This rare iPod prototype could be yours for $100,000

If you've just found $100,000 down the back of the sofa - and you love nothing more than owning a piece of tech history - we've found just the eBay auction for you: a prototype iPod Classic dating from 2002.

The (still fully functioning) audio player sports a red circuit board inside, indicating it was a work-in-progress model that never made its way out to the public. The clues suggest the prototype was built somewhere between the first and second-generation iPods.

"Up for sale is an extremely rare iPod," writes the seller, theappleguru. "As you can see from the photos, the iPod still holds a charge and is fully functional. This is your chance to own a piece of history, not just Apple history, but actual history."

Tech antiques

The eBayer behind the sale has a rock-solid auctioning reputation and also has some other rare bits of Apple kit to flog, so this looks like a genuine piece of historic hardware. If you find the $99,995 Buy It Now price a bit to rich you can make a lower offer.

We're seeing a growing trend for old tech devices and components selling for a pretty penny - particularly if they're made by Apple - so that's something to bear in mind if you're thinking of trading in your current iPhone. One day it could fund your next holiday.

At the time of writing the auction is still live, but it seems to be attracting plenty of attention - so if you're interested in becoming its new owner you might want to get on the phone to the bank for that loan sooner rather than later. Don't forget to add the $75 shipping fee into your calculations.

Via 9to5Mac

TOPICS
David Nield
Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Latest in Portable Media Players
FiiO JM21 portable music player on a white surface
I tested the FiiO JM21 portable music player and it's hard to believe an entry-level digital audio device can sound so good for so little outlay
Shanling M8T Hi-Res Music Player laid out on wooden table, with black headphones nearby.
This portable Hi-Res Audio music player has a tube amp and Android, for a serious mix of the retro and modern
We Are Rewind cassette player at CES 2025 on the show floor
This modern cassette player with Bluetooth (and matching retro wireless headphones) might've been my favorite music experience at CES 2025
FiiO M23 on a wooden table
FiiO M23 portable music player review: delicate yet muscular, assertive yet subtle, lavishly detailed and vaultingly dynamic
Activo P1 on a mustard-colored blanket
Activo P1 music player review: Astell & Kern audio quality for considerably less cash
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player playing Chick Corea on a white surface
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player review: another huge step forward in energetic, open sound
Latest in News
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand
Hatch Restore 3 in Putty
You can finally start your day with The Office theme song, and I couldn't be more excited
Cassian Andor looking nervously over his shoulder in Andor season 2
New Andor season 2 trailer has got Star Wars fans asking the same question – and it includes an ominous call back to Rogue One's official teaser
Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
Disney+ drops new trailer for Doctor Who season 2 that promises an epic adventure across time and space
23andMe
23andMe is bankrupt and about to sell your DNA, here's how to stop that from happening