“Apple prototypes going up for auction has become common over recent years, but something we don’t see as often are prototype iPhones,” Chance Miller reports for 9to5Mac. “Today, a prototype first-generation iPhone has hit the auction block through eBay – and it’s already above $1,000.”
“The seller of this prototype iPhone is a small account out of Portland, Oregon. They don’t make the origin of this device clear, but various markings and the operating system match other prototype first-generation iPhone units that we have seen,” Miller reports. “The seller claims that this iPhone is from 2006 and was ‘hand-made in Cupertino, California.’ Because of this, it weighs in at 144.5 grams, which is much more than the first-generation iPhone’s normal 135 grams.”
“On the back of the iPhone itself is a rundown of radio signal bands, as well as a version indicator, which seemingly suggests that this is version 1.1.1 of the iPhone,” Miller reports. “The device is running ‘multiple testing software’ versions, the seller says, including OS X.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: The high bid currently stands at US$12,400 and the reserve has not yet been met.
wow, this is a very special iPhone, if a real proto type as the article says, then i have a feeling Steve Jobs handled it and tested it out and gave feed back to his team. Great iconic and historic Apple product this one. An iphone like this is going to leave road kill victims like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Crack Barry and others. Steve Ballmer worst night mare also 🙂 A life changing Prototype I phone
A lot to pay for something without much provenance or apparently any documentation.
Even OS X all the way back then! Pretty neat stuff.
It is currently at $13,000
In related news, the motherboard for the first Android phone ever made was sold for a record breaking price yesterday on the exclusive and upscale auctioneering site called eBay.
Bidding was fierce, with 17 participants engaging in a harsh, no prisoners taken, bidding war.
The lucky winner who was able to walk away with the rare, one of a kind item, came in with a bold bid of $1.43 USD in the final minutes of the frenzied auction. The remaining 16 bidders just couldn’t compete with the big spender who was ultimately successful in scoring the prized historical item. “This item will go down in history as a significant technical achievement and is the inspiration for all modern phones made today”, claimed the winner, John Smith, while being interviewed in front of his domicile, a cardboard box.