I Spent $40,000 to Unbox a Sealed Original iPhone! | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

An unopened, original iPhone from 2007 is incredibly rare and valuable in the collector's market, with prices reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

Key Insights

• 📱 It is extremely rare to find a factory-sealed, unopened original iPhone from 2007, making it a highly sought-after collector's item. People have been scammed by sellers who seal used iPhones and pass them off as originals.
• 💰 The value of unopened original iPhones has increased over time, with one selling for over $60,000 at auction. However, prices can fluctuate, and some factors like minor damage or unique stickers can impact the final sale price.
• 🔍 Verifying the authenticity of unopened iPhones can be challenging, with X-rays only confirming the presence of accessories in the box. Trust is required when determining if the phone itself has never been opened.
• 🎁 The original iPhone came with a 30-pin dock, USB wall brick, a 30-pin USB cable, Apple earpods, and a large SIM card that was exclusive to AT&T/Singular. ⏳ Despite its age, the original iPhone can still turn on and function (with some difficulty), but its value as a collector's item does not compare to a brand new, untouched version.
• 📚 The original iPhone did not have an App Store and could not have a custom wallpaper. All iPhones looked the same, and users relied solely on pre-installed apps.
• 🌍 The auction process for purchasing rare items, such as a sealed iPhone, can be intense and competitive. Auction houses conduct live-streamed bidding events, and buyers participate from all over the world.
• 😳 The value of a sealed iPhone has decreased over time, making it less financially viable as an investment. Despite the lower value, the experience of owning and exploring such a rare piece of tech can be rewarding for collectors.

Transcript

all right in the collector world of Classics usually old pieces of tech aren't really all that interesting like who wants to buy an iPhone 6 right now the number one most sought after piece of tech in The Collector world is the factory sealed unopened original iPhone now fun fact back when we went to go make that uh reviewing every single iPhone vi... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How rare are unopened, original iPhones from 2007?

Unopened, original iPhones from 2007 are extremely rare because most people used and opened them when they were first released. Finding one that has never been opened is considered a miracle.

Q: Why do scammers reseal used iPhones and sell them as originals?

Scammers reseal used iPhones to make them appear unopened and original, as these versions have a significantly higher value in the collector's market. They take advantage of the rarity and the demand for unopened iPhones.

Q: What is the highest price an unopened, original iPhone has ever sold for?

The highest price recorded for an unopened, original iPhone was over sixty thousand dollars at an auction in February this year. However, prices can vary depending on factors like condition and unique features.

Q: How do X-rays help verify the contents of a sealed iPhone box?

X-rays are used to verify that the accessories, such as the charger and headphones, are present inside the sealed iPhone box. However, they cannot confirm if the items are untouched or genuinely original.

Q: What is the significance of the "lucky you" sticker on some original iPhones?

The "lucky you" sticker found on some original iPhones is a mystery. It is considered rare but remains unclear why these specific iPhones had this sticker. Even Apple employees are unsure about its meaning.

Q: Why were original iPhones sold with a dock and a large SIM card?

Original iPhones were sold with a dock to provide a charging and syncing station. Additionally, they came with a large SIM card because micro and nano SIM cards were not yet widely used.

Q: Why has the value of unopened original iPhones peaked?

The value of unopened original iPhones has likely peaked because the number of these rare devices in circulation is constantly decreasing while the demand remains high among collectors. As a result, their rarity drives up their value.

Q: How difficult is it to find a working version of the first-generation iPhone?

Finding a working version of the first-generation iPhone can be challenging, especially as time goes on. Since they are now 16 years old, many have become beat up or no longer function properly, making them harder to find.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Factory sealed unopened original iPhones from 2007 are highly sought after in the collector world.

• Scammers often sell resealed iPhones as originals, leading to YouTubers falling victim to buying fake unopened iPhones.

• The value of these unopened iPhones has peaked, with recent auctions selling them for tens of thousands of dollars.

Questions:

1. How rare are unopened, original iPhones from 2007?

2. Why do scammers reseal used iPhones and sell them as originals?

3. What is the highest price an unopened, original iPhone has ever sold for?

4. How do X-rays help verify the contents of a sealed iPhone box?

5. What is the significance of the "lucky you" sticker on some original iPhones?

6. Why were original iPhones sold with a dock and a large SIM card?

7. Why has the value of unopened original iPhones peaked?

8. How difficult is it to find a working version of the first-generation iPhone?

Answers:

Q: How rare are unopened, original iPhones from 2007?

Unopened, original iPhones from 2007 are extremely rare because most people used and opened them when they were first released. Finding one that has never been opened is considered a miracle.