The first generation iPhone, which was still kept in its box and sealed, sold at a fantastic price. The 2007 HP was auctioned off at a price of USD 63,356.
The sale was made by auction house LCG Auctions, which initially estimated that the iPhone would sell for USD 50,000. The auction was opened at a price of USD 2,500 and LCG Auctions received 27 bids, as quoted from PCMag, Tuesday (21/2/2023).
The first generation iPhone that was auctioned was a variant with 8GB of internal memory which was released at a price of USD 599. This means that 16 years later the antique iPhone was sold for more than 10 times its original price.
The rare iPhone belongs to Karen Green, a tattoo artist from the United States. He got the iPhone as a gift but never opened it.
When he was awarded the iPhone, Green already had a contract with the Verizon operator, even though at that time the iPhone only supported the AT&T network. Reluctant to change operators, Green just kept the iPhone in the cupboard, wrapped in pajamas.
In the last 15 years, Green has several times planned to sell his iPhone. In 2019, Green guest-starred on the TV show The Doctor & The Diva where an antiquities expert on the show estimated the iPhone to be worth $5,000.
However, in 2023 Green is only sure to sell the iPhone because he needs funds to set up a tattoo studio business. If he doesn't need money, he admits that he will keep the iPhone for another 10 years.
This isn't the first time that a sealed, first-generation iPhone has been auctioned off for insanely high prices. Last year, the original, sealed iPhone sold for USD 39,000.
