TECH NEWS – Such was the price paid for a now truly obsolete phone that could get you almost eighty iPhone 14 base models…

It’s been more than 15 years since the launch of the iPhone, which since 2007 has revolutionized how we use our phones (touchscreen instead of buttons, apps, and more features that are now unavoidable in today’s smartphones). Today, Apple is on iPhone 14, with the 15th range coming in the autumn, and while the annual release is hard to keep up with, it’s undeniable that technology has come a long way since 2007.

A sealed first-gen iPhone was sold by LCG Auctions. The bidding ran from February 2 to 19 for the device, which the owner received as a gift from friends n 2007 and was then only available for use with AT&T. The owner put the phone away instead, and a decade and a half later, it turned up at auction for the highest price ever: $63,356.40. To put it in context, you can buy 79 iPhone 14s for that price, and back then, the phone was available for $599, so the price has gone up hundred and five times…

“Highly desirable factory sealed first-generation original Apple iPhone from 2007. One of the most essential and ubiquitous inventions of our lifetime, the iPhone, was first introduced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, at MacWorld San Francisco. Just over five months later, it was released at retail for $499/$599 on June 29. The original iPhone included 4/8 GB of storage, an innovative touchscreen, a 2-megapixel camera, and a web browser. The iconic box featured a life-size image of the iPhone with 12 icons on the screen. It quickly became Apple’s most successful product, forever changed the smartphone industry, and was named the Time Magazine Invention of the Year in 2007.

The original first-release iPhone in factory-sealed condition is regarded as a blue-chip asset amongst high-end collectors. Impressive public sales of $35,414 in August and $39,339 in October last year resulted in widespread media coverage from major outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fox Business, and others. There’s little doubt that interest in culturally relevant collectibles is rapidly increasing, and despite the impressive sales numbers, many believe the space is still in its infancy. We are pleased to present an iconic factory-sealed, first-release iPhone in outstanding condition. Our offering was consigned by the phone’s original owner, Karen Green, and is coupled with a great backstory first shared on the Treasure Hunt segment of the syndicated television show “The Doctor & The Diva.” Almost 16 years old, the phone presents magnificently, showcasing sharp corners front and back, rich color, and “case fresh” features. The labels on the reverse are pristine beneath the seal, and shelf wear is minimal. This is the first original iPhone in acceptable condition to hit the auction block since the record-breaking sale in October. A truly remarkable piece with great appeal to collectors and investors alike,” LCG Auctions wrote.

The price paid for the device is shocking.

Source: WCCFTech