The smartphone industry is currently witnessing an intense competition focused on integrating artificial intelligence into devices to attract everyday users. However, Vertu, the luxury phone manufacturer established in the UK, is taking a unique route. Known for their handcrafted phones priced in the tens of thousands, Vertu has carved out a niche by offering opulent status symbols rather than engaging in the tech-spec race. Its latest model, the Alphafold, is aimed at affluent individuals, particularly executives, blending high-end materials with an AI assistant designed to streamline their daily tasks.
To explore Vertu's claims, I shifted my focus from typical smartphone metrics like benchmark performance and camera quality. Instead, I spent several days using the Alphafold as Vertu suggests its customers would, handling tasks such as document management, spreadsheet analysis, trip planning, and routine automation, while leveraging the AI assistant as a support tool throughout my workday. The core query was not whether the Alphafold is a competent smartphone, but whether it genuinely serves as a valuable tool for executives.
At the core of the Alphafold is Hermes Agent, an AI built atop the open-source Hermes project. This assistant is marketed as capable of file analysis, task automation across applications, and managing conversations while outsourcing intricate requests to a human concierge when necessary. In a departure from typical smartphone AI assistants that merely react to inquiries, Hermes is crafted to carry out complex workflows on behalf of users, positioning it as a crucial selling point alongside the device itself.
The Alphafold, priced starting at $6,880, exudes luxury. My review unit was enveloped in authentic calfskin leather and accented with titanium, distinguishing it from other foldable models that predominantly utilize glass or synthetic materials. It's evident that the phone targets users who view their devices as both functional tools and luxurious status symbols.
In comparison to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which I used as a benchmark throughout my evaluation, the Alphafold is noticeably heavier at 264 grams, versus Samsung's 215 grams. While this added weight makes extended use feel more substantial, it retains comfort in handling. The Alphafold’s contoured design facilitates unfolding more seamlessly than the flatter edges of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, although Samsung's model feels more streamlined when folded, providing easier one-handed operation.
The Alphafold’s packaging mirrors that of a high-end jewelry box rather than a standard phone package, as it features an oversized case with neatly arranged drawers for accessories like a leather sleeve and charging cables. This packaging enhances the perception that Vertu is delivering a luxury experience rather than just a smartphone.
Beneath its premium façade, the Alphafold reveals notable similarities to the $1,100 ZTE Nubia Fold, particularly in hinge design, weight and button placements, and other components. The primary aesthetic differentiator is the luxurious leather back. Investigation into the system software also showed ZTE identifiers present within the software architecture.
In response to queries about these similarities, Vertu acknowledged to TechCrunch that the Alphafold was developed in partnership with ZTE/Nubia, utilizing their hardware and production expertise. However, they emphasized that they were in charge of the luxury elements, software optimization, and overall quality assurance. ZTE did not provide any comments when approached.
This is not an isolated instance for Vertu. A 2023 Wired review of the MetaVertu indicated that it had characteristics reminiscent of a ZTE Nubia phone, hinting at Vertu's approach of enhancing existing ZTE designs with upscale materials and tailored software.
Yet, the focus on hardware might obscure the true essence of the Alphafold. Vertu isn't merely aiming to produce a superior foldable; rather, it's betting on whether busy executives will invest in an AI assistant capable of enhancing their efficiency.
Throughout my testing, I employed the Alphafold as my primary device, shifting from simple commands to more complex executive-level tasks. I engaged Hermes in analyzing spreadsheets, organizing business travel, and managing my agenda, then juxtaposed this experience with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 featuring Google’s Gemini AI.
As the testing progressed, I encountered various experiences. Initial software iterations faced challenges with file uploads, image analyses, and connecting with Vertu’s concierge service. After highlighting these issues, Vertu implemented updates that rectified these functionalities, allowing me to complete the necessary tests.
The results revealed a more complex narrative than the company's claims conveyed. Hermes performed admirably with file and spreadsheet analyses, where Samsung’s Gemini often required manual uploads. Furthermore, Hermes displayed greater agility in automating inter-app actions, completing multi-step processes. However, this independence raised questions about when AI should operate autonomously versus when it should seek user clarification.
In one of the initial tests simulating a common executive scenario, I instructed Hermes to inform a contact about my delayed arrival, trigger navigation to the airport, activate Do Not Disturb mode, and remind me to contact the hotel in 15 minutes. Hermes successfully sent the message, engaged Do Not Disturb, and prompted Google Maps but failed to initiate navigation and set the reminder for the wrong time.
Conversely, running the same scenario with Samsung’s Gemini led to a more interactive and ultimately successful experience, as it checked in with follow-up queries before executing actions and accurately setting reminder times.
In another task aimed at arranging a business trip from Mumbai to Pune, Hermes suggested no direct morning flights and offered to escalate the request to its concierge service, but inaccurately entered the trip on my calendar for the wrong dates. Samsung’s Gemini, while unable to find a direct flight, continued planning by proposing alternatives instead of deferring the request.
The handling of business documents provided a mixed review as well. When requesting analyses of a locally stored financial spreadsheet, Hermes initially produced results but later failed to recognize the document in subsequent queries, requiring a fresh upload to proceed. In contrast, Gemini maintained context without needing re-uploads, which proved useful for follow-up discussions.
Overall, Hermes presents itself as an ambitious AI assistant still in development. Its willingness to take autonomous actions creates a more agent-like experience compared to Gemini, yet it also leads to partial workflows and inconsistencies. Observations during my testing indicated that Vertu is actively refining the platform, implying user experiences may evolve significantly over the coming months.
In addition to general functionalities, Hermes also includes specialized AI agents focusing on areas like legal and investment insights while offering the option to connect with a human concierge. This approach aims to position the Alphafold as more than just a premium device but rather as a comprehensive digital assistant crafted for executives.
However, these specialized agents should be viewed as preliminary sources rather than definitive advisors. Although they provide helpful summaries and suggestions, their AI-generated responses should not be blindly trusted, especially when it comes to critical legal or financial matters. The availability to refer specific requests to a human concierge reflects the current limitations of AI technology; human judgment is still essential.
Furthermore, Vertu aspires for the Alphafold to be recognized as a business tool rather than just another smartphone. The company demonstrated an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system integrated into the device, enabling executives to access business data and workflows. However, my assessment of this feature remained superficial, confined to a demo environment, which made it challenging to gauge its effectiveness in real-world applications or integration with existing business systems.
When it comes to security — a vital concern for many executives — Vertu contends that communications with Hermes Agent are encrypted and data handling protocols ensure anonymity in AI training. Users also have the autonomy to select where their data is processed, with enterprise options designed for heightened data protection. To bolster their claims, Vertu incorporates an “A5” security chip, which they assert adds hardware-level security for sensitive information and encrypted exchanges. While this could not be independently verified during testing, it represents a cornerstone of Vertu's value proposition for corporate users.
In everyday usage, the Alphafold behaves similarly to any advanced foldable, with battery life comfortably exceeding a day. However, the absence of wireless charging stands out as a surprising drawback, particularly given that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 includes both Qi charging and wired USB-C options.
The camera also features a document scanning mode labeled “Smart AI,” capable of recognizing and enhancing paperwork, which is beneficial for digitizing important documents. However, Samsung provides a comparable feature, making this aspect feel less like a unique selling point.
Ultimately, while the Alphafold aspires to be a groundbreaking AI-centered luxury smartphone, it falls short of justifying its hefty price tag. Although its exclusive materials and services are noteworthy, the underlying hardware does not offer significant advancements over more affordable foldable options, and the Hermes Agent remains a work in progress rather than a definitive reason to invest heavily.
In conclusion, Vertu seeks to persuade consumers to pay a premium for its brand, craftsmanship, and suite of AI features layered on an established smartphone foundation. Based on my experience, the rationale for this significant investment is hard to support, especially when alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 deliver a more mature foldable experience with similar functionality at a significantly lower cost. With the anticipated release of the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 8 approaching, the Alphafold's competitive edge becomes even more questionable.
