At 17, he sold his kidney for iPhone 4 And iPad 2, what happened next is heartbreaking

iPhone

How far would you go just to own an iPhone? For most of us, it’s a simple splurge. But for 17-year-old Wang Shangkun, that desire took a shocking and tragic turn. Back in 2011, Wang came from a poor family in China and couldn’t afford the latest Apple gadgets — the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. Tempted by the promise of quick money, he made a choice he would regret for the rest of his life: he sold one of his kidneys on the black market.

Wang thought one kidney was enough. Lured by an organ trafficker online, he agreed to the deal and traveled to a small town in Hunan Province for surgery. The clinic was unsafe, there was no proper care, and his kidney was simply removed. With cash in hand, he returned home, proud of his new iPhone and iPad, thinking life had turned around.

But the joy was short-lived. Within months, his remaining kidney became infected due to the unhygienic conditions during surgery. Tests revealed his kidney function had dropped to just 25%. What began as a desperate attempt to own gadgets left Wang permanently disabled. Today, at 31, he relies on dialysis to survive — a daily reminder of a single, impulsive decision he made as a teenager.

Wang’s story is heartbreaking, but it’s also a warning. In an age where the latest iPhones and gadgets are more expensive than ever, some young people are still tempted to take dangerous shortcuts. Wang now shares his experience openly, hoping to educate others about the dangers of illegal organ selling.

His life shows how a moment of desire can change everything. That iPhone and iPad, which seemed like a dream at 17, came at the highest price imaginable. And for Wang, that price is something he will live with forever.