod Classic Black

5th Gen iPod Classic Black and ipod 6 silver

Antonio Vernon / Wikimedia Commons

Year released: 2005

Sealed: Yes

Price: $1,619

Bottom Line: 5th Gen iPod Classic Black

xmb-0412 / Ebay

This fully sealed fifth-generation iPod was released in 2005. It was a big deal when it came out since it was the first of its kind to play videos in HD. It also had up to 60 GB capacity and was larger yet slimmer than the previous iPod.

Interestingly, this particular model might be valued even more because of its color. Since silver has always been the most popular choice for Apple products, its black color makes it even rarer.

1. 1st Gen iPod Classic White

Pippinitis / Apple Fandom

Year released: 2001

Sealed: Yes

Price: $20,000

Bottom Line: 1st Gen iPod Classic White

MichaelMH / Apple Fandom

The most valuable iPod classic right now (and probably ever) sold for a whopping $20,000! That’s especially impressive considering that, when this gem came out, it cost about $400, or around $670 today. And while that was certainly a high price to pay for a music player, it seems like the investment paid off for this seller.

At the time of its release, few people could’ve predicted just how important this gadget would be, so not many people would have gambled at keeping it sealed. Whether the seller had impressive foresight or simply lost the iPod and then found it, this is one of the priciest vintage tech sales we’ve ever seen.