Move over iPhones, Xperias, and Samsungs of 2013… because we’re only lusting after handsets that are true, designer luxury
Vancouver-based tech manufacturer Mobiado has previously released the Professional (2004) and the Professional 105 (2008), both of which were received by much fanfare. The brand’s latest, the ultra-thin Mobiado Professional 3 AF series, hopes to replicate the success streak with its ‘thinnest luxury phone’ tag.
But what really commands your attention is the slick aluminium frame that borrows directly from aircraft mettle to form the strong and lightweight body of the phone. The frame is polished or glass-bead blasted, and then anodized to achieve a rock hard, durable ceramic exterior.
Inset with large sapphire crystal plates, the phone is sealed off using stainless steel for the buttons and screws.
This year, Tag Heuer released a new luxe series of smartphones in a short span—Meridiist (September) and Meridiist II (October). The Swiss watchmaker and eyewear brand is now being noted for these lightweight gadgets that are thinner sleeker than the popular Tag Racer.
Fashioned out of a stainless steel frame with a scratch resistant 60.5 carat sapphire crystal screen for a sturdy make, both models are available in accents like alligator, diamonds, and gold plating, leading to a heavy-weight price tag and some exclusivity too.
Vertu phones are a much-coveted lot, so there was much hullabaloo when the brand launched their first android smartphone this year with the Vertu Ti series which boasts of a 3.7 inch sapphire crystal screen, and a titanium case enhanced with leather accents.
The company also went on to release a limited-to-1,000 (each) edition of the ‘Sunrise Red’ and ‘Midnight Blue’ Vertu Ti Colours.
Stats: The Vertu Ti is an Android 4.0 smartphone which runs on the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It also has two cameras—an 8 megapixel camera at the back and a Skype-compliant 1.3 megapixel one mounted on the front.
A relatively new release, the Tonino Lamborghini all-touchscreen Antares is a limited edition offering launched exclusively for the holiday season. The phone is fashioned out of a stainless steel body and rear leather panel, brand stamped by Lamborghini’s raging bull insignia logo of course.
Stats: The Android 4.3 smartphone features a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 32 GB internal memory with an additional 32 GB expandable memory. Footnotes: The Tonino Lamborghini Antares is available at LamborghiniMobile.com and retails for £2,500 (Rs 2.5 lakh approx).
Another auto special worth mentioning from this year is the Ferrari limited edition in collaboration with Vertu, that took cue from the Italian car brand’s fastest road-going car—the F12 Berlinetta.
Reminiscent of the drive in every way, we loved the red stitching around the shell, the prancing horse insignia, and diamond like coating (DLC) and black PVD titanium that protect the metal of the body.
Stats: Under the frame, the phone’s tech specs are that of the standard Vertu Ti, but the Ferrari edition gives you access to a special app hosting privileged insight and exclusive content from the brand, and a bespoke lock screen and ringtones too. Footnotes: The limited-to-2013 edition is available till stocks last; Price on request.
Constellation by Vertu deserves a special and separate mention because it’s the first from the brand that visibly parts from Vertu's design DNA. Much more attractive than the Ti series, the handset boasts of one of the largest sapphire glass screen and a grade 5 titanium body encased with exotic calf leather.
Stats: Using an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS, the phone features a 4.3″ screen and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 S4 Pro dual-core Krait CPU at 1.7GHz and Adreno 320 GPU.
With a 13 megapixel camera on the back and a 1.3 megapixel shooter in the front, the missing 4G connectivity won’t bother you at all as long as you’re in India. Footnotes: Vertu Constellation is available at select Vertu boutiques with a price tag of €4,900 (Rs 4.1 lakh approx).
Savelli’s Jardin Secret collection targets glamorous women everywhere with luxury jewelled phones that the brand launched at Paris Couture Week in July.
Encased in leather hides of ostrich, iguana and alligator, the phones are based on 18kt rose gold and ceramic alternates. Diamonds and other precious stones have been used to bejewel the handsets, and a sapphire crystal glass has been manipulated to create an almost unbreakable screen.
However, what we personally like most is the phone’s uniquely curvaceous almond shaped body, which makes evident Savelli's desire to make the phone's design appealing to women. Stats: An array of 11 Google Android phone models are used; and showcase features like bluetooth, 32 GB memory, micro USB slots, and Wi-Fi.