Vertu launches AI foldable phone for executives, starting at $6,880

Luxury phone maker Vertu introduced the Alphafold on Thursday, a foldable smartphone built for executives who run companies on the move. The device uses an AI agent that links to enterprise software and automates tasks like approvals, scheduling, sales tracking, and travel planning. Vertu is betting that AI-powered productivity will appeal to affluent business users.

The Alphafold starts at $6,880 for the calfskin version. Premium models feature materials such as alligator leather, 18K gold, and natural diamonds. According to Vertu, the highest-end standard model currently sells for $46,800, with additional customization available. This pricing strategy fits Vertu's long history of marketing phones as luxury status symbols for wealthy buyers.

The phone runs on Hermes Agent, which is built from the open-source Hermes project by Nous Research. This agent can connect to business systems like ERP and CRM software. It responds to spoken or written requests in natural language and performs tasks across multiple platforms. Vertu said each customer's setup would be customized to fit their existing systems, with pricing that varies per client.

The Alphafold can route requests across multiple AI models, including OpenAI's GPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini. It also integrates with more than 80 apps and native phone functions. Vertu CEO Molly Ma said most AI features on smartphones from major makers focus on consumer tools like photo editing. She argues that enterprise AI workflows tied to business systems represent untapped potential for the phone market.

Vertu emphasizes privacy and security in the Alphafold's design. The phone contains a proprietary A5 security chip that isolates authentication keys and business data from the main operating system. Sensitive company information can be processed directly on the device. When prompts go to external AI models, Vertu said they are redacted or tokenized before leaving the phone. However, the company acknowledged that the system has not undergone third-party security audits or independent certification. Vertu told TechCrunch that independent audits are on its roadmap as a "next-stage commitment" and results will be shared publicly once the product matures.

The Alphafold features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and an 8.05-inch foldable display paired with a 6.53-inch outer screen. The battery holds 6,500mAh of charge, and the phone includes satellite communication. A triple rear camera setup includes 50-megapixel primary and ultrawide lenses plus a 5-megapixel telephoto. The hinge uses metal, titanium, and carbon fiber and is rated for 650,000 folds.

This is not Vertu's first entry into AI-powered foldables. The company released Agent Q last year, a clamshell-style foldable focused on AI automation. Ma told TechCrunch that the Alphafold represents a major advance, citing rapid improvements in AI-agent memory, automation, and app integration over the past year.

Foldable phones remain niche devices worldwide despite years of investment by Samsung, Huawei, and others. IDC reported that roughly 20 million foldables shipped globally in 2025, less than 2% of all smartphone sales. The average foldable sold for about $1,300 last year, roughly three times the price of standard phones. Kiranjeet Kaur, an associate research director at IDC, said foldables could eventually benefit from AI workflows because their larger screens suit multitasking. She noted, however, that enterprise AI adoption on phones lags far behind computers and that most enterprise buying decisions center on ecosystem compatibility and device management rather than AI features.

Vertu will begin shipping the first batch of 115 Alphafold units this week across major markets including the United States.