14 DAY TRIAL // eBay is hosting another prototype iPhone sale, this time with seller freemefromatt saying he has in his possession not one, but two white iPhone 4 units.
Listed as “Apple Iphone 4 White GENUINE PROTOTYPE 1st Edition”, the devices are currently fetching $700.
That’s pocket change compared to the shipping fee - a steep $10,000.
“These are first edition with the infamous light leak from flash and proximity sensor problem!”, the seller informs.
“It is because Apple did not anticipate the now fixed problems!!! This is extremely rare!”, he writes, enticing potential buyers.
The devices appear to function properly, going by the imagery provided by freemefromatt.
The X markings on the back plate should corroborate his claims that these are, indeed, prototype units.
For those wondering why on Earth would someone plunk down $700 for what may turn out to be a useless gadget, prototype Apple products are considered collector items.
Just yesterday we reported on an eBay auction that featured a prototype black iPhone 4.
Unlike these white units, the black one wasn’t functional (i.e. couldn’t be activated), and presented multiple clues that it was indeed a ‘beta’ / test unit.
At one point, yesterday’s bid reached a whopping 1 million dollars, but the seller soon intervened and removed what he referred to as “illegitimate bids.”
However, by checking that sale again today, Softpedia found that it was no longer available.
We would be inclined to say Apple / eBay stepped in to remove the sale which itself could be considered rather illegitimate.
Apple is known to have leaked several pre-production iPhone 4 units.
Historically, the company has gone to great lengths to hunt down everyone who may have even had something to do with their loss in the wild.
We believe this happened with yesterday’s iPhone 4 prototype, which also bore markings that should help zero in on its original owner (tester).
Should we be surprised to see freemefromatt’s sale get pulled? No, we should not. In fact, we’re expecting it to get pulled.