Vertu’s new luxury Dual-Sim Constellation smartphone has been cleared by the National Communications Commission (NCC.) The high-end device, codenamed “VM-08” will soon be released in Taiwan. Their new device features a 5.5 inch Quad HD display, and the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. It is dual-SIM and supports 34 different international bands and protocols, the smartphone is perfect for frequent travelers. The device runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and while it may be a surprise to some that it doesn’t feature the latest most powerful internal specs, that usually isn’t a concern for Vertu’s customers who prefer the external luxury and handmade craftsmanship of the device. The device’s 12-megapixel rear-facing camera has a panoramic mode, can capture slow-motion video, and shoots in 4K. The sound is powered by Dolby Digital Plus for a flawless audio experience, and data transfer and charging is effortless, as the phone uses USB Type-C. The 3,220mAh battery allows for wireless charging and the internal storage is 128GB, which can be increased by using a microSD card. Included in the price of this device is access to Vertu LIFE, which launched in February and offers Vertu customers access to a range of exclusive events and opportunities.
For anyone not familiar with Vertu, they are well-known for making high-end, luxury smartphones, costing thousands of dollars. They are a British company, part-owned by the Finnish manufacturer of Nokia, who hold 10% of their shares. Their devices feature extravagant touches such as a back made from hand-made Italian leather, and a ruby button for the device’s CONCIERGE service which offers their customers 24-hour assistance to fulfill a variety of requests, from finding gifts to booking events. The device also features a highly durable sapphire crystal screen. The company also offer a bespoke customization service, which can personalize the devices according to customer’s preferences. There are even options to have the device customized with a back made from snake, alligator, or ostrich skin.
Every device is hand-made, and they are aimed at very discerning customers who are happy to pay thousands of dollars for a smartphone. Last year, the smartphone manufacturer partnered with Bentley Motors to release their “Signature Touch for Bentley” smartphone. Prices for the device started at $9,000 and went all the way up to a whopping $19,000.