Flappy Bird was a popular mobile game that was released in 2013 and quickly became a phenomenon. The game was simple – players tapped the screen to make the bird flap its wings and navigate between Mario-style pipes. Despite its basic gameplay, Flappy Bird was incredibly difficult and addictive. At the height of its popularity in early 2014, it was reportedly earning $50,000 per day in ad revenue.
However, creator Dong Nguyen decided to unexpectedly pull the game from app stores in February 2014, citing negative press over its addictive nature. This sparked a surge in demand from nostalgic gamers who wanted to get their hands on one of the last remaining phones with Flappy Bird installed. Devices with the game still installed began selling for extraordinarily high prices on eBay. This begs the question – just how much are vintage phones with Flappy Bird on them worth today?
Factors That Determine Value
There are several key factors that determine the value of a Flappy Bird phone today:
Date of Manufacture
Phones that originally came with Flappy Bird pre-installed are the most valuable, as they represent the last batches of phones sold before the game was removed from app stores in February 2014. Phones made after this date would have had to download the game separately.
Model and Condition
More popular phone models from the Flappy Bird era like the iPhone 5S tend to be worth more than less popular models. Mint condition and unopened boxed phones also fetch higher prices than used or damaged units.
IOS vs Android
Flappy Bird was more popular on iOS devices, so iPhones with the game installed tend to be worth more than Android phones.
Listing Format
Sellers can maximize value by auctioning Flappy Bird phones individually rather than bundling with other items. Photos of the actual gameplay help assure buyers that the game is installed and fully functional.
Flappy Bird Phone Valuations
Here are some recent sale prices for phones with Flappy Bird installed to illustrate their continued high valuations:
iPhone 5S – $10,000
In January 2022 an iPhone 5S with Flappy Bird sold on eBay for $10,000. The 16GB black smartphone was described as in “good condition” and included original packaging. The listing advertised that the game was fully functional.
Samsung Galaxy S4 – $4,000
A Samsung Galaxy S4 in “acceptable” condition sold for $4,000 in March 2021. The seller noted some screen burn-in and included photos confirming Flappy Bird was installed and working.
iPhone 5 – $2,100
A used iPhone 5 sold for $2,100 in May 2020. The buyer commented that they were “extremely happy” to get an original Flappy Bird phone in nice condition for under $3k.
Recent Sale Trends
Tracking sales data over the past few years reveals some interesting trends:
Prices remain high but fluctuate
Phones with Flappy Bird continue to sell for astonishly high prices, but some fluctuation in valuations has occurred. High sales in the $10k – $15k range occurred around 2018, but prices appear to have softened a bit since then. Nevertheless, average sales prices remain in the thousands.
iOS devices more valuable than Android
As mentioned previously, Flappy Bird phones running iOS consistently sell for higher prices than Android counterparts. The most valuable devices are iPhone 5 and 5S models.
Mint condition commands premium pricing
Buyers are willing to pay enormous premiums for Flappy Bird phones that are in like-new condition, preferably unopened or at least includes the original packaging and accessories. Units with damage sell for a significant discount.
| Phone | Sale Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5S | January 2022 | $10,000 |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 | March 2021 | $4,000 |
| iPhone 5 | May 2020 | $2,100 |
Factors Driving Continued High Values
What explains the staggering prices people are still willing to pay for Flappy Bird phones today? A few key factors are driving valuations:
Nostalgia
Flappy Bird is remembered as one of the most viral mobile gaming crazes ever. For many millennials, it’s a nostalgic piece of pop culture history. This drives demand from retro collectors willing to pay high prices.
Scarcity
With a short window of availability before being pulled from app stores, only limited numbers of devices with Flappy Bird remain. Scarcity leads directly to higher valuations.
Status symbol
Owning an original Flappy Bird phone now confers a certain status and story that mobile gaming fans are willing to pay up for. Phones with Flappy Bird installed have become a cultural collector’s item.
Investment potential
Some buyers are speculating that Flappy Bird phones may appreciate further in value as time passes, making them a novel investment opportunity. Though still unproven, scarcity suggests upside potential.
Conclusion
Years after its initial viral spread and sudden demise, Flappy Bird remains one of the most iconic mobile games ever released. For gaming historians and nostalgic collectors, phones with the original Flappy Bird installed are an invaluable relic. Prices as high as $10,000 have been paid in recent years for particularly rare iPhone models with the game still functioning.
Nostalgia, scarcity, status and speculation are fueling these staggering valuations. As time passes, original Flappy Bird phones may continue to appreciate in value and cement their status as one of the most coveted mobile gaming collectibles of all time. For the foreseeable future, phones with this historic viral gaming hit can mandate premium prices among die-hard retro mobile gamers.
