Original iPhones Sell
The first-generation iPhone wowed the world when it launched in 2007 and changed the way billions of people communicate, work and even wake up in the morning. It became Apple’s most successful product ever and was named Time magazine’s invention of the year. And now, 16 years later, it can fetch some eye-watering prices at auction.
One original, sealed iPhone sold for $63,356 at LCG Auctions on Sunday, beating expectations of about $50,000. The auctioneer said the phone was from the first batch of phones and comes with a letter of provenance from a person who worked on the device’s engineering team when it came out. That makes it “the holy grail for most collectors,” the auctioneer added. It is the third original, sealed sell iphone for big bucks at an auction this year. Two others — both with 8GB of storage — sold for $54,000 at other auctions this year. The latest version of the iPhone can store a terabyte of data and has cameras with wide-angle and telephoto lenses, among other features.
A spokesman for the auction company told NPR that it expected the bidders at the Sunday night sale to be “advanced collectors” and the iPhone’s condition helped boost its price. He noted that it had pristine labels under the plastic seal and no aftermarket stickers on the box, and was in virtually unopened condition. The winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a collector from the U.S.
How Much Do Original iPhones Sell For at Auction?
That phone’s price is about 380 times higher than the $US499 ($A730) it cost when it was released. It was the first iPhone to combine a smartphone, iPod and web browser in a single package. It ushered in the modern mobile age and accelerated Apple’s rise to become one of the world’s most valuable companies.
The auction of the original, sealed iPhone followed a trend for rare or highly recognizable items to see prices skyrocket as collectors seek them out. Other items that have seen their collectible moment recently include toys and other relics from childhood, according to Montero.
If you’re ready to trade in your old iPhone, you might be able to get a good price from the same place you bought it: an online buy-back service. But it’s worth checking out multiple options to be sure you’re getting the best quote. A website called Flipsy compares the US trade-in values of multiple buyback programs and stores, including Apple and Best Buy. It also gives you the payment methods they offer, their price-lock duration and a summary of how each defines “acceptable” condition.
Trying to sell your old iPhone yourself might not be as lucrative as trading it in or selling it at an auction, but it’s still the easiest way to turn it into cash. And it minimizes the risk of your device ending up in the wrong hands, such as a thief or someone who can’t afford to pay for it. Just be sure to check out the seller’s feedback and terms of sale before completing the transaction.