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Claimed iPhone 6 Prototype Appears on eBay With Bids Reaching $89,000
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Oh it's selling just fine - it's sold 3 times in fact. the only problem is the winning bidder never pays up. I think people bid on lots of phones and just pay for the cheapest one they win. I'm planning on having the last laugh this time though as I'm going to take my latest winner to a Small Claims Court. Costs me £30 and with eBay auctions the court always tells the buyer they have to pay (plus expenses) if they placed the winning bid as it's a legally enforceable contract.
Almost reminds me of the 7 year old snappy safari comments. I have a callous on my face from the constant face palming.
So this device was shipped to her from Verizon, huh? Riiiight.
More like a Chinese knockoff with hacked dev software.
More like a Chinese knockoff with hacked dev software.
That's something I don't get. I bought an iPhone on eBay a while ago, and I thought it was absolutely clear that I couldn't bid on two phones because of the risk of _winning_ two phones (when I only wanted one) and having to pay for two phones.
I really wish you good luck here.
Too many people can't understand that design follows function (in an ideal world)
Then they cover up their phone with a case, so the bands aren't even visible.
LOL about a non -issue.
I sense an email fromto this user.
Dear Sir,
Please return our device in exchange for a new iPhone 6, iPad Air etc.
They're probably the high bidder....
Humor is an upcoming iOS10 feature, an app that tells you if somethings funny or not
They were going to release it with the first iteration of Apple Maps - but they weren't able to chart any jokes to determine if they were funny.
Dear Internet,
I am pretty sure everyone has it wrong regarding prototype or test unit.
Before the iOS is loaded on every iPhone that is manufactured, it has to pass a Quality control check, part of which are functional/stress tests.
It is almost certain there is a test software package which is loaded on every iPhone once the hardware is assembled, then overwritten by the iOS once the tests are passed successfully.
In order to cope and identify source of problems, such software would include diagnose tools, as it would be really stupid and not time-efficient to load a new diagnosis software on the phone if a test fails.
Apparently, this iPhone did not had its test-software replaced by iOS, so it can be legit, but in no way it's a prototype.
Of course, the only thing which does not cope with the above is the lack of markings on the back cover, but this might be explained if the markings are applied after the iPhone passed all tests successfully. Why would it be like that is anyone's guess. One possible explanation is that the backs are manufactured just with the iPhone logo, maybe by some sub-contractor, then the text is added according to current FCC rules/requirements, which might change from the moment the product is launched so it would not make sense to order 20 million iPhone backs with an already-defined text. You know it will always be written iPhone on the back - so you order them with "iPhone" text, but the small letters and FCC norms are added later, before the product is released.
I suspect this one failed the tests - see the red sticker around the lightning port which is there to protect the phone from scratches (beware lightning dongle!) while the software is loaded in the phone.
Why it is red? because red = danger/defective, and this sticker should probably be removed after final software is loaded and all is OK. If the phone has it, it's not ready yet - I see this as a visual help for the workers, to easily identify the finished products.
It might look a bit fantastic, but it's just a Quality Management process and from my point of view all falls into place.
PS
Excuse my crappy rusty english - obviously, not my native language ;-)
PS2
Just checked my iPhone 5s - all the small text is laser printed, while the iPhone logo and the apple were made using a different process. It is very probable the laser engraving takes place right before the product is released, as it also contains the phone's IMEI so it's a custom text for every phone.
I am pretty sure everyone has it wrong regarding prototype or test unit.
Before the iOS is loaded on every iPhone that is manufactured, it has to pass a Quality control check, part of which are functional/stress tests.
It is almost certain there is a test software package which is loaded on every iPhone once the hardware is assembled, then overwritten by the iOS once the tests are passed successfully.
In order to cope and identify source of problems, such software would include diagnose tools, as it would be really stupid and not time-efficient to load a new diagnosis software on the phone if a test fails.
Apparently, this iPhone did not had its test-software replaced by iOS, so it can be legit, but in no way it's a prototype.
Of course, the only thing which does not cope with the above is the lack of markings on the back cover, but this might be explained if the markings are applied after the iPhone passed all tests successfully. Why would it be like that is anyone's guess. One possible explanation is that the backs are manufactured just with the iPhone logo, maybe by some sub-contractor, then the text is added according to current FCC rules/requirements, which might change from the moment the product is launched so it would not make sense to order 20 million iPhone backs with an already-defined text. You know it will always be written iPhone on the back - so you order them with "iPhone" text, but the small letters and FCC norms are added later, before the product is released.
I suspect this one failed the tests - see the red sticker around the lightning port which is there to protect the phone from scratches (beware lightning dongle!) while the software is loaded in the phone.
Why it is red? because red = danger/defective, and this sticker should probably be removed after final software is loaded and all is OK. If the phone has it, it's not ready yet - I see this as a visual help for the workers, to easily identify the finished products.
It might look a bit fantastic, but it's just a Quality Management process and from my point of view all falls into place.
PS
Excuse my crappy rusty english - obviously, not my native language ;-)
PS2
Just checked my iPhone 5s - all the small text is laser printed, while the iPhone logo and the apple were made using a different process. It is very probable the laser engraving takes place right before the product is released, as it also contains the phone's IMEI so it's a custom text for every phone.
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If this guy is smart he will not transact via PayPal. And if he does, he better cash out his money before shipping the device. he better video all packaging and him bringing it to the post office. He better save receipts, etc. I was scammed out of a MacBook Pro and I had signature confirmation/delivery confirmation, insurance. The guy sent back an emtpy envelope with a tracking number. PayPal gave him his money back and let him keep my computer. After an entire summer, and threatening PayPal with small claims, they finally gave me my money back, including the PayPal fees.
I can only imagine trying to get back $90k. If this guy was smart, he'd do the deal in-person.
I can only imagine trying to get back $90k. If this guy was smart, he'd do the deal in-person.
I know at least three die hard posters who frequent this board frequently that would want this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-R...1483815097?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item27ed3b5cb9
I find it hard to believe that the highest bid is genuine. I mean, no one can force the bidder to pay, worst case scenario he will get unpaid item in his account feedback. The only way that kind of bid could be real, is if it's some Apple competitor's representative or the Apple itself trying to buy it back, which is doubtful.
I find it hard to believe that the highest bid is genuine. I mean, no one can force the bidder to pay, worst case scenario he will get unpaid item in his account feedback. The only way that kind of bid could be real, is if it's some Apple competitor's representative or the Apple itself trying to buy it back, which is doubtful.
I want it. I love prototypes and rare computing devices. However, not at that price...
If you look at all the photos in the eBay list, it shows the same gear as the one Feld and Volk had when they created an iPhone from leaked parts