You’ve probably seen the headlines. Someone finds an old phone in a junk drawer, puts it on a website, and suddenly they’re looking at a check that could buy a literal house. It sounds like one of those urban legends your uncle tells at Thanksgiving, but in the world of vintage tech, the "Jesus Phone" is basically the new Action Comics #1.
So, let's get into the weeds. How much is first iphone worth right now, really?
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Honestly, the answer is frustratingly wide. It ranges from "the cost of a decent burrito" to "the price of a 2026 Porsche." It all comes down to the plastic. Not the plastic inside the phone, but the thin, crinkly factory shrink-wrap on the outside of the box.
The Massive Gap Between Used and Sealed
If you have an original 2007 iPhone that you actually used—you know, to make calls and play the original Texas Hold'em—it's probably sitting in a drawer with a dead battery.
A used, scratched-up 8GB original iPhone usually moves for somewhere between $100 and $500 on eBay. If it’s in "mint" condition but the box is open, you might push that to $1,000 or $2,000. That's not bad for a paperweight, but it’s not exactly life-changing money.
The real madness happens when the box has never been touched.
In late 2022, we saw sealed 8GB models hitting $35,000 to $39,000. By early 2023, a pristine unit sold through LCG Auctions for a staggering $63,356. People thought that was the ceiling. They were wrong.
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The $190,000 Question: Why the 4GB Model is King
You might remember that when Steve Jobs stood on stage in 2007, he announced two versions: a 4GB model for $499 and an 8GB model for $599.
Most people back then weren't idiots. For an extra hundred bucks, they doubled their storage. Consequently, the 4GB model sold horribly. Apple actually killed it off just two months after launch.
In the world of collecting, "sold horribly" translates to "insanely rare."
Because so few were produced and even fewer were kept sealed, the 4GB original iPhone is now the "Holy Grail." In July 2023, a factory-sealed 4GB model shattered every record by selling for $190,373. Since then, even slightly less-than-perfect 4GB sealed units have consistently cleared the $100,000 mark at major auction houses like RR Auction and LCG.
What actually drives the price?
- The 12-Icon Box: Early production boxes show exactly 12 icons on the screen. Later in 2007, Apple added the iTunes icon, making it 13. Collectors want the 12-icon version.
- The Seal Integrity: It’s not just about being sealed; it’s about the quality of the seal. We’re talking about "correct seam details" and no "shelf wear." Even a tiny pinhole in the plastic can knock $10,000 off the price.
- Provenance: If the phone belonged to an original Apple engineer (which has been the case for several record-breakers), the price rockets.
How Much is First iPhone Worth if it’s Broken?
If the screen is shattered and it won’t turn on, you’re basically looking at a parts donor. You might get $30 to $50 for it from someone trying to refurbish another unit.
There is a small niche for "display only" units. Some tech enthusiasts like having the original hardware on a shelf just for the vibes. But if the silver bezel is dented and the black plastic back is scuffed to high heaven, the "collector" value is essentially zero. It’s just e-waste with a famous logo.
Identifying What You Have
Before you get too excited, check the back of the device. The original iPhone (often called the iPhone 2G) is the only one with a silver aluminum back and a large black plastic section at the bottom.
If your phone is all white or all black plastic, that’s an iPhone 3G or 3GS. If it’s glass on both sides, that’s an iPhone 4. Those are cool, but they aren't worth $190k. Not even close.
What to do if you find one
If you actually find a sealed original iPhone in your attic, do not open it. Seriously. The second you break that seal, you are effectively lighting a bonfire made of $50,000.
- Take high-resolution photos of every side of the box.
- Check the model number. MA712LL/A is the 8GB version; MA501LL/A is the rare 4GB one.
- Contact a specialist. Don't just throw it on a 7-day eBay auction. High-end tech like this performs much better at dedicated auction houses where they can verify the authenticity for big-money bidders.
The market for "nostalgia tech" is only growing. As the generation that grew up with the first iPhone enters their peak earning years, these devices are becoming the "vintage Ferraris" of the digital age. Whether the bubble will pop or these will eventually hit $1 million is anyone's guess, but for now, that old box in your closet is worth a very close look.
To get a better idea of your device's potential, check the model number on the back of the box against historical sales on sites like LCG Auctions or Heritage Auctions. If it's used, look at "Sold" listings on eBay rather than "Active" ones to see what people are actually paying in real-time.