The most recent iPhone is iPhone 14″launched last September – but it all started in 2007 and the first Apple-made smartphones launched that year are now worth more than their original asking price of $499 .
An original, unboxed iPhone 1 is now available up for auction (opens in a new tab) (through AppleInsider (opens in a new tab)) and is expected to fetch up to $50,000 (or around £41,480 / AU$72,235 at today’s exchange rates). It’s not a bad investment after 16 years.
It is “one of the most important and popular inventions of our lifetime” according to the auction listing, a device that “forever changed the smartphone industry” and is now “regarded as the blue-chip properties among high-end collectors”.
Gadgets of the century
Auctioneers refer to two previous auctions for similar items that have neared the $40,000 mark and it looks like prices are likely to increase over the years. As we write this, the highest bid for the item was over $11,000, with the auction running until next Thursday.
It’s clearly one of the most important gadgets of the century – perhaps the gadget of the century – but it’s nothing like a phone today: a tiny 3.5-inch screen from corner to corner. (with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels) and a maximum storage capacity of 16GB. There is a single 2MP camera at the back.
Our review of the first iPhone is still available to read online, and while we like the intuitive interface and “bright display,” we’re disappointed by the lack of 3G connectivity (remember that?) and fixed-focus camera.
Analysis: clean up your drawers
Watching the price of an Apple iPhone 1 skyrocket a hundredfold over the course of 16 years shows how iconic this particular smartphone is – so it’s worth checking out the drawer though your home to find old and vintage tech, but don’t expect to make a lucky one out of you Google Pixel 2For example.
What matters is not only the era but also the manufacturer and the place of a device in history when it comes to valuing older technology. Collectors seem to love Apple, and you may remember that an Apple-1 computer built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak went for $400,000. back in 2021.
Condition is also important – you won’t get much money for your vintage gadgets if you used them for a few years before shoving them back in the box. If you’re planning on getting into the long-term tech investment game, keep your electronic device in its original packaging.
It’s hard to predict what will be the next must-have tech collectible, but consoles and Apple devices can be good options – if you can afford it, you should keep one. Apple AR/VR . Headset or one Nintendo Switch 2 hidden somewhere, if and when they come out.
