Finer Things
The Most Expensive Cell Phone, What Does It Offer?
By Rosanne Lim
One of the most anticipated cell phones this year is the new-generation iPhone. For people who have a craving for the ultra-luxurious, there is a diamond-encrusted version of the iPhone. Retailing at an estimated $39,600, this is designed by famous London jeweler Amosu. But even the iPhone is no match for some the most expensive phones in the market today.
The 880 Arte that was designed by Peter Aloisson features 18-karat white gold finish, designer ringtones and wallpapers, and it is encased in over 680 pieces of pink and white diamonds. This phone is truly a marvel. But with a price tag of $134,000, it is apparent that this phone can only be afforded by the super rich.
While handset manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung are producing millions of phones for the mass market, these high-end phones are carving a niche for themselves within the industry at the same time. This trend will likely continue because of the interest in "designer" phones. In fact, Christian Dior, Tag Heuer, Lamborghini, and Porsche have their own phones by collaborating with luxury-phone manufacturers such as Vertu.
According to Vertu President Alberto Torres, "Mobile phones are becoming more and more an object of desire for people."
So what do the most expensive cell phones offer that a $200 phone lacks?
Luxury phones have fairly standard features; I mean a phone is a phone just like a watch is a watch. So while you should expect the most advanced technology to be available in the most expensive mobile phones, these technologies are actually also available in phones with a $500 or less price tag.
The main difference begins with the materials. In the case of Vertu, handsets are created with titanium frames, scratch-proof sapphire screens, ruby bearings, and fine leather. Some models also sports gold or platinum encasings. Its design inspirations are likewise "high-end" as it sports fine "Signature" details from watch-making and jewelries or fine "Ascent" details from luxury automobiles. The "Ascent" line also makes use of rubber and carbon fiber.
Expensive phone are created for longevity so classic design and tough construction are essential. Take the example of Vertu, their testing phase includes running
a car over the phones. The goal is to make these phones last for 20 years even though its users may swap phones even before then. How-ever, according to luxury marketing expert Pamela Danziger, the rapid pace of technology means that phones won't "appreciate in value the way a Rolex does". "It's a very, very limited market" she adds further.
No matter what the case though, no one can deny that some people will continue to go for these types of phones. They might not last forever but they are definitely beautiful things to acquire.
The $1.3 Million Phone
GoldVish, a Geneva-based company, has the distinction of selling the most expensive phone in the market so far: the $1.3 million "Le Million". This handset features 18-carat whole gold and 1,800 diamonds (120 karats). A Russian businessman allegedly bought Le Million for his wife when they went to Cannes, France and visited luxury goods fair.
Currently, no accurate information is available on the particular features of the Le Million. But it is just as well because this edition is quite "limited"; that is, there are only three of these phones are available worldwide. The uniqueness of the gadget is one of its best features and it is attracting the attention of rich gadget-lovers everywhere.
One thing is undeniable though, the GoldVish Le Million features the best of Swiss precision and craftsmanship. This phone made its way to the Guinness Book of Records; after all with 120 karats of VVS-1 grade diamonds, 140 grams of solid gold, and 1.3 million price tag, why wouldn't it?