Vertu Returns With Foldable Phone Featuring AI Agent
▼ Summary
– Vertu announced the AlphaFold, a book-like folding phone with an AI agent called Hermes Agent that can manage schedules and tasks for business executives.
– The company has a history as a Nokia subsidiary making luxury phones with concierge service but declined during the smartphone revolution and changed ownership multiple times.
– Vertu phones are no longer made in the UK; they are assembled in China with high-end materials sourced from other countries, while the company’s head office is in Hong Kong.
– The AlphaFold features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 6,500-mAh silicon-anode battery, 65-watt fast charging, and a hinge tested for 650,000 folds.
– The phone has an 8.05-inch inner screen with 120-Hz refresh rate, a 6.53-inch outer screen, and a triple-camera system with 50-megapixel main, ultrawide, and 5-megapixel telephoto lenses.
Vertu, a brand long synonymous with luxury smartphones that paired extravagant materials with outdated specs and astronomical pricing, is attempting a pivot for the modern era. The company has now introduced its first book-style foldable phone, integrating a dedicated AI agent to capture the current tech zeitgeist.
Officially announced on Thursday, the AlphaFold is positioned squarely at business executives. Its standout feature is the Hermes Agent, an artificial intelligence tool designed to autonomously manage schedules, handle tasks, and even “connect to enterprise systems.” This move capitalizes on the broader industry trend where major players like Google and Samsung are embedding Gemini into Android devices to perform actions such as booking rides or ordering food. Vertu is betting that a similar, enterprise-focused assistant will appeal to its high-end clientele.
The company’s history, however, is complicated. Initially a subsidiary of Nokia, Vertu was known for handcrafting luxury phones in the UK during the early 2000s, complete with a live concierge button. But the smartphone revolution left the brand behind. After a series of ownership changes, the UK factory was shuttered, and staff were laid off.
In recent years, Vertu has quietly reemerged, producing high-end Android phones. A flip-style foldable launched last year carried a starting price of $4,300 (with a calfskin backplate, naturally). Late 2025 saw the unveiling of the Agent Q, which the company branded as the “world’s first AI agent phone for entrepreneurs.”
Though Vertu still markets a British heritage, its phones are no longer made in the UK. According to the company’s website, its headquarters are now in Hong Kong. Spokesperson Viki You confirmed to WIRED that the devices are “still handcrafted,” but assembly takes place in China. “We have different factories,” You explained, noting that premium materials like full-grain calfskin from Italy are sourced internationally.
On paper, the AlphaFold checks all the boxes for a premium Android device. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset from 2025. At 11.8 mm thick when folded and 5.4 mm unfolded, it is slightly thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 but on par with competitors like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Vertu claims the hinge and screen have been tested to withstand 650,000 folds, exceeding Samsung’s claim of 500,000.
Powering the device is a 6,500 mAh silicon-anode battery, an emerging technology already popular in Chinese smartphones and now appearing in Western models from brands like Motorola. It supports 65-watt fast charging and features a 120-Hz refresh rate on both the 8.05-inch inner screen and the 6.53-inch outer display. The camera system includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5-megapixel telephoto shooter.
(Source: Wired)