And with that, the tradition continues. Every year or so, it seems that an iPhone prototype of some description manages to find its way onto eBay, and just over a year after the first iPhone 4 prototype made its way into public view , the precious item you see above is now available on a public auction site. To our knowledge, this is the first iPhone 4 prototype to be offered for sale on eBay — at least from someone who actually appears to be legitimate and in possession of the device he / she claims to own — boasting an etched ‘DF1692′ label in the lower right, omitted volume button markers and a mysterious ‘XXGB’ label around back. Unfortunately, we’re told that it can’t be activated through iTunes, and popping in an AT&T SIM did the seller little good. ‘Course, at $810 and rising, we highly doubt such trivial matters will deter collectors from ponying up. Hit the source link to get your bid in — you know, before Apple’s henchmen convince Mr. Donahoe to pull the plug. iPhone 4 prototype surfaces on eBay: A+++ condition, would buy again originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink