White iPhone 4 Prototype purchased from eBay

[techgirl117]

Almost always no, and they take down the auction. Somehow I snagged this because no one believed it was a prototype and it was not advertised as one. Most auctions that are advertised as "IPHONE PROTOTYPE" are taken down within hours if they get coverage by the media.

I actually spotted one on eBay and the next day I checked the listing and it said it wasn't available. I can't believe you got an iPhone 4 prototype for $395! Don't iPhone 4 prototypes go for over $1000? If the iPhone is indeed a prototype you can resell it for a profit. Keep us posted.

 

[awadeee]

I was just saying that I didn't understood the reason why people would like a prototype, I prefer the final product because I don't feel the need nor want a prototype, but if the OP always wanted and gives the prototype value because it's what he wanted, then it's another story and so I encourage him.

I don't see why anyone would buy a prototype if they weren't the type to give a prototype value. He's obviously in it so that he can have a "piece of Apple history", which he's stated several times. It's not like he expected to receive a completely working product.

 

[ViPhone]

Thank you! Yes actually, that is one of the options I am weighing. Know what I can make?

I'd love to work something out with you .

I don't have access to the Marketplace however, something very very unfortunate.

 

[Mars478]

I'd love to work something out with you .

I don't have access to the Marketplace however, something very very unfortunate.

Send me an email I'm pretty open at the moment.

 

[Mars478]

Very awesome find.

Thanks

I read all of the posts and at first I have to say I didn't believe it was a prototype. Now I've changed my mind and I do believe it's a prototype! It does suck though that you have to wait so long until you can get your hands on it! Good job on taking a gamble and coming out the winner!

Thank you. I didn't believe it for sure till I got the photos myself!

Then you are one lucky guy, congratulations on your new purchase. hopefully it actually starts working

I really do feel lucky I need to see if I should attempt to fix the battery connector or leave it As-Is. Any iOS installs I should attempt?

Congrats on that, that's really cool! Can't wait to see some hi-res shots!

Thanks! I can't wait to take said high res shots!

I just don't know why would anyone want a prototype when they could have a final product fully functional.

Well, really, it's just because it's a piece of history. It has personal value to me, as I am an Apple fan (have owned every single iPhone released) and I believe it has value to others, considering the uproar over the whole Antennagate, this particular prototype being a white one before they changed the proximity, and the Gizmodo incident.

I will not give you a reason to reply me back because I don't feed trolls.

I was just saying that I didn't understood the reason why people would like a prototype, I prefer the final product because I don't feel the need nor want a prototype, but if the OP always wanted and gives the prototype value because it's what he wanted, then it's another story and so I encourage him.

Personal opinion... but also a valid one. Yes the usefulness of a prototype is debatable (well actually, they're almost always useless as a functional, working device). Anyways it does have personal value, and yes it is most definitely what I wanted. Prototype have an interesting story because if you imagine all of the things they went through before becoming the final product... it makes your brain explode!

 

[Mars478]

Congrats On The Find! Can't wait to see some more images. Don't know if this is of any interest to you;
http://gizmodo.com/5817879/prototype-iphone-4-on-sale-at-ebay-for-1500
I know it's a black prototype but none the less it is a iPhone 4 prototype that went for sale on the bay. The listing was removed but it had 7 days to go and was up at $1,525.

Woah! That would be a great profit. I'm pretty sure I will unable to sell it on eBay, because Apple will pull the listing (as the always do with phones that are clearly prototypes) and I doubt I will get the same money because mine has an issue with the battery connector.

I actually spotted one on eBay and the next day I checked the listing and it said it wasn't available. I can't believe you got an iPhone 4 prototype for $395! Don't iPhone 4 prototypes go for over $1000? If the iPhone is indeed a prototype you can resell it for a profit. Keep us posted.

Awesome! You should've screenshotted it! Apple is quick with the delete button on the Prototype iPhone listings... But yes they go for over 1000$. I will let you know.

I don't see why anyone would buy a prototype if they weren't the type to give a prototype value. He's obviously in it so that he can have a "piece of Apple history", which he's stated several times. It's not like he expected to receive a completely working product.

Exactly. I honestly wasn't quite sure of what I was going to receive. I was about 50% sure it was a prototype... the other 50% was a gamble.

 

[trajen]

Are you going to try to get iOS running on that proto?

 

[techgirl117]

Awesome! You should've screenshotted it! Apple is quick with the delete button on the Prototype iPhone listings... But yes they go for over 1000$. I will let you know.

Yeah I know I should have screenshotted it but at the moment I didn't think about it. You said the iPhone 4 prototype you bought has a battery connector issue? Are you going to try to fix it?

 

[Mars478]

Are you going to try to get iOS running on that proto?

I guess I'll give it a shot. Apparently according to the listing it is in restore mode with error 1611 when a restore is attempted. I don't have access to the device itself until the 22nd of august, but if I try to get iOS running, I'm not sure what version! An early version of iOS 4.0.0? I'm confused as to what to do. Many of these prototypes that are in restore mode never come out of it because the .ipsw's are not available.

Yeah I know I should have screenshotted it but at the moment I didn't think about it. You said the iPhone 4 prototype you bought has a battery connector issue? Are you going to try to fix it?

Oh well, next time.
It does. Two of the pins are missing apparently from the photo. It starts up when plugged in as far as I know. I'm not sure! Should I try to fix it? Or should I leave it as is? I want to preserve the value as much as I can! I could try to make some new pins, or get a broken iPhone 4 mobo off of ebay and salvage the connector from there... Thoughts?

 

[ViPhone]

My thoughts are detailed in the e-mail I sent you.

 

[Mars478]

My thoughts are detailed in the e-mail I sent you.

Send it to the @gmail.com account.

 

[awadeee]

In the above message I was trying to quote you but I'm posting from my iPhone 4 so it messed it up. Sorry about the messed up quote.

You can edit your posts after posting and you aren't forced to use the mobile version of the site. Just for future reference!

Oh well, next time.
It does. Two of the pins are missing apparently from the photo. It starts up when plugged in as far as I know. I'm not sure! Should I try to fix it? Or should I leave it as is? I want to preserve the value as much as I can! I could try to make some new pins, or get a broken iPhone 4 mobo off of ebay and salvage the connector from there... Thoughts?

I would consider getting replacement parts to make the phone functional while keeping as many proto parts inside of it as possible. Any damaged proto parts you remove, I recommend storing in a box and keeping.

 

[Mars478]

I would consider getting replacement parts to make the phone functional while keeping as many proto parts inside of it as possible. Any damaged proto parts you remove, I recommend storing in a box and keeping.

This is a good idea! If I remove any parts I will do this. I haven't inspected the battery port yet as my family does not want to take the phone apart, and neither do I want them to. I guess we'll have to wait till the 22nd for that

 

[awadeee]

This is a good idea! If I remove any parts I will do this. I haven't inspected the battery port yet as my family does not want to take the phone apart, and neither do I want them to. I guess we'll have to wait till the 22nd for that

That way if you ever decide to sell, you'll still have all of the authentic proto parts to include, even if they don't function!

 

[techgirl117]

Oh well, next time.
It does. Two of the pins are missing apparently from the photo. It starts up when plugged in as far as I know. I'm not sure! Should I try to fix it? Or should I leave it as is? I want to preserve the value as much as I can! I could try to make some new pins, or get a broken iPhone 4 mobo off of ebay and salvage the connector from there... Thoughts?

Yeah I'll remember next time. Well I think you should replace the parts needed and keep whatever damaged parts from the prototype you remove because after all they are part of a iPhone 4 prototype parts. You could try eBay and see how that works. What were you thinking of doing?

 

[techgirl117]

You can edit your posts after posting and you aren't forced to use the mobile version of the site. Just for future reference!

Thanks

 

[techgirl117]

I would consider getting replacement parts to make the phone functional while keeping as many proto parts inside of it as possible. Any damaged proto parts you remove, I recommend storing in a box and keeping.

I agree! I posted something after you that basically said the same thing because I didn't see your post until now.

 

[techgirl117]

That way if you ever decide to sell, you'll still have all of the authentic proto parts to include, even if they don't function!

I was thinking just that! I think if he included the original pieces it would make the buyer know that the whole prototype is complete even though the parts were removed and don't function.

 

[awadeee]

I agree! I posted something after you that basically said the same thing because I didn't see your post until now.

Please note that you can also use multiquote, it is the smaller button beside the "quote" button. You may get warned by the mods soon for not using it so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

 

[Mars478]

So should I attempt a fix on the battery connector while retaining the original piece?

 

[awadeee]

So should I attempt a fix on the battery connector while retaining the original piece?

Isn't the battery connector on the logic board? You would probably be better off purchasing a new logic board. I would try a new battery first though.

 

[Mars478]

Isn't the battery connector on the logic board? You would probably be better off purchasing a new logic board. I would try a new battery first though.

It is on the Logic Board. But from the pictures in the auction (re attached here) it seems to be missing two of the contact pins. I could possibly solder the pins back, or remove the whole connector. Luckily they connector is probably the biggest and most primitive on the whole board... so it may be easy to fix. If I do get another mobo I would take the connector from it, because I'm pretty sure the motherboard is a prototype (this much we have not confirmed yet!) as is the battery.

 

[techgirl117]

Please note that you can also use multiquote, it is the smaller button beside the "quote" button. You may get warned by the mods soon for not using it so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

Ok thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it

 

[Mars478]

I think it would be better to buy this instead of a whole mobo...
http://cgi.ebay.com/FPC-Flex-Batter...Accessories&hash=item2564427180#ht_4951wt_986

 

[kbfr08]

It is on the Logic Board. But from the pictures in the auction (re attached here) it seems to be missing two of the contact pins. I could possibly solder the pins back, or remove the whole connector. Luckily they connector is probably the biggest and most primitive on the whole board... so it may be easy to fix. If I do get another mobo I would take the connector from it, because I'm pretty sure the motherboard is a prototype (this much we have not confirmed yet!) as is the battery.

Here's the catch with that battery connector: The pins are nearly impossible to reach with a normal soldering iron. Well, without clipping a capacitor, or melting something. If I were you, I'd remove the connector, desolder the ribbon from the battery PCB, and just use thin wires to connect the battery to the board.

** If you do mess up the pads while soldering, you can jumper the wires to small components located underneath the lower EMI shield. There's schematics available, hint: search on google "site:wenku.baidu.com iPhone N90 murata" its the first 2 links.