The year 2007 was a notable one for memorable launches. Highlights include Britney Spears’ album “Blackout,” Disney/Pixar’s film “Ratatouille,” and the introduction of the first iPhone.
New technology always captures public attention. Despite the many iterations of the iPhone since then, the original remains a point of fascination. As many collectors know, acquiring an old device still in its original box can be quite expensive.
The debut iPhone — referred to as the iPhone 2G or first generation — was revealed by Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, in 2007. The starting price was $499 for the 4GB version and $599 for the 8GB version. Recently, these original iPhones have fetched up to $63,000 at auctions.
One devoted Apple enthusiast, Marques Brownlee, managed to purchase an original, unopened iPhone. He acquired this pioneering device for $40,000 and shared the unboxing experience with his audience.
Brownlee notes to his followers that the most coveted item among tech collectors is the factory-sealed, untouched, original iPhone. Finding such a device is understandably rare, as most people would use a newly purchased gadget. Yet, some foresaw the iPhone’s future value and kept it sealed.
Brownlee explains that there are instances where people reseal used original iPhones to sell them as new. They go to great lengths to make the scam convincing.
When Brownlee won the auction, he paid $40,320 for the iPhone, which was delivered in an enormous wooden box. Initially, he bid $32,000 before the auction price soared.
Upon opening the packaging and removing the bubble wrap, Brownlee discovered the pristine (yet vintage) iPhone. A ‘lucky you’ sticker was on the box, indicating it was sometimes used if the phone was intended as a gift.
Fortunately, the phone was a genuinely factory-sealed new unit. Inside, he found the user manuals, a microfiber screen cleaner, and Apple stickers. The package also included a sealed USB-A wall plug, a 30-pin dock with a headphone jack, a 30-pin charging and data cable, and classic earphones.
Initially, the iPhone didn’t power on because of its aged battery, but Brownlee was able to charge it eventually.
The latest model, the iPhone 16, is available in five colors: white, black, ultra marine, teal, and pink, all featuring an aerospace-grade aluminum finish. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus start at $799 and $899, respectively.