In a remarkable turn of events, a 2007 Apple iPhone, which was launched by Steve Jobs with the promise to “reinvent the phone,” has been sold at an auction for an astonishing $190,372.80 (£145,416) – a staggering 300 times its original sale price.
This particular model was the 4GB version, initially purchased for $599, and it retained its factory wrapping, remaining in exceptional condition, as stated in the auction listing. LCG Auctions, the auctioneer, described the device as an “exceedingly rare” and “popular high-end collectible.”
The auction garnered a total of 28 bids, starting from an initial bid of $10,000. LCG Auctions had previously sold another first-generation iPhone in February for $63,356, while Wright Auctions achieved a sale of a first-generation iPhone for $40,320 in March.
LCG Auctions referred to this iPhone as a “holy grail” among collectors due to its extreme scarcity. It is uncommon to find a first-generation iPhone in such pristine condition, without any damage to its display or broken buttons.
Of notable significance, the consignor of this iPhone was a member of the original engineering team at Apple during the iPhone’s initial launch.
This year marks the 16th anniversary since Steve Jobs, the then CEO of Apple, introduced the groundbreaking iPhone at Macworld in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. During the event, Jobs declared, “Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.”
The iPhone swiftly became Apple’s most successful product and was recognized as the invention of the year in 2007 by Time magazine.
The 4GB model was discontinued shortly after its launch due to lower sales figures and the subsequent release of an 8GB model.
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