Editor’s Note
A 15-year-old iPhone model is making headlines again, with prices surging in some markets. The reason? Rumors that its circuit boards contain gold.
The iPhone 4S, launched 15 years ago, is once again in the spotlight, with its price reaching several hundred thousand dong in some markets. This resurgence is fueled by rumors that its circuit boards contain gold.
On Chinese second-hand markets and e-commerce platforms, iPhone 4S phones are selling for as low as 50 to 98 yuan. This 15-year-old iPhone model, once a technological icon from the Steve Jobs era, is now mostly available as refurbished devices.
The sudden spike in popularity of the old model is attributed to the rumor that the motherboard contains gold that can be extracted for profit. Indeed, gold is used in the iPhone 4S’s circuit board to ensure conductivity, but the amount is extremely small.
On average, only about 30 milligrams of gold were recovered per machine, far less than the figures promoted online. At this rate, the cost of chemicals and processing exceeds the value of the gold obtained, making “gold refining” nearly impossible.
Currently, the iPhone 4S primarily attracts nostalgic collectors and users who prefer simplicity, not those dreaming of creating a “gold mine” from electronic waste.
