An exclusive iPhone has sold for $6,000 on eBay.

The 24-carat gold plated iPhone sold after a three day auction, reports vnunet.com. The device was electroplated in pure gold.

It was sold unlocked, so the purchaser can use the phone on any network, however Apple has previously shut down unlocked iPhones via software updates.

The auction advert for the phone said: "Two layers of protection are used to keep the 24-carat gold plated housing in excellent condition for the lifetime of your iPhone.

"The first layer is a clear polyacrylic finish that protects from the elements. This very durable finish is the same as the clearcoat used on all modern cars and trucks. The next layer of protection is an optically clear urethane skin."

UK company Goldstriker, which specializes in precious metal plating, has released its latest range of exclusive iPhones.

Named the iPhone Dual Gold, the device is covered in both white and yellow gold and the Apple logo is topped with 24 carats of gold.