Yoodley is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
LCG Auctions has sold the rare 4GB model of a factory-sealed original iPhone for $190,372.80. The price went beyond the expected 50,000 to 100,000 selling price of the unit, which was placed on an auction in June.
The bidding was held until yesterday, July 16, with a huge price of $158,644. Nonetheless, the auction was closed with a surprising $190K price, nearly double the expected maximum $100k selling price of the unique 4GB iPhone model.
Apple first released the model in June 2007, with the 4GB variants having a very limited production time as the company chose to favor the 8GB model due to its popularity. With this, the 4GB model was only manufactured for a few months, making it rare compared to its 8GB counterpart. LCG Auctions founder Mark Montero described the unit as “probably 20-times rarer than the 8GB version.”
The unit was originally owned by a person who was a part of Apple’s original engineering team when the models were introduced. During the auction, the package was also promised with a letter of provenance, further adding to the item’s value.
“Our offering is an exceedingly rare, factory sealed, first-release 4GB model in exceptional condition,” LCG Auctions shares in the bidding page of the unit. “Virtually flawless along the surface and edges, the factory seal is clean with correct seam details and tightness. Labels on the reverse are correctly pristine beneath the seal. Outstanding color and gloss. Brand new, never activated. The phone’s provenance is pristine as the consignor was part of the original engineering team at Apple when the iPhone first launched. Collectors and investors would be hard pressed to find a superior example. Relevance and rarity comprise a winning formula for this red-hot collectible.”
The unsealed 4GB model is just one of the latest original iPhones sold by LCG Auctions. Others include the sealed and original 8GB iPhone, 16GB iPhone, and the first European model iPhone, which were sold for $53,725, $13,789, and $7,075, respectively.
