Record-Breaking Auction: Pristine, Factory-Sealed Original iPhone Fetches Mind-Blowing Price!

A sealed and unopened first-generation 4GB iPhone, a rare find after being untouched for over a decade, was recently sold at an auction for an astonishing price of over $190,000. Starting with a bid of $10,000 and receiving 28 bids over a two-week period, the seller of this unique iPhone made a remarkable profit of over $180,000 when the auction concluded.

Initially launched in 2007, the first generation of iPhones offered limited storage options, with choices of either 4GB or 8GB, significantly less compared to later models. Due to its restricted space, exclusive partnership with AT&T in the US, and the high initial cost of $499 for the 4GB model, some potential users were deterred at the time. Despite these drawbacks, the iPhone proved to be a tremendous success and firmly established Apple as a prominent player in the nascent smartphone industry. Even though subsequent iPhone generations incorporated technology from other companies like Sony, the first iPhones continued to be highly sought after by collectors.

Though the amount of $190,372.80 may seem staggering, it is precisely the sum a collector paid at an auction held by LCG Auctions from June 30 to July 16 for a sealed, shrink-wrapped 4GB iPhone. According to Gizmodo, the final bid for this specific iPhone reached $158,644, which is more than three times the price an 8GB first-generation iPhone fetched in February. Yet, the selling point of this iPhone could potentially justify its ultimate cost. As stated in the auction listing, the seller was a member of Apple's engineering team during the iPhone's 2007 launch. The listing, however, did not reveal how the seller acquired this 4GB model, adding an element of intrigue to the bidding period.

LCG Auctions, based in Louisiana, previously auctioned a first-generation iPhone with a capacity of 4GB. In late last year, the auction closed at $39,339.60, which is significantly less than the amount gathered in a more recent auction. This recent auction collected an amount that was five times higher. Considering the limited features of the first iPhones compared to newer models and their initial price of only $499 in 2007, it may seem absurd to most users to pay six figures for outdated technology in 2023.

Although the technical capabilities of the iPhone 14 far surpass those of the original iPhone, it is worth noting that factory-sealed iPhones continue to be highly sought after by collectors. It remains uncertain whether any future auctions will surpass the price point of $190k.

Source: LCG Auctions (via Gizmodo)