A remarkable piece of technology history, a first-generation iPhone, was sold at an auction for an astounding $190,373. This sale price is nearly 380 times the original retail value of $499 when the groundbreaking device was first introduced to the market in 2007.
The auction, hosted by LCG Auctions, revealed that the 4GB iPhone model holds significant rarity compared to its 8GB counterpart, which was released at the same time for $599. In fact, the 4GB model is approximately 20 times more scarce than the 8GB version. This scarcity is primarily due to the 4GB model being discontinued merely two months after its initial launch. Customers overwhelmingly favored the larger memory size available in the 8GB model.
Mark Montero, founder of LCG Auctions, expressed his excitement about the record-breaking sale by stating, “A new bar was set Sunday night. We are thrilled to be a part of this fantastic record-breaking sale.”
Interestingly, this marks the third occasion within the past year where original iPhones have fetched extraordinary prices at auctions. In February, an 8GB model achieved a sale price of $63,356, while in October 2022, another 8GB model was sold for $39,340. It’s noteworthy that all these iPhones were still factory sealed in their original packaging, further amplifying their desirability and value.
Undoubtedly, the iPhone has undoubtedly become one of the most successful electronic products worldwide. Its groundbreaking features and innovative design have significantly contributed to Apple’s immense success. In fact, Apple recently became the first publicly held company to reach a remarkable market value of $3 trillion. Remarkably, this feat was accomplished merely 16 years after the initial iPhones were introduced to consumers.
The sale of this first-generation iPhone serves as a testament to its enduring impact on technology and its continued status as a highly sought-after collector’s item.