iPhone 4 Prototype Appears On eBay: Frenzied Bidding Ensues (PICTURES)

Like sharks to blood, so eBayers to an Apple collectible.

An iPhone 4 prototype has appeared on eBay, and bidders are apparently in a frenzy. The current bid (as of 10:30 a.m. ET on Monday) is for a staggering $999,999.01.

The seller, who claims to be a "licensed cell phone repairman," says that this is a genuine item, possibly used by Apple during the iPhone 4's pre-launch testing period and intended to be used for spare parts.

From the listing's description: "Serial number does not appear to be valid according to apple.com. Sim tray has serial number and IMEI No, when I ran it through database it says that the iPhone is a tester."

The seller also notes, however, that the phone isn't quite in working condition and can't be activated for service. According to a description of the item's condition, this device "does not function as intended and is not fully operational."

It's unlikely that the price for this iPhone prototype will remain as high as it is. The seller says that several "non-legitimate" bids have already been removed.

Would you buy a non-working iPhone prototype? If you would, how much would you pay? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the listing (below), and visit the item's eBay page--before it sells.

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[via Engadget]

Comments

[Dr Juan]

08:57 AM on 07/07/2011

I bet Bill Gates has been bidding on it.

[GnosisMan]

09:50 AM on 07/06/2011

I just can't wrap my head around the obsession many people have about all things apple. Sure, they make cool stuff but they cost way too much for me....to each his own I guess.

[zoomos]

07:41 PM on 07/04/2011

This is worthless in my opinion, I would think the first iPhone prototype would be worth something, not the 4 gen.

Last time I checked, the bid was 98 bucks. I guess the 1 million dollar bid was fake.

[Krek]

01:03 PM on 07/04/2011

Apple fans willing to spend ridiculous money on a product that is not ready for primetime. Hopefully that doesn't catch on.

[Pectin]

02:11 PM on 07/04/2011

You missed the point.
It's a bit of history, like a moon rock, or a dress owned by Marylin Monroe - some people collect stuff like that.
If one merely wanted a phone, one could just go get one.

[Demidan]

03:53 PM on 07/04/2011

THAT is NOT!!! Like a Moon Rock,,,dress owned by Marylin sure maybe; but Moon Rock Never!!!

[CaptainObvvious]

07:57 AM on 07/06/2011

Its about a collectable not a phone.

I would never spend money on it but that's just me.

Its a rare collectable.