Since the invention of the first telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, phones have evolved across the years. The world continues to witness technological greatness, from wired landlines to cellular mobile phones and, today, smartphones. Today, billions of humans hold smartphones, especially as they are mostly affordable. However, in the late 90s, telecommunication giant Vertu attempted to change that trajectory by producing luxury and expensive phones. Compared to others, the prices of these phones were very high and remained out of reach for many individuals. Their phones are the most expensive and can cost as high as $50,000 today. However, to understand why these phones are expensive, it is essential to know what Vertu is all about.
Who Is Behind Vertu?
Vertu is a subsidiary company of Finnish telecommunication giant, Nokia, which started operations in 1998. The British-based company set out to make expensive mobile phones for the rich, willing to spend huge on luxuries. The company then proceeded to make these expensive phones in its factories in Hampshire, England. Its creator- Frank Nuovo, believes that people who spend $20,000 on wristwatches can splash the same on the phone. This was why the earliest Vertus was sold based on their style and craftsmanship instead of their technological capabilities. In collaboration with Vertu, the former chief designer at Nokia launched their first collection, “Signature,” in 2002. In 2014, the company also launched the “Signature Touch” series, which featured phones costing as much as $50,000. However, the company launched other collections like Ascent and the Constellation series within the next few years after 2002.
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What Is Special About A Vertu Phone?
Vertu’s most exciting feature is its real-life personal assistant- 24/7 Concierge Service. This service provides Vertu owners with real assistants who will assist them with services like hotel reservations, travel bookings, event planning, and anything an actual human can do. The service is free in the first year, and users will pay a $3000 annual fee in the subsequent year. The body of a regular Vertu is made of high-quality titanium and aluminum and has a great feel when one holds it. Vertu phones are also traveler friendly and support every GSM brand worldwide. Billionaires who travel a lot do not have to worry about SIM compatibility, as they are compatible with every SIM card. All Vertu phones today also have an incredible display, built for users to see visuals accurately and perfectly. Privacy is one of the high demands of rich people, and Vertu phones provide users with high-end encryption. With the use of Silent Circle, the telecommunication giants have ensured that phone owners’ call details, messages, and emails will never be leaked to external persons. Lastly, everything about a Vertu phone screams luxury and smells nice.
Why Are Vertu Phones So Expensive?
The quality of a Vertu phone is not in doubt, as they are made from the finest products available. The early mobile phones from Vertu also featured keypads with 5 carats of ruby bearings. The screen of a Vertu phone is made of a 130-carat sapphire and cannot break. Apart from Diamond, Sapphire is the most rigid material in the world. The back case of a regular Vertu phone is also made of very expensive vulcanized rubber or leather, making it a classic. The phone’s design also means that its operating system is updated automatically, without users worrying about it. Vertu phones have one of the best cameras today, using Hasselblad-certified cameras. This is why it is almost impossible to spot a blemish in pictures and videos of a Vertu phone. Lastly, Vertu phones feature connectivity tools like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC (Near Field Communication). Today, they are only a few phones globally that feature NFC technology. NFC in phones allows users to transfer data with compatible devices via a tap on the phone.
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Is Everything Perfect With A Vertu Phone?
While Vertu screams perfection and luxury, everything is not perfect with all its devices. For starters, the regular Vertu is heavy because of the amount of metal and material it comprises. Compared to other phones, the 2275mAh battery life of a Vertu phone is minimal, considering its capabilities. This battery is also why the phone’s back plate gets hot regularly. Unfortunately, this battery cannot be removed or replaced. Another concern for users is Vertu’s unexpandable memory size. This means a user cannot use external memory storage and are stuck with the 64GB provided by the manufacturer. It is also worth mentioning that its design is too flashy and attractive and remains unsuitable to many wealthy individuals shielding away from attention. Unfortunately, the implication of such unnecessary attention is stress for its owner.
Where Is Vertu Today?
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Asides from being described as “tasteless trash” by the wired magazine, Vertu already sold at least 350,000 phones as of 2013. Unfortunately, despite the success, the company went bankrupt in 2017, after the release of the Vertu Constellation series. The filing for bankruptcy liquidated the company and saw 200 staff lose their jobs without pay. However, it emerged from bankruptcy in 2018 and launched the Aster P smartphone. Unfortunately, today, its factory in Hampshire is being demolished to make way for a retail park.
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Sources: Medium, Wired
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