iPad Mini 2 Prototype Goes on Sale on eBay With Starting Bid of $5000

[RaduTyrsina]

Rare Apple products, such as prototypes or old models, have always proved to be incredibly successful with consumers. Such is the case with a claimed prototype of the cellular model of the iPad mini 2, which is currently being auctioned on eBay, with a starting bid of $4,999.

At the moment, the current bid is set at $6,099 with more than 2 days still left until the end of the auction. One of the reasons why these prototypes are so successful is explained by Ben Lovejoy from 9to5Mac publication:

"security experts, hackers and jailbreakers like to understand the software that’s loaded on them to get a better idea of what’s going on behind the scenes on iOS devices."

The seller says that the lack of serial number and FCC markings, along with the SwitchBoard software are enough evidence that the device is indeed an iPad Mini 2 prototype. Here's how the official description of the listing sounds like:

"For sale is a Apple iPad Mini 2 Cellular Prototype WITHOUT FCC logos, and is a 64 bit A7/M7 chip/processor. Apple normally does NOT let these devices out of their possession and you can see from the photos, it is running a version of iOS 7 Apple's SwitchBoard software and is in the true developer mode. There is no FCC markings on the rear/back of the device or a model/serial number. This is the real deal and is a SPECIAL Collectors and Antique item, This is the very first of its kind, and is beyond RARE and may never see another again! The device is a sure sign of a prototype because of the things above, plus the lighting cable is isn't normal. This device is being sold AS IS. This is a ONCE in a life time opportunity for you to take a part of, this is the VERY first iPad Mini 2 Prototype, this is the VERY first SwitchBoard device that has a 64 bit A7/M7 chip/processor, and the VERY first iOS 7 device running SwitchBoard of its kind for sale. "

You should know that SwitchBoard and the applications running are seeded only to Apple Official Service Centers and can only be pre-Installed by Apple.

Source: eBay