Vertu has announced its second high-end fashion-focused smartphone of the year in the Vertu Aster.
The Vertu Aster follows on from the Signature Touch back in June, and a full year from the Vertu Constellation.
It boasts a titanium build with a typically funky leather finish that has more in common with a high-end handbag than a modern smartphone.
It appears to be a more-than-capable Android smartphone, though, with an iPhone 6-troubling 4.7-inch 1080p display. Interestingly, that display is covered by a 5.1-inch piece of sapphire glass – the super-tough material many were disappointed not to see covering the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
The Vertu Aster also boasts a potent Snapdragon 801 CPU, and is backed by 64GB of internal storage (we hesitate to say ‘generous,’ for reasons that will soon become apparent).
Around back you get a 13-megapixel Hasselblad-certified camera with dual LED flash. Other specs include front-facing stereo speakers, NFC, Qi wireless charging, and LTE network compatibility. Android 4.4 comes as standard.
So the Aster is a very capable phone, then, and one that should certainly appeal to those whose idea of the optimal smartphone size has just been expanded thanks to the iPhone 6.
However, we reckon that even the most spend-happy Apple fan will do a double-take at the Vertu Aster’s price tag, at least if they’re not familiar with the company’s previous work. Prices start from £4,200, and run right up to £5,900 for the ostrich skin model.
Optional leather cases, meanwhile, run from £280 to £590.
Of course, as part of the package, Vertu gives you six months access to its 24-hour worldwide concierge service for priority bookings, money-can’t-buy event access, and general advice for an elite man or woman about town. In fact, the length of that access has been cut in half to help make the Aster more affordable.
When we put it like that, it sounds like a bargain, right?
Via: Digital Trends
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
