Ask HN: Is the original iPhone SE just a brick now?

Yesterday, I went through my old electronics and cables to see what I could give away, and what needed to be dropped in an e-waste recycling bin. I found my original iPhone SE. I charged it up, and it works perfectly - the screen, the touch ID, and to my surprise, even the battery holds a charge. Yet, Apple made it obsolete a long time ago. It is stuck on an unsupported version of iOS, and because of the locked bootloader, it's impossible to install a different, supported operating system. I'm impressed by the hardware quality, but frustrated by the software obsolescence. Is there any practical use for this device today? I prefer to upcycle things if possible. The display is still incredibly crisp, and it feels like a waste to just throw it in an electronics recycling bin when it has so much more value than scrap metal. I was thinking about using it as a smart dashboard or an always-on display. However, I'm not sure how best to do this since it's locked to iOS. Also, Gemini warned me that keeping an old lithium-ion battery plugged in 24/7 poses a real swelling and fire hazard. What do you do with your obsolete, perfectly functional Apple hardware?