Introduction
Contents
- Introduction
- History About iPhones
- Factors Making iPhones More Expensive
- Benefits of iPhones
- Market Trends of iPhones
- Top 10 Most Expensive iPhones In The World
- #1. Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond
- #2. iPhone 5 Black Diamond
- #3. iPhone 4S Elite Gold by Stuart Hughes
- #4. iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition
- #5. Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme
- #6. iPhone 3G Kings Button
- #7. iPhone 3GS Supreme Goldstriker Advanced
- #8. iPhone 3G Amosu Curva Diamond Edition
- #9. iPhone 3G Gold Edition
- #10. iPhone Princess Plus
- Conclusion
Top 10 Most Expensive iPhones: Expensive iPhones are known for their sleek design, advanced technology, and high prices. Meanwhile, the latest models are already expensive; some iPhones cost even more because of their luxury materials and custom designs. These special editions are often covered with gold, diamonds, or other rare materials, making them exclusive and extremely costly.
Some other iPhones are made and customized for specific collectors and wealthy buyers across the world. In this article, we will explore the top 10 most expensive iPhones ever made, from gold-plated editions to diamond-studded masterpieces. Whether you’re an Apple fan or just curious about luxury gadgets, these iPhones will amaze you with their stunning looks and jaw-dropping prices.
History About iPhones
(Source: iphonelife.com)
- 2007: Apple introduced the first iPhone on January 9, a device that combines a phone, iPod, and internet connection.
- 2008: The iPhone 3G launched, adding faster 3G data and the App Store for downloading applications.
- 2009: The iPhone 3GS was released, which offered enhanced speed and a 3-megapixel camera with video recording.
- 2010: The iPhone was unveiled, featuring a new design, a high-resolution Retina display, and a front-facing camera for video calls.
- 2011: The iPhone 4S introduced Siri, a voice-activated assistant, and an 8-megapixel camera.
- 2013: The iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID, a fingerprint sensor for security, and a faster A7 chip.
- 2014: The company launched the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, offering larger screens and a new design.
- 2017: The iPhone X was introduced, removing the home button in favor of Face ID facial recognition and an edge-to-edge display.
- 2020: The iPhone 12 series added 5G connectivity and introduced the MagSafe charging system.
- 2025: The iPhone 16E was also announced, which ended the home button on all iPhone models.
Factors Making iPhones More Expensive
- Apple uses premium components and materials.
- Incorporating cutting-edge features and proprietary technologies requires significant investment in research and development.
- The strong brand reputation allows it to set higher prices, as consumers associate quality and innovation with it.
- Meanwhile, designs of both the hardware and software ensure seamless integration that leads to higher development costs.
- Extensive advertising and marketing campaigns add to the overall cost of the product.
- Managing a complex supply chain across multiple countries involves logistical expenses.
- Operating exclusive Apple Stores worldwide adds to the company’s operational costs.
- Currency fluctuations and import taxes in different countries can affect pricing.
- Better customer support and warranty services add to the product’s cost.
- The company also maintained higher profit margins than its competitors, which is reflected in the retail price.
Benefits of iPhones
- iPhones are known for their simple, unique and intuitive interface, which makes it straightforward for anyone to navigate and operate the device.
- Apple provides consistent software updates for iPhones, ensuring users have access to the latest features and security enhancements.
- To protect user data, they are equipped with robust security measures, such as facial recognition and fingerprint sensors.
- Such expensive iPhones are also praised for their excellent camera quality, allowing users to capture sharp and vibrant photos and videos.
- iPhones work well with all other Apple devices, such as iPads and MacBooks, providing a cohesive and interconnected user experience.
- The Apple App Store also offers a vast selection of applications, enabling users to find tools and games that suit their needs and interests.
- iPhones retain their value over time, making them a good investment for users who may want to sell or trade them in the future.
Market Trends of iPhones
- In the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple held a 23% share of the smartphone market globally.
- The iPhone 16 series, basically the iPhone 16 Pro Max, dominated sales in 2024.
- In the United States, iOS devices account for 54% of the market, with the iPhone 16 series accounting for 20% of total sales.
- Apple has increased production in India, contributing to a significant rise in smartphone exports from the country.
- The introduction of the iPhone 16e aims to attract budget-conscious consumers, though its USD 599 price point has sparked discussions about affordability.
- The latest iPhones feature Apple Intelligence, enhancing user experience with advanced AI capabilities.
Top 10 Most Expensive iPhones In The World
- Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond: USD 48.5 million
- iPhone 5 Black Diamond: USD 15 million
- iPhone 4S Elite Gold by Stuart Hughes: 9.4 million
- iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition: USD 8 million
- Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme: USD 3.2 million
- iPhone 3G Kings Button: USD 2.5 million
- iPhone 3GS Supreme Goldstriker Advanced: USD 1.93 million
- iPhone 3G Amosu Curva Diamond Edition: USD 1.6 million
- iPhone 3G Gold Edition: USD 1 million
- iPhone Princess Plus: USD 176,400
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#1. Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond
(Source: indiatimes.com)
- Release Year: 2021.
- Design: Encased in 24-carat gold with a prominent pink diamond embedded on the back.
- Customisation: Produced by Falcon, a New York-based company specialising in high-end and luxury items.
- Display: 4.7-inch IPS LCD screen.
- Processor: Dual-core A8 chip.
- Memory: 1 GB RAM.
- Storage: 128 GB internal storage.
- Camera: Standard iSight rear camera.
- Battery: 1,810 mAh capacity.
#2. iPhone 5 Black Diamond
(Source: pcmag.com)
- Materials: Chassis (135 grams of solid 24-carat gold), Diamonds (600 white diamonds encrusted on the chassis); Apple logo adorned with 53 additional diamonds.
- Home Button: A rare 26-carat black diamond replaces the standard button.
- Display: 4-inch Retina display with a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels.
- Processor: Apple A6 dual-core processor.
- Memory: 1 GB RAM.
- Storage Options: Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB variants.
- Camera: 8-megapixel rear camera with 1080p video recording; 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera with 720p video recording.
- Battery: 1440 mAh lithium-ion battery.
- Construction Time: Approximately nine weeks of meticulous craftsmanship.
#3. iPhone 4S Elite Gold by Stuart Hughes
(Source: stuarthughes.com)
- Material Used: Bezel (Handcrafted from rose gold, adorned with about 500 flawless diamonds totalling over 100 carats) and Rear Panel (Made of 24-carat gold, featuring an Apple logo set with 53 diamonds).
- Home Button: Contains a single-cut 8.6-carat diamond, with an additional 7.4-carat pink diamond as a spare.
- Storage: 64GB internal memory.
- Display: 3.5-inch Retina display with a resolution of 960×640 pixels.
- Camera: 8-megapixel rear camera capable of recording 1080p videos.
- Processor: Dual-core Apple A5 chip.
- Packaging: Presented in a solid platinum chest embellished with polished pieces of original T-Rex dinosaur bone and rare gemstones like opal and pietersite.
- Limited Edition: Only two units were ever produced.
#4. iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition
(Source: stuarthughes.com)
- Materials: Handcrafted rose gold bezel adorned with approximately 500 flawless diamonds with over 100 carats.
- Apple Logo: Rose gold Apple logo on the rear, set with 53 diamonds.
- Home Button: Platinum navigation button featuring a single 7.4-carat pink diamond; includes an interchangeable 8-carat flawless diamond.
- Storage: 32GB internal memory.
- Display: 3.5-inch widescreen Multi-Touch Retina display with 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi.
- Camera: 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash; HD (720p) video recording up to 30 frames per second.
- Battery Life: It can last up to 7 hours of talk time on 3G and up to 300 hours of standby time.
- Dimensions: Height: 115.2 mm; Width: 58.6 mm; Depth: 9.3 mm; Weight: 137 grams.
- Packaging: It is presented in a 7 kg chest crafted from a single block of Imperial Pink granite and lined with Nubuck leather.
- Exclusivity: Limited edition with only two units ever produced.
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#5. Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme
(Source: stuarthughes.com)
- Gold Casing: 271 grams of 22-carat solid gold.
- Front Bezel Diamonds: 136 flawless diamonds, totalling 68 carats.
- Apple Logo: 53 flawless diamonds adding up to 1 carat.
- Home Button: A rare 7.1-carat single-cut diamond.
- Storage Capacity: 32GB of internal storage.
- Display: 3.5-inch widescreen Multi-Touch display with 480×320-pixel resolution.
- Camera: 3-megapixel still camera with video recording capabilities.
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours of talk time on 3G networks.
- Packaging: Presented in a 7kg chest made from a single block of Kashmir gold granite, lined with Nubuck top-grain leather.
#6. iPhone 3G Kings Button
(Source: newatlas.com)
- Materials: Crafted from solid 18-carat yellow, white, and rose gold.
- Diamond Accents: Adorned with 138 brilliant-cut diamonds along the white gold trim.
- Home Button: Features a rare 6.6-carat diamond as the home button.
- Display: 3.5-inch screen with a 320×480 pixel resolution.
- Camera: Equipped with a 2-megapixel rear camera.
- Storage: Available in 8GB and 16GB models.
- Memory: Contains 128MB of RAM.
- Processor: Powered by a 412 MHz ARM 11 CPU.
- Battery: Includes a 1220 mAh non-removable battery.
#7. iPhone 3GS Supreme Goldstriker Advanced
(Source: stuarthughes.com)
- Gold Casing: 271 grams of 22-carat solid gold.
- Diamond Bezel: 136 flawless diamonds totaling 68 carats.
- Home Button: 7.1-carat single-cut rare diamond.
- Rear Logo: 53 flawless diamonds amounting to 1 carat.
- Storage: 32GB internal memory.
- Display: 3.5-inch screen with 320×480 pixel resolution.
- Camera: 3.15 MP rear camera.
- Processor: 600 MHz Cortex-A8 CPU.
- Battery: 1400 mAh capacity.
- Packaging: 7 kg granite chest lined with Nubuck leather.
#8. iPhone 3G Amosu Curva Diamond Edition
(Source: everymac.com)
- Design: Encrusted with 4,459 brilliant-cut diamonds along with 28 carats.
- Materials: Crafted with 18-carat gold for a premium finish.
- Display: 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a 320×480 pixel resolution.
- Camera: 2-megapixel rear camera with 1600×1200 pixel resolution.
- Storage: Available in 8 GB and 16 GB variants.
- Connectivity: Supports 3G, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR.
- Dimensions: 115.5 mm (H) x 62.1 mm (W) x 12.3 mm (D); weight of 133 grams.
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours of talk time on 3G networks.
- Operating System: Runs on iOS 4.2.1, the latest supported version for iPhone 3G.
- Limited Edition: Only three units were produced, each taking 350 hours to craft.
#9. iPhone 3G Gold Edition
(Source: webnode.page)
- Display: 3.5-inch multi-touch screen with a 320×480 pixel resolution at 163 ppi.
- Processor: 412 MHz ARM 11 CPU.
- Memory: 128 MB RAM.
- Storage: Available in 8 GB and 16 GB variants.
- Camera: 2 MP rear camera with 1600×1200 pixel resolution.
- Battery: 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery.
- Dimensions: 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm; weight of 133 grams.
- Operating System: Initially shipped with iPhone OS 2.0; upgradable to iOS 4.2.1.
- Connectivity: Supports 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and A-GPS.
- Design: Gold-plated casing, offering a premium aesthetic.
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#10. iPhone Princess Plus
(Source: steemit.com)
- Diamond Count: 318 diamonds adorn the device.
- Princess-Cut Diamonds: 138 diamonds feature a princess cut.
- Brilliant-Cut Diamonds: 180 diamonds are brilliant-cut.
- Total Diamond Weight: Approximately 17.75 carats of diamonds are set into the phone.
- Gold Accents: The rim is crafted from 18-carat white gold.
- Price: Valued at USD 176,400.
- Release Year: Introduced in 2008.
- Design Inspiration: Named “Princess Plus” due to the use of princess-cut diamonds.
- Alternative Version: A less expensive model with only brilliant-cut diamonds was available for USD 66,150.
- First Owner: A Russian businessman pre-ordered the device in October 2007.
Conclusion
iPhones are getting more expensive due to advanced technology, high-quality materials, and brand value. Apple keeps adding better cameras, powerful chips, and new features, which increase costs. Taxes, import fees, and supply chain issues also make prices higher in some countries. Despite the high price, many people still buy iPhones because of their reliability, security, and status symbol.
However, some users feel that the price is too high for the features offered. In the end, buying an iPhone depends on personal choice and budget.