On Sunday, an unopened 8-GB first-generation iPhone, still in its factory-sealed box, sold at auction for an astonishing $63,356.40. The phone was estimated to fetch at least $50,000, but its final sale price far exceeded expectations. In fact, the Apple relic sold for over 100 times its original price of $599 in 2007. The LCG Auction’s website reported that the bidding for the 2007 phone began on February 2nd, starting at $2,500, and received online bids from 27 individuals via LCG auctions.
During its release in 2007, the first-generation iPhone boasted an innovative touchscreen, a web browser, and a 2 MP camera. At that time, consumers could purchase the model with 4 GB of storage for $499, or opt for the 8 GB version for $599, which was the one that went under the hammer. By the end of the auction on Sunday, the product – which was still sealed in its original packaging – had received 27 bids. A photograph of the phone still encased in an unopened black box was displayed on the auction website.
According to a Business Insider report, cosmetic tattoo artist Karen Green originally received the iPhone over ten years ago as a gift. However, she couldn’t use it since it was designed to work only on AT&T’s network at the time, and she was with Verizon. As a result, she never opened the package and kept it unused on her shelf for twelve years as she wasn’t ready to switch carriers.
In 2019, she had the phone appraised on the TV show “The Doctor & The Diva,” during its “Treasure Hunt” segment. The show’s appraiser valued it at $5,000, but Green chose to keep it, convinced that it would never go out of date. After all, it is an Apple iPhone device. In October of that same year, Green learned that an unopened, first-generation iPhone had sold for $39,339 in an earlier LCG auction.
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- 6.1" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 128 GB Flash Memory
Green however said she had no plans to sell the iPhone but chose to do so as she needed money to support her digital tattoo studio in New Jersey.
Quick Recap
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- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
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- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
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- Vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology. Action mode for smooth, steady, handheld videos.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
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