Back when I had the iPhone 5S (7.6 mm vs the 5.6 mm of the iPhone 17 Air): It provided value in terms of feel. It felt like a piece of art meeting cutting edge technology. It wasn't about showing off.

It was also so light that it felt safe to use it without a protective case. And not that expensive.

Nothing feels better than the original iPhone.

Solid, tactile, and just the right size. Mine finally got stuck in a boot loop earlier this year, but I keep it in my desk drawer, and pick it up occasionally. The mute switch (an actual switch, not a button) is still the best.

My original iPhone (bought in June 2007 for competetive research) has started swelling and won't boot up. Still keeping it. Maybe I should store it in a bucket of sand though.

Open it, remove the battery and put it in a dedicated recycling bin.

Yep.

Easier to slide into the back pocket of my jeans and it doesn’t bulge as much. It also just feels really good in your hands, great ergonomics.