A FIRST generation Apple iPhone in its original box has sold for a world record £44,000 — 16 years after its release.
The factory-sealed handset, which cost about £500 when it went on sale in 2007, still has its plastic wrapping.
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Karen Green was gifted the iPhone by colleagues in the summer of 2007 — but as she already had a mobile, she wrapped the handset in pyjamas and placed it on a shelf.
She decided to sell it at auction after seeing another original iPhone go for £33,200 last year.
Auctioneers gave the phone a pre-sale estimate of £35,000 but it went under the hammer for £43,864. With fees, the buyer paid £52,617.
Mark Montero of LCG Auctions, in Los Angeles, said: “We’re thrilled.
“This is a new benchmark for a 21st-century pop culture collectible.
“The iPhone is one of the most important and ubiquitous inventions of our lifetime.
“The original first-release iPhone in factory sealed condition is widely regarded as a blue-chip asset amongst high-end collectors.
“There’s little doubt that interest in culturally relevant collectibles is rapidly increasing, and despite impressive sales numbers, many believe the space is still in its infancy.
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“It was consigned by the original owner Karen Green and is coupled with a great backstory.
“Almost 16 years old, the phone presents magnificently, showcasing sharp corners front and back, rich colour, and ‘case fresh’ features.
“The labels on the reverse are pristine beneath the seal and shelf wear is minimal.”
