First-gen iPhone sells for P10 million at auction
Would you buy a 16-year-old phone for PhP10 million? Because that's more or less the amount that one person paid to get their hands on a first-generation iPhone.
The Associated Press reports that an unopened 4GB model of the 2007 first generation iPhone sold for $190,373 at an auction held by LCG Auctions over the weekend. Based on current exchange rates, that would be PhP10,383,987. The huge price tag is being attributed to the fact that the 4GB model was discontinued just two months after its launch in 2007 since customers preferred the 8GB version. During its launch, the 4GB iPhone model was sold for $499 or PhP27,218, based on current exchange rates.
Mark Montero, founder of LCG Auctions, declared the amount a “new bar” and a “fantastic record breaking sale.”
This isn't the first time that an unopened first generation iPhone has fetched spectacular prices at auction. Back in August last year, an unopened first generation iPhone sold at auction for $35,414 or PhP1,931,673 based on current exchange rates.
The phone was sold by RR Auction, an auction house based in Boston known for auctioning historic artifacts, rare documents, manuscripts, and autographs.
According to HypeBeast, the phone came in a brand new factory-sealed box indicating it was made in 2007. The image of the original iPhone, along with its initial 12 icons, are featured on the box. iTunes, which is also a given in iPhones today, was not included as it would only be launched in 2008.
First generation iPhones aren't the only contemporary artifact selling for huge sums in auction over the past few months. Back in June 2022, a rare LeBron James trading card was put up for auction at $6 million or PhP327,272,915, based on current exchange rates.
Also last year, a rare 1999 Pokémon Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard card sold for $420,000 or PhP22,909,104.
Last year also saw a collection of Nike Air Force 1s sold for $502,362 or PhP27,401,579, based on current exchange rates.
CHECK OUT THE DIFFERENT AIR FORCE 1S THAT SOLD IN AUCTION IN THE GALLERY BELOW.
