On 9 January 2007 at MacWorld San Francisco, Steve Jobs introduced the very first iPhone, which would forever revolutionise the mobile phone industry. Fifteen years later, Apple has released countless new models with annual updates and over two billion iPhones have been sold. However, the early editions of the iPhone, now considered tech 'antiques', are highly coveted and can sell for tens of thousands at auction.
A new record for one of these first generation iPhones was set on 16 October when a factory-sealed 8GB iPhone sold for $39,339 at LCG Auctions. This iPhone originally retailed for $599 in 2007, and the latest version of the iPhone 14 starts at $799 today.
See also: Apple Manual Signed by Steve Jobs Auctioned for over $700K
"We are thrilled to bring such an iconic item to auction,” said Mark Montero, founder of LCG Auctions. “A first edition iPhone from 2007 still preserved in its original packaging and in mint condition is a museum-quality piece. There is really no collector’s item I can think of that is relevant to so many. The combination of cultural relevance and rarity make it an extremely desirable piece both from a collector and investor perspective.”
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Bids started at $2,500, and the iPhone received 28 bids before the winning price was achieved. In August, another sealed first edition iPhone sold for around $35,000.
Early Apple products and Steve Jobs memorabilia often fetch sky-high prices at auction. Last year, an Apple manual from 1980 signed by Jobs sold for $787,484.
