Decade-Old Phone Found in Arizona Desert Miraculously Turns On

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Katie Elkin, an 84-year-old retired teacher in Prescott, Arizona, was out for a walk in the desert when she stumbled upon a dusty, decade-old Samsung Gusto 2 flip phone lying in the scrub. To her amazement, the phone still powered on after Elkin charged it using cables from her own electronics stash. Elkin then set out to track down the phone's owner, Maddie, who had lost it while hiking in the same area back in 2015. After some detective work, Elkin was able to connect with Maddie, who was shocked to learn her long-lost phone had been found.

Why it matters

This story highlights the surprising resilience and longevity of some mobile devices, even in harsh environments, challenging the common perception of phones as fragile, disposable technology. It also showcases the power of human kindness, as Elkin went to great lengths to reunite the lost phone with its rightful owner despite never having met Maddie before.

The details

Elkin found the open, dusty Samsung Gusto 2 while exploring a lesser-known trail in the desert outside Prescott. She initially thought she would give the phone to a neighbor boy, but decided to try powering it on instead. To Elkin's surprise, the phone charged up and turned on, allowing her to access the text messages and contacts inside. Through this digital trail, Elkin was able to piece together clues about the phone's owner, Maddie, including that she worked at a cafe, had family in Chicago, and had likely lost the phone while hiking in 2015. Elkin then used reverse phone number lookups to track down Maddie's father in Chicago, eventually connecting with Maddie herself over the phone on Elkin's birthday.

• Elkin found the phone just before Thanksgiving in 2022.
• The last text message on the phone was dated Saturday, May 16, indicating it was likely lost in 2015 or 2020.
• Elkin spoke with Maddie, the phone's owner, on December 30, 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Elkin and Samsung are still determining how best to celebrate the remarkable durability of the decade-old Gusto 2 phone.