Have an original iPhone? Unlock it and eBay it!
posted on 2008.07.29 09:37:27 by BogieLike many original iPhone owners, I recently upgraded to the iPhone 3G, but I wasn’t sure what to do with my old phone. I looked on eBay to see what the going price was for old iPhones and I was stunned. An average price of $350 for an old, used iPhone? Gadgets rarely maintain that sort of value a year later. (I bought mine for $399 ($599 plus a $200 credit from AmEx when Apple decided to drop the price to $399 for everyone. And then Apple credited all the $599 buyers with a $100 credit, so I guess I paid $299!)
Anyway, the trick to getting the best value for your old iPhone is to “pwn” it, or unlock/jailbreak/activate it using a tool such as Pwnage Tool 2.0. (Disclaimer: You must have some idea of what you’re doing when unlocking your phone, otherwise you’ll forever ruin your iPhone!). Once you do this, you’re not only unlocking the iPhone to be used on any GSM-based carrier around the world, but you’re also unlocking its value. iPhones that can be used on any carrier are highly desirable, and until the iPhone 3G can be both unlocked and purchased without a contract, the original iPhone is highly desirable. Hence, you can sell your old iPhone for more than what you paid for it. (I sold mine for $460.)
Of course, it won’t be like this for very long. An iPhone 3G unlock solution is sure to be around the corner, so if you’re thinking of selling your old iPhone, act fast and good luck!
