First-Gen iPhones rise steadily in price
This Business Week article describes the rising demand for first generation iPhones. "Shelf prices" (using eBay values of virtual shelves) for the 16GB iPhone are currently at about $600, and $500 for 8GB models. In other words, the $250 AT&T refurb specials from March are now worth roughly double what you paid for them.
From easy-unlocking to contract-free usage to eco-consumerism, consumers are looking for those original units and paying premium prices to get them. A majority of phones are heading outside the US for resale while growing demand at home keeps resale prices high.
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This Business Week article describes the rising demand for first generation iPhones. "Shelf prices" (using eBay values of virtual shelves)...
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I wonder why Apple doesnt start selling the iPhone 3G online like the 1st Gen iPhone. It would solve all problems. It was very convient to get the old iPhone from Apple's site and unlock it.
September 04 2008 at 5:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat's exactly why they don't do it!
September 04 2008 at 10:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyalso, the first gen is still better than the 3G
September 04 2008 at 3:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTUAW: "A majority of phones are heading outside the US for resale..."
According to this report (from April) there are over 250,000 iPhones in use in Russia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKb8qaFKn8
And according to this one, Apple considers Russia a part of Europe and so the unlocked price will probably be around $900...so demand for 1G iPhones will probably remain high and thus the prices for them will remain high.
Forgot to add the second report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzVrL-pxK6E&NR=1
Yup... my unlocked 4GB just sold at auction today for $375+ shipping... to Poland. (and from someone who actually had positive feedback, hurray!)
September 03 2008 at 11:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAmazing. Its incredible I was lucky enough to buy an 8 gig iPhone off eBay for $300 flat.
September 03 2008 at 10:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/06/09/whither-the-1-0-iphone-resale/
:)
While you're reading that post, check out my calculation in the comments section: http://www.tuaw.com/2008/06/09/whither-the-1-0-iphone-resale/4#c12585892
The $500 estimate was pretty good, I think...
Is it still possible to get one, and make it a prepaid contract? And do it that way, like a long time ago when they first came out. (1 gen)
September 03 2008 at 9:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI just sold my 1st gen 4GB for $280 to a local. It had a cracked screen and was a little battered. The touchscreen worked fine. I am now the proud owner of a 16GB iPhone 3G!
September 03 2008 at 9:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI wonder how much I can get for my cracked, for-some-inexplicable-reason not working iPhone 1G.
The prices are a little ridiculous though- it seems that people want them because they're unlocked, but I just bought a 16GB unlocked iPhone 3G off of eBay from Singapore for just a few hundred more than the 1G. If people would only think... well, damn- a lot of things'd be different, huh?
So, mine has a cracked screen, which Apple charges 250 bucks to fix. R you all telling me its worth fixing, then selling?
September 03 2008 at 8:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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