User-modified iPhone X with USB-C port sells for $86K
An auction for an iPhone X modified with a working USB-C port, complete with full data transfer and charging capabilities, ended on Thursday, with one deep-pocketed buyer shelling out $86,001 for the device.
Created by engineering student Ken Pillonel, the USB-C iPhone X was unveiled in October and instantly captured the imagination of iPhone users champing at the bit for more modern connector.
Pillonel released a video explainer of the build in early November and, as expected, the process was more than a simple parts swap.
In addition to reverse engineering Apple's C94 connector, Pillonel had to fabricate a custom circuit board, test and route connections, and squeeze USB-C parts into an already crammed case. The final result was put up for auction on eBay with bids quickly soaring north of $85,000.
As noted by Gizmodo, the auction ended today with a winning bid of $86,001. A total of 116 bids were placed, most of which came within the first three days.
Pillonel guarantees that the iPhone is functional, but warned against restoring, updating or erasing the device. Further, he said the buyer should not use the heavily modified iPhone as their primary device, and stipulated that its case not be opened.
"So basically you can do whatever you want with it but don't expect anything from me if you break something. It is just a prototype," Pillonel said in the listing's description.
While Apple has yet to commit to switching its flagship platform to USB-C, as it has other hardware like iPad and Mac, brave users can attempt to replicate Pillonel's project by following detailed instructions released on GitHub. Modifying iPhone will, of course, void its warranty and there is no guarantee of success.
Read on AppleInsider
Created by engineering student Ken Pillonel, the USB-C iPhone X was unveiled in October and instantly captured the imagination of iPhone users champing at the bit for more modern connector.
Pillonel released a video explainer of the build in early November and, as expected, the process was more than a simple parts swap.
In addition to reverse engineering Apple's C94 connector, Pillonel had to fabricate a custom circuit board, test and route connections, and squeeze USB-C parts into an already crammed case. The final result was put up for auction on eBay with bids quickly soaring north of $85,000.
As noted by Gizmodo, the auction ended today with a winning bid of $86,001. A total of 116 bids were placed, most of which came within the first three days.
Pillonel guarantees that the iPhone is functional, but warned against restoring, updating or erasing the device. Further, he said the buyer should not use the heavily modified iPhone as their primary device, and stipulated that its case not be opened.
"So basically you can do whatever you want with it but don't expect anything from me if you break something. It is just a prototype," Pillonel said in the listing's description.
While Apple has yet to commit to switching its flagship platform to USB-C, as it has other hardware like iPad and Mac, brave users can attempt to replicate Pillonel's project by following detailed instructions released on GitHub. Modifying iPhone will, of course, void its warranty and there is no guarantee of success.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
sort of work until you or apple break it, and that’s it. Mildly interesting but of no great consequence, and I’d still take any of Apple’s newer phones, complete with lightning connector over this.
I thought this was a neat project when I initially saw the report, but why would anyone pay more than the cost of the phone? It’s not like it’s some groundbreaking technology and functionally it’s actually less than the original phone because it loses its water resistance (and warranty)
Paying the resulting commission fee would be less than the publicity he received.
This is also very common in classic car auctions (which I happen to have many years experience in). People keep upping the bid to make it appear the vehicle has more value than it really does. Even if you get stuck buying your own car back you still come out ahead.
If I buy my $50K (actual value) car at Barrett Jackson for a fake bid of $100K I would only be out-of-pocket $10-15K. I then list my car for sale with the tagline “Recently bought at Barrett Jackson for $100K).
Vehicle collectors see the ad and laugh saying “you paid twice what it’s worth”. Rich people/celebrities who think it’s cool to own a classic car think that the price is fair since it was bought at a famous car auction.
There are countless auction type scams out there and I don’t believe for a second someone was stupid enough to buy this iPhone for $86K.