Ekhbary News Agency | 2024-05-15
Vertu, the UK-founded luxury phone manufacturer, has introduced its Alphafold device, targeting affluent executives with a starting price of $6,880. This foldable smartphone distinguishes itself by pairing premium materials with an integrated AI agent, Hermes, designed to streamline daily professional tasks. Unlike the industry's general push for AI in mainstream consumer devices, Vertu focuses on delivering status and automation for a niche, high-end market.
Hermes Agent: Promises and Practicality
At the core of the Alphafold experience lies the pre-installed Hermes Agent, an AI assistant built upon the open-source Hermes project. Vertu claims this agent can analyze documents, automate cross-app tasks, retain conversation context, and even delegate requests to a human concierge when necessary. The review focused on its utility for managing spreadsheets, contracts, and business travel, rather than typical smartphone benchmarks. For what it's worth, the device aims to function as a dedicated executive tool, not merely another high-spec phone.
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Luxury Facade Meets Familiar Hardware
Physically, the Alphafold certainly embodies luxury, featuring genuine calfskin leather and titanium accents, a stark contrast to the glass and synthetic finishes of competitors. It presents as a statement piece, arriving in packaging reminiscent of a jewelry case. However, closer inspection revealed striking resemblances to the $1,100 ZTE Nubia Fold, from its hinge design to component placement. System information even showed ZTE identifiers within the software. Vertu confirmed to TechCrunch that the Alphafold leverages a specialist supply-chain partnership with ZTE/Nubia for hardware, integration, and production. The company asserts its role in providing the luxury materials, software experience, quality control, and after-sales service, a strategy previously noted by Wired for Vertu's MetaVertu model. This approach highlights Vertu's continued emphasis on bespoke luxury finishes over entirely proprietary hardware development.
