The much-anticipated launch of Apple’s iPhone 16 has finally arrived, promising new advanced features and upgrades compared to its predecessors. As the tech community celebrates the debut of this latest model, many people have been left wondering how much the iPhone 16 and previous iPhone models would have cost if purchased using Bitcoin (BTC).
Over the years, Apple has consistently released new iPhones at premium prices, but the growing value of Bitcoin has significantly changed the cost of buying these devices with the cryptocurrency.
The Cost of iPhones in Bitcoin Over Time
Since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009, the cryptocurrency has seen a massive surge in value. Back when Apple released the iPhone 4S in 2011, Bitcoin was still in its infancy, priced at just a few dollars. According to a recent CoinGecko post on X (formerly Twitter), purchasing an iPhone 4S with Bitcoin would have cost a staggering 162 BTC, which today would be valued at $9.17 million.
As Bitcoin’s value began to rise steadily, so did the cost of iPhones in BTC. In 2012, when the iPhone 5 launched, purchasing the device with Bitcoin would have cost 53 BTC. By the time the iPhone 6 and 6S were released in 2014 and 2015, Bitcoin’s value had increased significantly, and the cost of these models in Bitcoin dropped to 1.7 BTC and 2.8 BTC, respectively.
The trend continued in the following years. In 2016, the iPhone 7 cost around 1.1 BTC, while the iPhone 8, released in 2017, required just 0.19 BTC. That same year, Apple introduced the iPhone X, which was priced at 0.14 BTC. By 2018, Bitcoin had seen another surge, and the iPhone XS cost around 0.15 BTC.
With the release of the iPhone 11 in 2019, Bitcoin’s value was higher than ever, and the phone cost just 0.068 BTC. The iPhone 12, launched in 2020, was priced at 0.051 BTC as Bitcoin became more mainstream in the financial world. In 2021, when Bitcoin hit record highs, the iPhone 13 was available for an all-time low price of 0.018 BTC.
As Bitcoin’s value fluctuated in the following years, the cost of iPhones in BTC reflected these changes. The iPhone 14, launched in 2022, was priced at 0.042 BTC, while the iPhone 15, released in 2023, cost 0.031 BTC. Now, in 2024, with the debut of the iPhone 16, buyers can purchase the latest model for 0.014 BTC, or approximately $792, given the current exchange rate.
Bitcoin’s Growth Outpaces iPhone Prices
One clear takeaway from CoinGecko’s data is that the amount of Bitcoin required to buy an iPhone has dramatically decreased over the years. The iPhone 4S, which once cost 162 BTC, now seems exorbitant compared to the mere 0.014 BTC needed for the iPhone 16. This decline reflects Bitcoin’s substantial appreciation in value and its rise as a high-value asset within the financial world.
As Bitcoin continues to gain widespread adoption and demand increases, the price of new iPhones in terms of dollars is likely to rise. However, as Bitcoin’s value grows, it is probable that fewer BTC will be required to purchase future iPhone models. Apple’s iPhone remains a symbol of cutting-edge technology, but Bitcoin has also evolved, becoming a revolutionary financial tool, altering the landscape of global payments and investments.
