12 Vintage Novelty Phones Collectors Love
Forget smartphones: Nothing compares to answering a call on a quirky novelty phone, especially one that’s a few decades old. From hamburgers and smiley faces to cartoon characters and Cabbage Patch Kids, these phones weren’t just functional — they were conversation starters that reflected the pop culture of the time. Today, they’re also fetching impressive prices among collectors. Here are 12 rad novelty phones — many of them from the ‘80s — that we’d definitely splurge on today.
1. Hamburger Phone
Shaped like a giant Big Mac, this burger phone (listed for $150) was a must-have for fast-food fans in the ‘80s. With its sesame seed bun receiver and cheese-shaped buttons, we bet it was as fun to look at as it was to make prank calls on.
2. Garfield the Cat Phone
Garfield’s lazy, lasagna-loving charm made this the purr-fect phone for both kids and fans of the TV show. Featuring an interactive Garfield lounging comfortably, its eyes would open and close when in use. It’s also listed for close to $300 on Etsy.
3. Coca-Cola Phone
This retro wall phone was a fizzy favorite for soda (or should we say, pop) lovers. Made from real wood and frosted glass, it previously sold for close to $200 on eBay. Though made in 2003, its retro look makes it look vintage and expensive.
4. Kermit the Frog Phone
Featuring Kermit sitting cross-legged with a yellow receiver, this rotary phone brought everyone’s favorite Muppet to living rooms across America. Listed for $200, this gem was crafted in 1983.
5. Bart Simpson Phone
This vintage Bart Simpson landline from the 1980s features Bart’s signature spiky hair, big eyes, and mischievous grin, complete with eyes that light up in red when ringing. Today, models in good condition are listed for over $100.
6. Hello Kitty Phone
This adorable Hello Kitty dial phone from Japan is a charming collectible for kids and fans of the beloved character. Note that the item’s operational status is unconfirmed and is sold as-is. A previous model sold for over $250 in December 2024.
7. Mickey Mouse Phone
This vintage Unisonic phone ($150) featuring Mickey in a magician’s outfit — complete with a top hat and wand — adds a whimsical touch and is a must-have for Disney enthusiasts. Equipped with a touch-tone keypad for easy dialing, it also has Bluetooth.
8. Smiley Face Phone
Priced at just $50, this adorable phone is sure to bring a smile to your face. It also comes with both pulse and tone-dialing modes, a flash button for call management, and a last number redial feature so you can get those prank callers back.
9. Batphone
Bringing the Dark Knight (or more like his whip) to your living room, this phone features the classic Batmobile as a corded handset. Though prices start at under $300 for pre-owned models, vintage sets have been known to sell for over $500.
10. Pac-Man Phone
Capturing the retro charm of the beloved arcade game, this flip-phone by Bally Midway (listed for $60) features a quirky design where Pac-Man’s mouth opens to reveal the keypad. Previous models have sold for over $100.
11. Looney Tunes Phone
Featuring characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, these phones were a hit among kids and fans of the cartoons. If you own one that’s still in its original packaging (like this Tweety set), it could sell for around $100 — and even more if its brand new.
12. Cabbage Patch Kids’ Phone
Inspired by the ultra-popular Cabbage Patch Kids, this phone comes with multiple features including a ringer on/off switch and a keypad that generates pulses. Listed for $187, it also includes an X-link Bluetooth gateway that can connect to a smartphone.