Rare 4GB Original iPhone Expected to Fetch Up to $100K at Auction

[MacRumors]

A factory sealed original 2007 iPhone is going up for auction starting tomorrow, and it is expected to sell for up to $100,000. While other original iPhones have been sold off in recent months, this is the first model that has 4GB of storage rather than 8GB.

As auction site LCG Auctions explains, the iPhone was originally sold with either 4GB or 8GB of storage when it launched 16 years ago on June 29, 2007. The 8GB model was far more popular, leading Apple to discontinue the 4GB model after just a few months in favor of a higher 16GB capacity.

Because the 4GB original iPhone was only available for a limited amount of time, it is the rarest of the first-generation iPhone models. "Based upon our recent record-setting sales and the fact that the 4GB model is probably 20-times rarer than the 8GB version, we would not be surprised if it establishes a new record sale price," said LCG Auctions founder Mark Montero.

The person selling the iPhone was part of the original engineering team when the iPhone launched, according to LCG Auctions, and it comes with a letter of provenance. The 4GB model was sold for $499, while the 8GB version cost $599.

Just this year, an 8GB original iPhone sold for $63,000 in February, while a second sealed original iPhone with 8GB of storage sold for $54,000 in March.

LCG Auctions is also selling an 8GB original iPhone and a 16GB original iPhone, both of which are factory sealed. The auctions begin on June 30 and run through July 16.

Article Link: Rare 4GB Original iPhone Expected to Fetch Up to $100K at Auction

 

[Applebot1]

Beautiful piece of technology back in the day. Apple at their best.

 

[v0lume4]

To think that iOS itself is 8GB now. Funny how times change.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

MKBHD you are up! You should purchase a 4GB Original iPhone now. Double the cost. This is your chance. Let's go! 🔥

See it in action below 7:15.

 

[sw1tcher]

The person selling the iPhone was part of the original engineering team when the iPhone launched, according to LCG Auctions, and it comes with a letter of provenance.

Perfect opportunity for MR to do a "Original iPhone vs iPhone 15 Pro: What to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade" piece for the seller.

 

[KaliYoni]

Too bad this phone didn't come in a tulip color with a Bored Ape wallpaper...

 

[sw1tcher]

The 4GB model was sold for $499, while the 4GB version cost $599.

What? That can't be right.

 

[doboy]

Still have the original iPhone box and the dented phone in my drawer somewhere. Should've just kept it sealed, haha. Maybe I can get some money for the box only.

 

[doggpt2k]

Camera’s deteriorated since the glory days.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Wow. That's incredible.

Many cycles after that original iPhone, I had my then-retired, launch-day iPhone proudly sitting in its dock on my desk in my office. While away at a funeral, I returned to a ran-sacked house. Of all of the things taken, the one item that I still think about from time to time, is that damn iPhone. Like a lot of petty crime, that device carried $0 value for the thief. But to me, it was a special artifact representing a watershed moment in technology. I have since acquired one of those Grid 1 framed iPhones. While not the same as being able to hold my original, it has been a nice substitute.

 

[ejb190]

Honest question. How stable is the battery in an iPhone like that? Won't it eventually leak ruining everything?

 

[nfl46]

Why do I feel like there are quite a few people in the world that has every iPhone ever made still in the box, and waiting another 20 years to cash out. Lol.

 

[doggpt2k]

Don’t worry everyone, the DAC hasn’t changed in 20 years. 16-Bit stereo for all.

 

[fatTribble]

I still can’t imagine why these are so desirable. I mean I get the nostalgia, but even at a tenth of that price it seems like an odd purchase to me. Just giving an opinion. I realize others will disagree.

 

[macos9rules]

Pay more for less storage, that doesn't make sense to me.

 

[sw1tcher]

Honest question. How stable is the battery in an iPhone like that? Won't it eventually leak ruining everything?

Only if it was made by Duracell

 

[anthogag]

Let the bidding start at $10 🤳

 

[Born Again]

this is so dumb. many of us opened these up new in our life time.

There is absolutely nothing special here. more exciting to give the $100k to a macrumors user and watch him splurge on some medocre AirPod Maxes

 

[afd]

I’ve still got the bag from original iPhone. Is that worth anything? Still works.

 

[contacos]

To think that iOS itself is 8GB now. Funny how times change.

Right? Even my old iPhone 6 with 16 GB is almost full and there is hardly anything (like 3 apps) on it!

 

[till]

This reminds me of the RedLetterMedia video about the "collectible" VHS market, where they suggest that a lot of the supposed market is BS, and the number of actual collectors is probably very small.

Like, the Apple I is a real piece of history produced in very small quantities, I get why people would want one. The first iPhone was a big product, who cares.

 

[Glideslope]

So tired of these original iPhone Auctions. 1st world entertainment.

 

[mannyvel]

That's the iPhone I bought! I sold it for as much as I got it for when the iPhone 3G came out. Good times!

 

[mgworek]

Honest question. How stable is the battery in an iPhone like that? Won't it eventually leak ruining everything?

Should be fine. Before I bought my 11 pro, I was forced to use my 3GS for 6 months. Still powers up and runs of battery today as well.

 

[Crowbot]

Honest question. How stable is the battery in an iPhone like that? Won't it eventually leak ruining everything?

I don't know the economics of these things but I am assuming that a great deal of the value of the thing is that it is unopened. So no one is going to care if it works.
Lithium batteries are generally more stable than a ni-cad or NiMH. If it hasn't been abused it should be OK. I can only assume that the buyer would be able to verify the box's contents through an x-ray. That would likely show up any leakage.