Half a million dollars for an iPhone
Fifteen years ago today, the very first iPhone went on sale. Which performance are you paying half a million dollars for?
Steve Jobs, for some Apple fans nothing less than the messiah, announced the iPhone in early 2007 as follows:
An iPod, a telephone, and a mobile Internet communication device… These are not three separate devices. Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone.
On June 29, 2007, exactly 15 years ago today, the very first iPhone went on sale. Only 74 days later, the counter had already sold 1 million copies. That first iPhone did not even come to our country.
The iPhone 3G was the first available in the Netherlands. Back then it was still exclusive and only at T-Mobile. Everyone wanted him. When it was introduced in 2007, the iPhone cost $499 in America. That’s not even half a million…
Revolution
Steve was right when he said in his turtleneck sweater that Apple was reinventing the phone. Since the very first iPhone came out, the world of mobile technology has changed forever. In fifteen years, the iPhone is now much more than three devices.
It’s also a full-fledged camera, there’s an App Store, and today it’s a full-featured mobile computer. Now also a bit more expensive than the five hundred dollars, but still not good for five zeros.
Half a million for an iPhone
No, you have to put down that 500k for a copy that is older than fifteen years. That’s how it is: before the original and first iPhone was actually ready for production, a lot of development preceded it. A number of prototypes have been reviewed and are interesting for the enthusiast. That’s where that huge amount comes in. Those prototypes are extremely rare and therefore unaffordable.
YouTuber Luke Miani has for the 15e anniversary of the iPhone made a special video containing a whole bundle of prototypes of the very first iPhone. The oldest dates back to 2006 and one is more like the production version than others. So, the most rare is worth more than five hundred thousand dollars.
One of the pre-production versions shown still has a plastic screen, which was replaced by glass at the last minute. Two pieces are so early out of the process that the parts purchase stickers are still on the back. Some still run test software that resembles an iPod wheel, but on a touchscreen.
For those who are curious about how such an iPhone was announced and marketed by iCloud resident Steve Jobs, read the original press release from 2007. A nice document with the knowledge of today.
