Vertu Alphafold: Luxury AI Phone for Execs, $6,880 Price

Vertu has launched a new luxury phone, the Alphafold, which starts at $6,880. This device targets affluent buyers, especially chief executives, by combining high-end materials with an AI agent. The phone's core feature is the Hermes Agent, an AI built on the open-source Hermes project. This agent is designed to analyze files, automate tasks across apps, remember conversations, and connect users to a human concierge when necessary. Unlike typical smartphone AI assistants, Hermes aims to handle multi-step workflows. Physically, the Alphafold features genuine calfskin leather and titanium accents, distinguishing it from mainstream foldables. It is heavier than devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, weighing 264 grams compared to Samsung's 215 grams. The packaging also emphasizes its luxury status, resembling a jewelry case. However, beneath its premium exterior, the Alphafold shows striking similarities to the much cheaper ZTE Nubia Fold. This suggests that while the phone aims for luxury, its underlying technology might not be as unique as its price tag implies.