Transforming Trash into Art: Collectible Smartphones as Sculptures
In an intriguing turn of events, tech enthusiast Sonny Dickson, a well-known figure in the industry, has launched a personal project called Collectible Phones. The aim of this project is to celebrate the evolution of technology over time by displaying old smartphones in an artistic manner, with the first product being the groundbreaking first-generation iPhone from 2007.
The Collectible Phones project is not limited to the iPhone; it seeks to expand the history of the smartphone in popular culture by including a variety of devices. This initiative is a response to the world moving towards physical content transforming into digital, with the smartphone remaining one of the physical constants.
The choice of the first iPhone for the Collectible Phones project was made because it was the device that impacted many lives and revolutionised the landscape of phone evolution. Despite the actual design of the first iPhone being perceived as evolutionary rather than revolutionary at the time, it is now lauded around the world.
Apple, the tech giant behind the iPhone, is reportedly working on several next-generation foldable devices and related technologies. According to rumours, Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone in early 2027, a notable shift from its typical late-year launch schedule. This foldable device represents an expansion beyond the traditional rigid iPhone form factor.
Alongside the foldable iPhone, rumours indicate that foldable iPads and MacBooks are also in development, although these are not expected to appear until 2027 or later. This suggests a broader vision for foldable and collectible phone-related innovations extending into other Apple product lines.
In addition to foldable devices, Apple is advancing augmented reality (AR) technology with products like the Apple Glass AR headset. While not a phone, this AR glasses project is part of Apple's expanding hardware portfolio that could influence the collectible and innovative device ecosystem. The potential release of the Apple Glass around 2026 could mark a significant step forward in the AR market, competing with Meta and Google in the AR eyewear space.
The Collectible Phones project is intended to allow people to display old smartphones in their homes and offices in an artistic manner, celebrating personal history and emotional connections to the past. The project plans to continue expanding its offerings and explore additional devices that would further contribute to the rich tapestry of history.
Interestingly, the Director of the Design Museum acknowledged a "howling error" a year later, admitting that the iPhone should have been awarded the Design of the Year in 2007 instead of the XO-1 from the "One Laptop Per Child" program. This underscores the enduring impact and influence of the iPhone on design and technology.
Sonny Dickson, with his keen eye and ear on the supply chain and a reputation for picking up details on many smartphones ahead of their release, has worked closely with a design team to conceptualize unique ideas for Collectible Phones. Through this project, he envisions a world where these cherished products become celebrated art pieces displayed in offices and homes worldwide.
As we move towards a more digital future, the Collectible Phones project serves as a poignant reminder of the physical devices that have shaped our lives and culture. It's an exciting time for technology enthusiasts, as Apple's foldable future promises to bring new innovations to the world of smartphones.
In Sonny Dickson's Collectible Phones project, devices beyond the iPhone are also being incorporated to broaden the history of smartphones in popular culture, as people strive to celebrate the evolution of technology through physical gadgets like smartphones.
Despite Apple's focus on developing foldable devices like the foldable iPhone and AR technology such as the Apple Glass, platforms like Collectible Phones allow individuals to treasure and commemorate the classic designs of earlier smartphones, in an artistic and emotional manner.
