Will the value of the original iPhone decrease after New Year's Eve?

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If your willing to sell then the sooner the better, the value will be in decline for years and won't be this high again until it's a collectors item. It's your call. If you don't want to sell, then don't. It likely won't change the value of the first gen much because those who buy a 3G still have to sign a 2yr contract and first gen's for sale don't require a contract - I wouldn't worry about a change.

No, it won't.

The first gen iPhone didn't require a contract? Why would you buy brand new one back then (back when they were weren't unlockable)? You'd just have an iPhone with a screen saying to plug it into iTunes. Pointless.

Well, just last week they were selling refurb v1 4GB iPhones for $149, and then they were showing up on EB for $275-$375. So, I would think that they are still a valued item...

Most likely if the value of the iPhone 3G goes up.

If anything the price if the iPhone 3G will go up now that it's going to be unlocked.

TheSpaz said:

The first gen iPhone didn't require a contract? Why would you buy brand new one back then (back when they were weren't unlockable)? You'd just have an iPhone with a screen saying to plug it into iTunes. Pointless.

Click to expand...

Jesus Christ, people. READ.

First gens for sale don't require a contract. In other words, those of us with the first gens selling on eBay and wherever aren't exactly AT&T. If I bought a 3G today, I would have to sign a new contract again, but I could still get the discount. The person buying my phone second hand wouldn't have to.

I've been thinking along the same lines, not because I want to sell but because I want to buy. I'd be surprised if we didn't see a drop in the value of the 2G, having said that I wonder how many 3G owners there are out there that don't have the 2.11.07 baseband [and so will be unable to unlock with yellowsn0w on NYE], and will they keep the price of the 2G high?

First gen phone will become obsolete sooner or later. Eventually we will start seeing apps that require 3G or later hardware.

I, too think it is safe to assume that 3G will increase value with unlock around the corner.