Sealed iPhone 2G Hits Record Sale Price, Matching a Condominium in Vietnam

Ever heard of those gold-plated, diamond-studded iPhones? They fetch at most a few thousand dollars, perhaps tens of thousands. But there are also iPhones devoid of such embellishments yet valued as much as a condominium in Vietnam, their specs so outdated that they're deemed 'unusable' – these are the vintage iPhones, carefully preserved by their owners over time.

In a recent auction, a decades-old sealed iPhone commanded hundreds of thousands of dollars, setting a new record in history. It can be considered a valuable antique for collectors.

This unique iPhone 2G, still sealed in its original packaging, is estimated to be worth between $50,000 and $100,000 (equivalent to over 1.2 billion to over 2.5 billion VND). But what's noteworthy is its final selling price: $158,644 (or possibly up to $190,372 if the buyer opts for insurance).

This figure exceeds the previous record price for a first-generation iPhone by about $95,000, set at an auction in February. It truly sets a new record and astounds everyone with the value of a phone considered a collectible.

LCG Auctions - an organization hosting auctions in Los Angeles - has announced the auction of this special item. What's even more unique is that this iPhone 2G only has a 4GB ROM capacity, making it even rarer than other products. The 4GB ROM version of the iPhone 2G is extremely rare as it was not produced in large quantities.

In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone 2G with a 4GB ROM version. However, this product line was immediately discontinued after two months of release due to low sales compared to the 8GB ROM version. With a phone that was only on the market for 2 months, the fact that it remains sealed and intact to this day (15 years after its release) is truly remarkable.

Explaining why this phone is so well preserved, LCG Auctions stated: 'The original iPhone 2G 4GB ROM is because its owner was one of the technical employees who worked for Apple when the first iPhone was released.' Its association with the manufacturer and knowing its reputable origin significantly boosted its value.

In 2007, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 2G at MacWorld San Francisco. This phone impressed with its 3.5-inch touch screen and sleek design. The 4GB ROM version was sold for $499, and the 8GB ROM version was sold for $599. Adjusted for inflation and auction prices today, this iPhone 2G 4GB ROM has appreciated 318 times its original price.

This is the phone that revolutionized the current smartphone industry, making Apple one of the most successful corporations to date. After all this time, Apple is now preparing to launch its latest iPhone lineup - with prices in the thousands of dollars. However, comparing that amount to the recently auctioned iPhone 2G 4GB ROM is like comparing a drop in the ocean.

Through this, we can see that antiques always hold value from a certain perspective that only a specific group of customers can recognize. Knowing this, we could spend just over $1,000 to buy and keep it sealed, stored carefully for two decades, and potentially become 'millionaires' as a result.

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