An eBay seller is reported to be in possession of a prototype of Apple’s recently released iPhone 6 and is selling it for in excess of $61,000 (£38,200).
The seller posted photos of the alleged prototype showing the smartphone running a diagnostic mode, including apps used by Apple to test features and functions of the device. The phone appears not to be running Apple’s consumer iPhone software, iOS8, and may not be operable.
“Apple does not let these phones out of their possession yet I was accidentally sent one upon renewing my contract,” wrote the seller known only as kimberlyk1018, who has only one confirmed purchase and no previous sales on the auction site. “As you can see from the photos, iOS8 has not been placed on this device, rather it is in the true developer mode.”
‘Sure sign of a prototype’
The seller claims that the device is a 64GB iPhone 6, mistakenly sent from Verizon, and that the device is missing the standard regulatory markings required by law, which are usually printed on the back of an iPhone.
“The lightening port is red which is a sure sign of a prototype,” explained kimberly1018 in the listing. “I cannot guarantee that it will make calls or that the camera will work.”
The authenticity of the alleged prototype cannot be verified, but the software that appears to be running on the device matches that of previously leaked prototypes from Apple.
The legality of buying and selling prototype devices like this, which in the past have been treated as stolen property, is unclear. In this case it appears the seller was sent the device in error, although how that could happen is also unclear.
It is unlikely that the auction will be allowed to complete, despite reaching $61,000 with 99 bids from 36 separate bidders and over three days left to run.
Apple has not yet commented on the auction.
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