8 years ago, 1 Bitcoin could buy 1 iPhone, now it can buy 140 iPhone 17.

At the beginning of 2017, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) was about $1,000, just enough to buy an iPhone X that was priced at $999 at the time. Now, the price of BTC is about $112,000, while the basic model of the iPhone 17 is only priced at $799—meaning that 1 Bitcoin can now buy 140 iPhone 17s. Behind this surge in purchasing power is an astonishing 2,700% increase in Bitcoin over the past 8 years.

From iPhone X to iPhone 17: Price Stability vs Bitcoin Big Pump

2017: BTC ≈ 1,000 USD, iPhone X price 999 USD → 1 BTC ≈ 1 iPhone

2025: BTC ≈ 112,000 USD, iPhone 17 price 799 USD → 1 BTC ≈ 140 iPhones

Apple has kept the base model iPhone price in the range of $700–800 over the past 8 years through tiered models and supply chain efficiency, which is almost flat when adjusted for inflation. In contrast, Bitcoin has experienced multiple bull and bear cycles, from a peak of nearly $20,000 in 2017, to a drop to $3,200 in 2018, and then to breaking $100,000 in 2024, becoming an important part of global institutional asset allocation.

If you bought BTC instead of an iPhone in 2017, how much could you buy now?

Assuming that in 2017, you bought BTC for 999 dollars (about 1 coin), by 2025 its value has reached 112,000 dollars, enough to buy 140 iPhone 17s.

If the growth rate of 2,700% over the past 8 years continues, this investment could theoretically reach $21,573 by 2033, at which point the estimated price of an iPhone is $850–900, meaning it could buy 24–25 future iPhones.

Long-term Scenario Analysis: Conservative vs Aggressive Forecasts

Conservative annual growth rate of 20–30%: BTC price around 350,000–450,000 USD in 2033 → 90–110 units of iPhone

Optimistic forecast of 500,000 USD: An investment of 799 USD can buy 135 iPhones.

Extreme prediction of 1 million dollars: An investment of 799 dollars can buy 170 iPhones.

However, as the market capitalization expands, the return rate of Bitcoin has shown a decreasing trend, and future price increases may slow down, but its "store of value" property is still viewed positively.

Bitcoin vs Apple Stock: The Return Rate Gap is Significant

Apple stock: The annualized return over the past 10 years is about 22%. An investment of 799 USD after 8 years is approximately 1,719 USD → can buy 1-2 iPhones.

Bitcoin: The annualized return rate over the past 8 years is about 83%, an investment of 799 dollars after 8 years is approximately 3,437 dollars (conservative 20% annual growth rate) → can buy 3–4 iPhones

Apple stock has low volatility but limited growth potential; Bitcoin has high volatility but still offers attractive potential returns.

Risks and Variables: Future Purchasing Power is Not Guaranteed to Grow Linearly

Bitcoin: Volatility may still bring a short-term pullback of 50–80%

iPhone pricing: If Apple introduces major features such as AR, AI, and biotechnology, or adopts a subscription model, the price comparison may become invalid.

Macroeconomic environment: Regulatory policies, institutional adoption speed, and global economic conditions will all impact BTC's long-term performance.

Conclusion

From "1 BTC = 1 iPhone" in 2017 to "1 BTC = 140 iPhones" in 2025, the surge in Bitcoin's purchasing power highlights its potential for asset appreciation. Although future returns may slow down, as a store of value and an inflation-hedging asset, Bitcoin may still continue to enhance your "purchasing power" over the next decade.