OG 2007 iPhone sold for USD 190,372 at auction

LCG Auctions has just sold a factory-sealed, first release iPhone (2007) for the staggering amount of USD 190,372PHP 11,172,076INR 16,133,989EUR 181,291CNY 1,385,585.

As posted on June 30, 2023, the starting bid was USD 10,000PHP 586,855INR 847,498EUR 9,523CNY 72,783. The estimated value for this unit was initially between USD 50,000PHP 2,934,275INR 4,237,490EUR 47,615CNY 363,915 to USD 100,000PHP 5,868,550INR 8,474,980EUR 95,230CNY 727,830. The bidding went slow at first until the price skyrocketed from July 13th to 16th in a series of tenacious biddings—eventually reaching the final amount.

The auction house reasoned out that “The original 4GB model is considered a “Holy Grail” amongst iPhone collectors.”

The 4GB model of the original iPhone, which debuted on June 29th, 2007 alongside the 8GB model, was not as popular due to slow sales.

Buyers preferred to pay an extra $100PHP 5,869INR 8,475EUR 95CNY 728 for double the storage space, resulting in Apple discontinuing the 4GB model just over two months after its release. This limited production has made the 4GB model extremely rare and sought after among iPhone collectors.

Steve Jobs, the late CEO of Apple, was the driving force behind the development of the original iPhone. The launch of the iPhone in 2007 had a considerably huge influence on the smartphone industry as we know it today. 16 years later, it’s no surprise that the OG iPhone sold for THAT record-breaking bid.

Furthermore, the 8GB versions of the 2007 factory sealed first-edition iPhone have been selling for record prices in the past months. With a record price of USD 39,339PHP 2,308,629INR 3,333,972EUR 37,463CNY 286,321 closed in October 2022 and a newer record price of USD 63,356PHP 3,718,079INR 5,369,408EUR 60,334CNY 461,124 this February.

So, if you ever have an unopened iPhone unit, now’s prolly the time to auction it.