iPhone auctions at 200 times its original price: Heres what makes it so valuable

The first-gen iPhone has become the most expensive iPhone ever sold. The 2007 model originally sold for $599 in 2007 or $881 in 2023 (adjusted for inflation). However, in this recent auction, the original iPhone sold for $190,372, which is more than 200 times its original price. And this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. The OG iPhones have sold up like this for jaw-dropping amounts before. We have catalogued some of those auctions and tried to connect the dots to understand what makes this model of iPhone so valuable.

First, the auctions:

Notable iPhone auctions wherein collectors paid top dollars

1. October 17, 2022: $39,339.60 (8GB model)

This was carried out by LCG Auctions, just like many other auctions in this list. The bid started at $2,500 but soared up 5 times that by the end. There were no aftermarket stickers on the box. It was being extolled as being in “pristine” and “exceptional condition”. 

Just so you know, earlier this year, in August, another 2007 iPhone sold for $35,414.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 14 Review: A mixed bag

2. Mar 17, 2023: $54,904 (8GB model)

On March 17, 2023, the 8GB model of the 2007 iPhone got auctioned off by RR Auction and was sold for about $54,000 more than its original price. This was sold by an Apple employee who had advertised it as in “brand new, factory-sealed condition”.

This was however low compared to what another seller got in a similar auction just a month back.

3. Feb 21, 2023: $63,356.40 (8GB)

This was about 105 times the OG price and was also managed by LCG Auctions. The iPhone was described as “Highly desirable factory sealed”. This was sold by Karen Green who chose to leave the iPhone unopened because it was gifted to her and was locked into the ATT network while she had other phones on Verizon connection. 

4. July 17, 2023: $190,372 (4GB model)

Finally, just the other day, a 4GB model of this iPhone got sold off at the highest price price till date. LCG Auctions which handled the deal calls the 4GB model a “Holy Grail” because of its scarce availability. Very few units were made as people were flocking towards the 8GB model for the extra storage.

Also Read: iPhone 13 deal on Flipkart Big Saving Days is kickass: Don't miss it!

That brings us to the other question we have: 

Why is the original iPhone considered so valuable?

The first iPhone was a disruptive innovation in the mobile phone space. It forever changed the smartphone market and was named Time Magazine Invention of the Year in 2007.

Apple loyalists and technology collectors appreciate how revolutionary it was and how rare it is now. So, if they get their hands on an unopened iPhone (2007) in mint condition, they are ready to pay big.

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Apple to set up a new manufacturing plant in Karnataka

Foxconn, which is a major iPhone Assembler, recently proposed to set up a new supplementary manufacturing plant in Karnataka. Foxconn Technology (Hon Hai Technology Group) is headquartered in Taiwan and is a leading technology and service provider. This addition would supplement the current  Devanahalli Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Karnataka. The news was confirmed by Karnataka’s Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil.

A meeting was held recently with Foxconn Industrial Internet’s (Fii) CEO Brand Cheng for the same and it was chaired by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The meeting was also attended by Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma.

Fii is planning to invest ₹8,800 crore which is around $1 billion in Karnataka for the said plant. 

Also read: Apple AirPods will be made in Telangana, thanks to new Foxconn plant

The project requires about 100 acres of land which is available near the Japanese Industrial Park near Tumakuru. The State is going to help with all the logistics for the same. And according to Minister Patil, the handing over of land for the same is in its “last stage” now. So, we can expect the plant to be set up soon.

Once the plant is set up, it will generate about 14,000 jobs for the people in the first phase, as informed by the Minster MB Patil. 

At this plant, Fii is hoping to not just make mechanical components needed for phones but also manufacture screens, and outer coverings. The new manufacturing plant will act as a supplementary one to the current unit at  Devanahalli where the end assembly takes place.

Also read: iPhone 16 Pro Max will be made in India, shockingly without Foxconn’s help

On the matter, Patil said, “Foxconn is coming up in about 300 acres. The process of handing over land is in its final stages, there were some issues, so I have personally held meetings four times in this regard, as we did not want to lose the project. Foxconn, which manufactures Apple phones, is very prestigious for us”.

Apple bringing their manufacture in India will be a good thing because the tech-giant will also bring employment with its manufacturing plant. Additionally, the prices of Apple products could also reduce after the plant is set in India. 

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ViewSonic launches OMNI VX28 180 Hz gaming monitors in India starting at INR 23,900

ViewSonic Corp., a leading manufacturer of gaming monitors, unveiled its newest line of high-performance monitors - the OMNI VX28. The new lineup consists of monitors with 24-inch and 27-inch panels and packs in several features which improve the visual experience for gamers. 

These features include up to 180 Hz refresh rates, up to 0.5 ms (MPRT) response time, HDR10 certification and use of IPS panels. The lineup starts at INR 23,900 but end-users can find the monitors for INR 14,999 on popular eCommerce platforms and boutique PC vendors.

The OMNI VX28 monitors also boast about several industry-standard certifications such as AMD FreeSync Premium, VESA Adaptive Sync and VESA ClearMR. All these certifications pertain to the clarity of the visuals even at high refresh rates, and how the panel is capable of handling frame tears, reducing stuttering and input lag. ClearMR, in particular, is the newest certification from VESA which informs consumers how clear the display is by rating the number of clear pixels to the number of blurry pixels on a panel during a test scene. 

Sanjoy Bhattacharya, Director - Sales and Marketing - IT Business, ViewSonic India, highlighted, "We developed ViewSonic's OMNI gaming product line to meet the demands of casual gamers who want a display that is both versatile and multifunctional. We have integrated essential features for smooth gaming, productive work, and all-day eye care into the OMNI VX28 series. With this product line, consumers can enjoy high-resolution gaming experiences while maintaining comfort and productivity throughout their workday. Always striving to offer the best of technology and features, we make it our constant endeavour to innovate display units that are technologically advanced enhancing our customer’s experience."

ViewSonic also states that the OMNI VX28 series will also have ergonomic features that are deemed desirable by gamers such as adjustable height, back-and-forth tilt, swivel and vertical rotation. Prices for all the newly launched OMNI VX monitors can be found below:

 

 

 

 

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Realme Pad 2 confirmed, could feature a 120 Hz display

Realme has confirmed the launch of its upcoming tablet, Realme Pad 2. The tablet will be launched on an online Realme event on July 19 at 12 PM. You can join the online event from Realme’s YouTube channel, Twitter or Facebook account. The Realme Pad 2 will see slight changes from its predecessor. It is confirmed that it will feature a bigger 120Hz refresh rate display and will also come with thinner bezels, as shown in the Realme teaser.

The specifications of the tablet have not been revealed yet but tipsters have leaked some details about the Realme Pad 2. The next-gen tablet could have a dual tone back panel and circular rear camera module on the top left corner. 

Also read: Realme Pad X And Realme Watch 3 Launched In India Along With Other AIoT Products

Talking about the display, it might feature an 11.5-inch display which comes with DC Dimming and could give 450 nits of brightness. It will be reportedly powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 processor that is paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It might be packed with a 8360mAh battery with 33-watt fast charging support. It is also rumoured that the Realme Pad 2 could sport a 20-megapixel primary camera along with a 12-megapixel selfie shooter. Tipster also suggested a quad speaker setup. 

The price range of Realme Pad 2 has also been suggested, it could launch under the price range of ₹20,000.

Also read: Realme Slim Pad listing goes live on Flipkart; could launch alongside Realme 10 on January 9

From what we know, the Realme Pad 2 looks to be a major update over its predecessor, the Realme Pad. We are getting a better, more responsive display, and the rumoured MediaTek Helio G99 chip is also more powerful than the Helio G80 processor on the Realme Pad, which was launched back in September 2021.

These are all the specifications that are revealed and rumoured about the Realme pad 2. Stay tuned for the specifications which could be revealed following the launch. 

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Apples October Surprise: New M3 powered iMacs are coming

According to a newsletter by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is expected to launch a new product in October. The tech-giant is also expected to launch its most-hyped product, iPhone 15 in September, according to the usual cycle. But the reports are also suggesting more interesting products this year from Apple. The company might also launch the all new iMac powered by M3 chipset by the end of the year.

It’s not clear if there will be any significant changes in the all new iMac. However, Gurman wrote in his last newsletter that this year we’ll only be seeing the M3 chip upgrade in the current 24-inch model and the new 34-inch will not be available until late 2024. 

Although Gurman is not certain about his prediction, the last time Apple made changes in iMac was more than two years ago. So this time the company could really launch the M3 powered iMac. 

Also read: 15-inch Apple MacBook Air M2 - The One To Get

It is also suggested by Gurman that Apple may update its 13-inch MacBooks i.e. the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, with the M3 chip. Talking about the iPad, he also suggests that a version of the iPad Pro could come next year with an OLED screen and the M3 chip. In the meantime, Apple is also working on a faster version of iPad air which aims to return the midrange iPad to a yearly update cycle.

Some time ago, Gurman suggested that the M3 powered iMacs and 13-inch Macbook air might arrive this year or next which will be the first to use the rumoured 3nm Apple Silicon chips. A supply chain analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, had also stated that new M3 Pro/Max chips were expected in the first half of 2024.

Also read: WWDC23: 15-inch MacBook Air 2023 launch expected on June 5

Now we just have to wait for October to see if these rumours would be true because it seems a little odd for Apple to switch the iMac directly to their rumoured M3 chip instead of switching it to M2 chip. 

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Google Play Games for PC available in India: How to run it and what are the system requirements

Google Play Games Beta for PC has expanded to new markets including India and by installing it, you will be able to play Android games on PC. You don’t have to install any emulators as it’s a native app with official support from developers of various games on this platform. Also, since it is native, it consumes relatively fewer resources compared to something like a Bluestack. Here are some of its benefits:

Google Play Games for PC vs Bluestacks: Which one to choose?

* Google Play Games will offer a simple installation and will be easy to use. 

* Since it supports games officially, those games should run smoothly and run across devices seamlessly. You’d only need the Google Play Games for PC on all those devices signed in to the same Google account.

* It should also efficiently use resources compared to Bluestacks.

Also Read: ASUS ROG Ally: 5 Best Games To Play On This Handheld Gaming Beast

* However, Bluestacks could support a larger library of games, even if it’s unofficially.

* Bluestacks support the gamepad controller too whereas Google Play Games bring support for keyboards and mice only.

* Google Play Games for PC is compatible with tablets, Chromebooks, and PCs while the Bluestacks’ compatible devices list includes Mac as well. 

But, cross-platform gaming isn’t as seamless as the Google solution. Since your game profile and progress data are saved in your Google Play Games account, you get a smooth continuity and you will be able to pick up where you left off on a different device. 

Here’s what your PC will need to run Play Games:

Google Play Games for PC system requirements

Minimum system requirements

- OS: Windows 10 (v2004 or above) with hardware virtualization enabled

- CPU: 4 physical cores (preferably Intel processors)

- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 630 or above

- Memory: 8GB RAM and 10GB SSD storage capacity (this SSD should be your primary drive)

Also Read: Undawn Ban Callouts Remind Us Of 5 Games That Angered Indians In The Past

Recommended system requirements

- OS: Windows 10 (v2004 or above) with hardware virtualization enabled

- CPU: 8 logical cores (preferably Intel processors)

- GPU: At least Nvidia GeForce MX450 or other “Gaming-class GPU”

- Memory: 8GB RAM and 10GB SSD storage capacity

You must have the Windows admin account and Hypervisor virtual machine (VMM) must also be enabled in both cases for this to work.

Now that you have all of these settings enabled and configurations set, let’s install Play Games on your PC.

How to run Play Games for PC

- Download the setup file from play.google.com/googleplaygames

- Tap the downloaded file and install it. Give the necessary permissions, if prompted. 

- Log in to your Google Play Games account that you intend to use on all the other compatible devices for this application.

- Open the app once it is ready and install the game you like.

Finally, once the game is installed, play and enjoy. That’s it.

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Amazon Prime Day: Best deals on iPhone 14, Moto Razr 40 and more

The Amazon Prime Day sale is finally live! The sale went live today for all Prime users and will go on till Sunday, July 16, 2023, allowing buyers to avail some very attractive discounts on products like smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, laptops, accessories, and much more. 

During the Amazon Prime Day sale, buyers will be able to avail up to 40 percent off on smartphones and accessories, up to 50 percent off on Amazon Echo and Alexa-enabled products and much more. 

During the sale, we will see some very attractive deals on many smartphones from various brands like Apple, Samsung, iQOO, OnePlus, Samsung and much more. During this year's Prime Day sale, ICICI Bank and SBI card users will be able to avail an extra 10 percent off across categories. Further, we will also see a slew of new launches like the OnePlus Nord 3 5G, the Moto Razr 40 series, and the Realme Narzo 60 series, all of which will go on sale for the first time since their launch. 

Also read: Exciting discounts on smartphones under ₹30,000 in Prime Day 2023 sale

In this article, we will tell you some of the best deals on some of the best smartphones during the Amazon Prime Day sale. So, if you are in the market for a new smartphone, you have come to the right place! Here are some of the best deals that you can avail right now:

1. Apple iPhone 14

The Apple iPhone 14, which is always the hottest smartphone in every sale regardless of the e-commerce platform, is available for a solid discount of about Rs 13,400 during the sale. The Apple iPhone 14 will be available for purchase at a price of just Rs 66,499 during the Prime Day sale, which is a heavy discount over the smartphone's normal price of Rs 79,900. 

Also read: Best deals on smartphone under ₹10,000 on Amazon Prime Day 2023

Apart from the Rs 13,401 discount, buyers will also be able to avail an exchange offer of up to Rs 35,650 during the Prime Day sale, which can potentially bring the price down to Rs 30,849, which is less than half of the smartphone's starting price. As mentioned, SBI and ICICI Bank customers will be able to avail extra benefits on purchasing the Apple iPhone 14 during the Prime Day sale. Buy now

2. Moto Razr 40 Ultra

The Moto Razr 40 Ultra, which is the latest flip phone in the market and also comes with the largest 3.6-inch cover display on the flap, will become available for sale during the prime day sale. However, not only will the Moto Razr 40 Ultra be available for purchase, the smartphone will also be available for an effective price of Rs 82,999 during the Prime Days. 

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra was launched at a price of Rs 89,999 earlier this month. However, during the Amazon Prime Day sale, ICICI Bank users will be able to avail a Rs 7,000 discount on the smartphone, bringing the price down to Rs 82,999. SBI users, on the other hand, will be able to avail a discount of Rs 6,250 on the Moto Razr 40 Ultra, which will bring the smartphone's price down to Rs 83,749. Buy now

3. Samsung Galaxy M14 5G

For the budget smartphone buyers out there, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is another recent launch that will be on sale during the Amazon Prime Day sale. The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G will be available for a discounted price of Rs Rs 13,490 during the Amazon Prime Day sale, which means that buyers will be able to avail a Rs 2,000 discount on the smartphone. 

The discount on the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is not limited to only SBI and ICICI Bank customers. All bank users will be able to avail the Rs 2,000 discount on the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G during the Amazon Prime Days sale. Buy now

Also read: Best thin-and-light laptop deals on Amazon Prime Day sale

Disclaimer: Deal prices as of the time of writing this story, deal prices are subject to change as per retailers' availability and other conditions which Digit has no control over.

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