In a recent LCG Auctions, a gem for iPhone fans was on display – factory-sealed iPhone 4GB, an item nobody had anticipated seeing, suddenly took the spotlight. The starting bid for this immaculate device was a humble $10,000, but it quickly escalated, as its value was estimated to range between $50,000 and $100,000. And as the bids started coming in, the tension began to build.
And then, a bidding war broke out. The winning bid ultimately soared to an astounding $190,372, leaving everyone in awe. The final price even surpassed that of the typically higher valued 8GB models. iPhone devotees were surely gobsmacked!
The Rarity of the 4GB iPhone
Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone for the first time on January 9, 2007, at MacWorld San Francisco. A little over five months later, on June 29, it hit the retail shelves with a price tag of $499/$599. The initial iPhone came with 4/8 GB of storage, a novel touchscreen, a 2-megapixel camera, and an internet browser. The recognizable box showcased a life-size display of the iPhone with 12 icons on the screen. It rapidly transformed into Apple’s most lucrative product, revolutionized the smartphone industry, and earned the title of Time Magazine‘s Invention of the Year in 2007.
Often hailed as the “Holy Grail” among fans of the iconic Apple device, the 4GB iPhone carries an aura of reverence. Why, you ask? Its extraordinariness comes from its limited production run. Apple released this particular model alongside its 8GB sibling – however, the 4GB version faced a tough sell.
- Consumers were more inclined to shell out an extra $100 for double the storage.
- The demand for the 4GB model was, therefore, relatively low.
As a result, Apple decided to pull the plug on the 4GB model on September 5, 2007, just two months post its debut. This significant move further solidified its rarity and desirability among collectors.
