Sealed unique iPhone breaks document with $158,000 worth

On the finish of June, one other sealed unique iPhone got here up for public sale. Nevertheless, this time round, it was a really uncommon mannequin, the 4GB model of the smartphone that was solely produced for a few months. After beginning the public sale with an estimated worth of as much as $100,000, this iPhone has blown previous the world document, promoting for a whopping $158,000.

We’ve seen a whole lot of sealed unique iPhones go up for public sale within the final 12 months. However after a document was set in February at $63,000, demand and costs died down over the previous few months.

As the unique iPhone mania appeared to have peak, one in April went for simply over $18,000 – a $45,000 drop from the February public sale.

Regardless of that, LCG Auctions estimated that the first launch 4GB sealed unique iPhone would promote for between $50,000-$100,000. Bidding began at $10,000 for the uncommon 4GB mannequin on June 30 and up till yesterday, the best bid was slightly below $42,000.

However within the last day and hours of the public sale, the demand was intense with bidding leaping from $67,000 all the best way as much as $158,644. That’s 250% greater than the $63,000 February document for the uncommon 4GB unique iPhone.

And in comparison with the unique $499 worth of the 4GB mannequin, that’s roughly a 318x improve in worth over the past 16 years.

Notably, this uncommon iPhone got here from a former Apple engineer that labored on the smartphone. Right here’s how LCG Public sale described the situation of this 4GB sealed unique iPhone:

Our providing is an exceedingly uncommon, manufacturing unit sealed, first-release 4GB mannequin in distinctive situation. Nearly flawless alongside the floor and edges, the manufacturing unit seal is clear with appropriate seam particulars and tightness. Labels on the reverse are appropriately pristine beneath the seal. Excellent colour and gloss. Model new, by no means activated. The cellphone’s provenance is pristine because the consignor was a part of the unique engineering group at Apple when the iPhone first launched. Collectors and traders can be onerous pressed to discover a superior instance. Relevance and rarity comprise a successful components for this red-hot collectible. Mannequin A1203, Order MA501LL/A 4GB)

And it’s certainly the 4GB distinction for this uncommon unique iPhone that’s made the distinction within the promoting worth. Additionally on this lot was one other 8GB sealed unique iPhone that went for simply $44,771.