Vertu’s new foldable phone offers crocodile skin, solid gold, and a decent price.
Luxury phone maker Vertu has unveiled its new foldable smartphone, the Vertu Alphafold, and it may be one of the most luxurious phones released in years. Combining foldable smartphone hardware with a leather exterior, gold seals, AI-powered business tools, and ultra-premium pricing, the device is clearly aimed at affluent consumers who want specialty like specifications.
The price alone is enough to turn heads. The standard calf leather version starts at $6,880, while the crocodile leather model jumps to $8,800. For buyers looking for something even more luxurious, Vertu offers a customized range with gold and diamond details that can push the price up to $46,800.
At that level, the Alphafold costs several times more than the flagship folding from brands like Samsung, OPPO, or Huawei.
A foldable designed for comfort and business
Unlike most foldable smartphones that focus more on entertainment, cameras, or gaming, Vertu is positioning the Alphafold as a business-focused AI device for executives and luxury consumers. The phone includes an AI assistant called Hermes Agent, which Vertu says can help manage schedules, workflow approvals, travel planning, and business tasks using natural language commands. According to the company, the assistant can also integrate with services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Maps, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Amazon.
Vertu also emphasizes privacy and security. The company says sensitive data processing can be done locally on the device using a dedicated A5 security chip, while high-risk actions like financial authorizations still require manual user authentication.
In terms of hardware, the Alphafold features an 8.05-inch foldable OLED display paired with a 6.53-inch external screen, both of which support 120Hz refresh rates. Power comes from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, alongside a large 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with fast wired and wireless charging support.
The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 5-megapixel telephoto lens. Vertu says the hinge mechanism uses titanium and carbon-fibre materials and is rated for up to 650,000 folds. The company also continues its traditional approach to luxury furniture with handcrafted pieces, concierge services, and custom detailing options.
However, there is one detail that has already sparked discussion online: the Vertu Alphafold may not be completely original hardware. Reports suggest that the phone is a highly customized version of the Nubia Fold, which was launched in China in late 2025. That means that much of the underlying hardware may already exist in a much cheaper form.
Why is this important?
Alphafold highlights how foldable phones are expanding beyond ordinary consumer electronics into luxury lifestyle products. While many smartphone companies compete on cameras, performance, or AI features, Vertu continues to target consumers who value uniqueness, creativity, and status.
At the same time, the launch also shows that AI branding is now becoming part of ultra-luxury smartphones, especially in business-oriented devices. Folders still represent a small part of the global smartphone market, but Vertu clearly believes there is room for ultra-premium niche devices. Whether consumers will spend luxury car money on foldable smartphones is uncertain. But if nothing else, the Vertu Alphafold proves one thing: in 2026, even smartphones can be fashion statements for the super rich.
