Old second user iPhones worth more than the new iPhone 3G in USA

Davey Winder
Sunday, 20 July 2008 22:11

Your IT - Mobility

American owners of an original iPhone find themselves in the unusual situation of having an outdated Apple gadget that is actually worth more than the updated unit that replaced it. Quite a lot more, anything up to USD $100 over and above the cost of the new iPhone 3G equivalent in fact.

Writing in the New York Times, David F. Gallagher expresses surprise that when he was walking past a New York Apple Store someone from an outfit called FreeiPhoneSwap was handing out leaflets offering to buy old iPhones for the exact same amount that the punters in the queue were about to pay for a brand spanking new iPhone 3G.

The main thrust of the NY Times piece seems to revolve around what happens to the old iPhones being purchased. The company concerned claims that it will "re-cycle your old phone in a safe and environmentally friendly manner" but there is some confusion over whether this means the handset is stripped down and sold off as component parts to repair centres or whether the old iPhone is unlocked and sold to the hungry export market for such handsets.

Not that it really makes a lot of difference, after all the whole 'reduce - reuse - recycle' mantra does include the word 'reuse' and in many circumstances this is the most environmentally friendly option anyway.

Even within the US there is a growing demand for iPhones which do not require that AT&T contract and activation. If you take the basic cost of a 16GB iPhone 3G of USD $299 (AUD $308) and add the AT&T account cancellation charge of USD $175 (AUD $179) then a contract free handset works out at USD $474 (AUD $486).

What about the gray market and the trade in component parts? See how original iPhone values stand up here on the next page...

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