Unopened first-gen iPhone expected to fetch $50,000 at auction

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone
An unused and unopened iPhone hit the auction block on Thursday, where it's expected to bring a minimum of $50,000.

Image Credit: LCG Auctions
Image Credit: LCG Auctions


The auction, held by LCG Auctions, began on Thursday and will continue until February 19.

Insider interviewed Karen Green, the owner of the iPhone. Green shares the story of how she came to own the phone and why it's gone unused this whole time.

In 2007, Green received the gift from her friends after she got a management job at PetSmart.

However, she already had three phone lines with Verizon. Because the original iPhone was only compatible with AT&T, Green decided to store the iPhone on a shelf.

In 2019, Green had the phone appraised with an estimated value of $5,000, so she decided to hold onto the phone for a few years.

Green is now selling the iPhone, which is anticipated to sell for more than $50,000, to help finance her business.

In October 2022, a factory-sealed iPhone sold for $39,340, beating its expected selling price of $30,000.

In August 2022, a factory-sealed iPhone sold for $35,000, and an unopened first-generation iPod sold for $25,000.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,063member
    It belongs in a museum.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 8
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,198member
    Looks like it was maybe re-sealed.
    ravnorodomwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 8
    laytechlaytech Posts: 335member
    Apple did not shrink wrap products like that. So dodgy.
    ravnorodomwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 8
    brianjobrianjo Posts: 40member
    laytech said:
    Apple did not shrink wrap products like that. So dodgy.
    Yeah, they used to shrink wrap their products back then like this.

    Of course, if you are spending $50K on an 'unopened' box, are you going to open it to confirm that it hasn't been resealed?
    entropysgrandact73watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 8
    tundraboytundraboy Posts: 1,885member
    Could the battery have swelled up after 15 years, warped the case, and maybe even split the phone open?  Can't the bidders demand the box be x-rayed first?
    ravnorodomwatto_cobraforgot username
  • Reply 6 of 8
    JapheyJaphey Posts: 1,767member
    laytech said:
    Apple did not shrink wrap products like that. So dodgy.
    Yes they did. 
    entropysgrandact73watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 8
    ravnorodomravnorodom Posts: 694member
    tundraboy said:
    Could the battery have swelled up after 15 years, warped the case, and maybe even split the phone open?  Can't the bidders demand the box be x-rayed first?
    Good idea. It could be stone inside. Who knows.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 8
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,166member
    brianjo said:
    laytech said:
    Apple did not shrink wrap products like that. So dodgy.
    Yeah, they used to shrink wrap their products back then like this.

    Of course, if you are spending $50K on an 'unopened' box, are you going to open it to confirm that it hasn't been resealed?
    That reminds me of a Big Bang Theory episode.  
    FileMakerFellerwatto_cobralistopis
Sign In or Register to comment.