Yet another sealed 4GB original iPhone brings in over $100,000 at auction

AppleInsider

It's time to rummage through your closets and desk drawers for forgotten tech as another iPhone with 4GB of storage sold at an auction for over $130,000.

Image Credit: LCG Auctions

In mid-March, a 4GB original-release iPhone hit the auction block at LCG Auctions. The model was noted to be in fantastic condition, with seven of the eight corners sharp, no fading, and no dings around the edges.

LCG expected the model to bring in over $100,000 -- and it did. The final sales price was $130,027.20.

The main reason for the high sale price is rarity. Apple discontinued the 4GB model on September 5, 2007, just over two months after its release.

However, the model sold for less than two identical models that had hit the auction block earlier. In July 2023, the same model sold for over $190,000. Later, in October of the same year, the same model sold for $133,435.

Recently, a business card signed by Steve Jobs sold for an impressive $181,183. In that same auction, an Apple-1 signed by Steve Wozniak sold for $323,789.



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eightzero

I'd kinda like to know how auctioneers and bidders actually verify what is in a sealed box. I'm guessing some sort of X-ray or other imaging is done. At these price levels, it seems ripe for scammage.

Or, as the meme goes, "what's in the f*cuking box?!?!"

iOS_Guy80

Can’t imagine what a Vision Pro in an unopened box with sell for at auction in 20 years?

BlueLightning

Grampa, why did you spend $100k+ for an obsolete iPhone? You could have bought an annuity, and used the proceeds to buy new Apple stuff every year or two for the rest of your life.  

Seriously, collectables like this have been known to drop 10-20% over a 10-20 year period.  Would be difficult to authenticate the unit inside had never been used, and that it was in good condition.  How much would value drop if someone tore off the plastic cover, or someone sealed a used unit within a counterfeit plastic cover?  How much would insurance for such a collectable cost?  I'd be afraid to have such an expensive thing around the house, or in storage.  Could buy several cars for the same amount.  In some parts of the country, could buy a house or two for the same amount.