iPhones with Fortnite pre-installed are selling for $1,000 and more online | Gaming News

iPhones with Fortnite pre-installed are selling for $1,000 and more online

Following the ban on Fortnite, used iPhones with the game pre-installed have started popping up online with some pretty hefty price tags. 

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Aug 20 2022, 22:29 IST
While Android devices can still download Fortnite from the Epic Games' store and on Samsung devices from the Samsung app store, there is no such workaround for iPhones.
While Android devices can still download Fortnite from the Epic Games' store and on Samsung devices from the Samsung app store, there is no such workaround for iPhones. (YouTube)
While Android devices can still download Fortnite from the Epic Games' store and on Samsung devices from the Samsung app store, there is no such workaround for iPhones.
While Android devices can still download Fortnite from the Epic Games' store and on Samsung devices from the Samsung app store, there is no such workaround for iPhones. (YouTube)

Not too sure how Epic Games is going to take this, but iPhones with Fortnite pre-installed are being listed online by sellers for really ridiculous prices - like $1,000 ( 74,919) and up. And these aren't even your latest iPhones or new ones.

What's ironic is that someone might actually be interested in paying up because as far as iPhones are concerned, this is the only way to get Fortnite on the device if you have never installed it in the past.

If you have been living under a rock, let us remind you that Epic Games' Fortnite has been pulled off the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store after the developer put in a direct payment option in-game to avoid the 30% fee both the app stores charge on in-app purchases. Epic then went ahead and sued both Apple and Google for anti-competitive practices and exploitative app store policies.

While Android devices can still download the app from the Epic Game store and on Samsung devices from the Samsung app store, there is no such workaround for iPhones. If you had downloaded Fortnite in the past, you can reinstall it on your iPhone but if you have never downloaded it and want it now, you will just have to wait till the whole legal battle comes to an end.

So while Apple and Google and Epic are fighting it out, it's the gamers who are dealing with the brunt of it.

It's essentially not surprising, therefore, that used iPhones have started showing up on listings on eBay that have Fortnite pre-installed. And sellers are asking for a premium price. According to a Business Insider report, some of these listings have prices as high as $10,000 ( 7,49,195 approx).

It’s essentially not surprising, therefore, that used iPhones have started showing up on listings on eBay that have Fortnite pre-installed. And sellers are asking for a premium price.
It’s essentially not surprising, therefore, that used iPhones have started showing up on listings on eBay that have Fortnite pre-installed. And sellers are asking for a premium price. (eBay)
image caption
It’s essentially not surprising, therefore, that used iPhones have started showing up on listings on eBay that have Fortnite pre-installed. And sellers are asking for a premium price. (eBay)

The Next Web reports that they have spotted many iPhones with a four-figure price tags on eBay, LetGo and OfferUp. 

However, just because these listings exist that does not mean people are actually buying these phones. But that’s not going to stop these sellers, clearly.
However, just because these listings exist that does not mean people are actually buying these phones. But that’s not going to stop these sellers, clearly. (The Next Web)
image caption
However, just because these listings exist that does not mean people are actually buying these phones. But that’s not going to stop these sellers, clearly. (The Next Web)

The iPhones on offer are a mix of high-end models and older ones, used models mostly and the only thing they all have in common is that they have Fortnite on it.

However, just because these listings exist that does not mean people are actually buying these phones. But that's not going to stop these sellers, clearly.

The Next Web reports that they also spotted some Android devices on offer as well, but of course, they were not as expensive as the iPhones. And this is obviously related to the fact that you can still get the game on Android devices, just not from the Play Store.

Most importantly though, if anyone has money to throw about and decides to buy one of these iPhones with pre-installed Fortnite, the game is going to stop working the very moment a new iOS update rolls in. Apple has banned the game and that means Epic can no longer support the game and roll out the updates it needs to keep running. If you already have the game on your iPhone, you can play it for now, but that might change soon.

So, for all practical purposes, make some wiser investments.

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First Published Date: 21 Aug, 11:33 IST
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