In a surprising twist, the value of used iPhones has seen a dramatic surge as sellers leverage the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's availability in the United States. As reported, users have been listing their secondhand iPhones, sometimes with cracked screens, at exorbitant prices simply due to the presence of the popular app. The situation escalated when TikTok was temporarily unavailable on Sunday, following a Supreme Court ruling that backed a law effectively banning the app. However, operations resumed quickly after President Trump indicated plans for an executive order to pause the enforcement of this law. The situation remains fluid, leaving many users contemplating the value of their phones if they contain the TikTok app.

Individual sellers have capitalized on this uncertainty, listing iPhones at astonishing prices. For example, Piotr Gustab, an IT engineer, sought $3,000 for his iPhone 15 Pro loaded with TikTok on Facebook Marketplace. This price is nearly three times that of a new iPhone 16 Pro. Another listing for an iPhone with TikTok on eBay reached as high as $20,000, showcasing the extravagant demand from TikTok enthusiasts desperate to retain access to their favorite social media platform. It’s a trend observed on various platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, where listings often highlight terms such as "TikTok installed," and in some cases, even include additional software like CapCut, appending further value to the device.

As the battle over TikTok continues, with tech giants like Apple and Google complying with the law by removing the app from their platforms, many users who still possess it installed on their devices are viewing their phones as “golden tickets.” Echoed by seller Izell Malloy, who was offered up to $5,700 for his device, the belief that the app's mere presence can drastically inflate an iPhone's worth is leading to a unique market phenomenon. However, critics question the sanity of asking for such outrageous prices, given that TikTok is still accessible through web browsers, and alternative methods to download the app are being discussed among internet users.

While some listings seem unrealistic, the fervor behind TikTok and the lengths to which users will go to keep it in their lives has driven this bizarre resale trend. As stated in The New York Times, and echoed by Business Insider, this phenomenon reflects both the app’s cultural significance and the users' attachment to it, which may not fade even if new downloads become barred.

For now, TikTok's fate hangs in the balance, but those with the app already installed seem to have found a way to turn their devices into coveted items, leading the resale market to unprecedented heights.

Read more about this trending topic through these sources: India Times, New York Times, and Business Insider.