Famed Apple leaker dishes on the art of iPhone rumors and the beauty of e-waste

If you’re interested in unreleased Apple products, you’ve probably read something by Sonny Dickson. He’s one of the most widely known and frequently quoted figures in the mysterious world of tech leaks, with a long and distinguished track record of early and accurate predictions… and, as is the case for all leakers, a few missteps too. Nobody’s perfect.

Now the poacher is turning gamekeeper, and Dickson is launching his own line of tech products inspired by the artistic merits of obsolescent devices. (Perhaps it would be poetic justice if some of his future products were leaked in turn.) Macworld caught up with Dickson over email to discuss life as a leaker, sustainability, tech as art, and his plans for the future.

Macworld: When did you first become interested in technology?

Sonny Dickson: I’ve always been interested in technology. My first computer was a grape iMac, then later I purchased an iBook. I believe technology is art generated by scientists and engineers. Every awe-inspiring thing in the tech industry is its own masterpiece. Some may be better than others, but they are all moving our lives forward to new possibilities.

MW: What’s your favorite tech product of all time?

SD: The first iPhone. It changed the whole direction of personal computing and gave everyone who owned one a real sense of living in the future.

MW: Which current tech product do you think will be regarded as art in 18 years?

SD: Glasses. And probably first-gen AI.

MW: What was your first big scoop as a leaker?

SD: It’s been a while, but I think the iPhone 5c colors were real showstoppers back then. That was a huge change from the contrasting white and black color schemes. I believe this was also when people started following my leaks.

MW: How does it feel right after publishing a major leak? Do you worry about how the companies involved will react?

SD: I’ve been doing this for a while now, and it’s become a bit of a routine. I just move on to the next story, and I usually don’t get too caught up in the comments people make because I don’t exaggerate the information I receive. I might double-check the accuracy, but I’m not going to post something that has no backing.

MW: Has anyone ever threatened you with legal action, or actually sued you, for your leaking activities?

SD: No, and no.

MW: How do you think leakers and the tech media should cover their own inaccuracies?

SD: Everyone should own up to what they predicted, whether accurate or inaccurate. They could even express why they may have said it, which gets more people to read their articles. AppleTrack and similar sites can be a great way to keep a leaderboard for accuracy, but I haven’t checked it in a while.

MW: What do you think of other tech leakers in the rumors business right now?

SD: Everyone is incredibly friendly and kind. Gurman is one of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet. I believe everyone is doing their best, and since I focus on my own path, I don’t keep track of those who may not be as reliable. 

MW: How do you think Apple feels about rumors? Do you think on some level the company appreciates the publicity?

SD: Leaks are a great way to generate buzz and interest around its products. Throughout my career, I’ve found that they get people excited about what’s to come without sharing too much. My goal is to never bring bad press to any company. I’m a big fan of Apple’s, which is why I started Collectible Phones.

MW: Tell us a little more about the inspiration behind your new company.

SD: The excitement started when I built a prototype for myself. Personally, I love seeing the deeper meaning of how technology was originally designed and how it has evolved. We wanted to showcase old technology. We take older phones and make something new from them, either deconstructing the parts and turning them into framed works of art or refurbishing them and restoring them to full working order, in order to help stop e-waste.

MW: How much of the framed original iPhone is, well, original, and how much is replica? Were the recycled parts in each framed display all taken from a single unit that someone once owned?

SD: Everything is original and mostly from a single unit. The only part that is not taken from the original is the battery, for safety reasons. We use a replica block of plastic with a sticker over it.

MW: How difficult is it to ensure the older devices are still functional?

SD: It’s always a challenge. I’ve seen where all the old phones go that are disgarded and not recycled. We as a company are trying to minimize e-waste by turning them into a prized possession.

MW: What single change do you think would do most for sustainability in the tech industry?

SD: Change the design of new tech products to prioritize upgradability rather than disposal. For example, instead of waiting for Apple to release the latest iPhone, we should recognize that the devices we already own are incredibly powerful.

Rather than replacing them, we need systems that allow us to upgrade and extend their lifespan. This could be achieved through right-to-repair and upgrade laws, which would enable users to improve and maintain their devices without having to buy entirely new ones. The result would be less electronic waste, more personalized technology, and a shift toward a more sustainable tech industry.

MW: Which other iPhone models (and other devices) do you plan to offer as collectibles?

SD: We’re planning to offer all iPhone models and other devices that were iconic or “cool” in their time. At the top of our list right now are the original iPhone, the iPhone 4 (known for its bold redesign), and the iPhone X, which marked the shift to Face ID and an edge-to-edge display. When curating our collection, we’ll prioritize both artistic value and historical significance.

Visit the Collectible Phones website to check out the range of framed and working handsets currently on offer.