Xreart Studio Review: Give the Gift of Upcycled Gadgets with Unique Teardown Art

Art is subjective. What speaks to one person might not strike someone else in the same way. However, if you’re reading Gear Diary, you probably have a strong appreciation for technology, especially the devices that impacted your life. Maybe your gateway to geekery was a Game Boy, an original iPhone, or your first smartwatch; Xreart takes that love for gadgets and turns them into works of art!

We were given a choice of what Xreart to choose, and I picked the original iPhone because it has a strong nostalgia tie for me.

I sat in line outside my local Apple Store for hours to get the original iPhone on launch day, and it was unlike any other gadget experience I’ve ever had. Apple Store employees got everyone hyped, everyone was friendly and excited, and there was a countdown when the sales officially started.

Apple made it a big deal to go along with the launch hype, and while it was underpowered, lacked outside apps, and couldn’t do everything that my trusty Palm Treo could do, I was still super excited to get one.

I still have my original iPhone, even though I don’t have a charger for it, and I doubt it would be able to handle anything close to modern connectivity.

That strong sense of nostalgia is why I was so excited to check out the Xreart. Honestly, I would have been happy if they had just dissected an iPhone and framed the pieces.

But they go above and beyond to make the whole thing a cohesive and beautiful work of art.

Every piece is labeled, so you really get a sense of all the engineering that goes into the phone and how the many small items all work together with precision.

There’s also a quote from Steve Jobs in one corner, as well as the release date, discontinuation date, and a brief paragraph giving the device’s history.

It’s impossible to walk by it daily without stopping at least once just to take in how cool the whole thing looks.

If you’re not an iPhone fan, or you’re shopping for artwork for someone with more precise tastes, Xreart has you covered there too.

They have some Samsung and Nokia phones, as well as Apple Watches, iPod Touch, and Nintendo and Playstation portables.

Maybe you or whoever you’re buying for has a strong artistic/DIY streak, in which case you can get a kit with the labeled background and tools for disassembly while you provide the device.

The frame is 13″ by 13″, so big enough to showcase the art but not so big that it’s difficult to find an appropriate space.

Xreart creations are the perfect gift for someone who loves gadgets and offbeat artwork. Not only is it a unique concept, but it upcycles devices that would otherwise be discarded.

They’re taking old and out-of-date gadgets, and instead of them rotting in a landfill, they’re turned into conversation pieces that will impress anyone who sees them.

The only thing I can think of that might make Xreart pieces even more personalized would be if you could request a customized item by sending in a particular gadget that meant a lot to you for them to dissect and turn into art. Maybe some day!

A fully made piece of art ranges in price, but assume between $149 and $299, with the DIY options coming in at different levels depending on whether you want the shadowbox, the tools, or just the background. I’m very excited to hang the iPhone in my office and show all my coworkers a little slice of my geeky tastes!

Xreart Studio device teardown art ranges in price; the original iPhone art shown in this review sells for $299 and is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: The art upcycles gear that would otherwise be in a landfill; Quality frame and build; Allows you to admire the teardown of a beloved gadget; Can act as a statement piece for a wall or room

What Needs Improvement: Nothing