Luxury smartphone brand Vertu has unveiled the Alphafold, a foldable phone powered by an AI agent designed to connect with enterprise software and coordinate business workflows. Starting at $6,880 for the calfskin version, the device targets executives who manage operations and communications while traveling.
The launch represents Vertu’s latest attempt to reinvent itself for the AI era after years of struggling to stay relevant in the modern smartphone market. The Hong Kong-based company, once known for luxury handsets popular among wealthy buyers before the iPhone’s dominance, has changed ownership multiple times as mainstream manufacturers took over the industry.
The move comes as foldable smartphones remain a niche segment despite heavy investment from major players like Samsung and Huawei. Only 20 million foldable devices shipped globally in 2025, accounting for less than 2% of total smartphone sales. However, Vertu is betting that combining luxury materials with enterprise-focused AI capabilities can help it find a profitable niche in this small but premium market.
The Alphafold comes with Hermes Agent, built on the open-source Hermes project by Nous Research. The AI system can connect to enterprise platforms like ERP and CRM systems, handling tasks such as approvals, scheduling, sales tracking, travel planning, and operational reporting through natural language commands. Vertu says it will customize Phone-to-ERP and VPS deployments for each customer based on their existing enterprise systems, with pricing varying accordingly.
The device can route requests across multiple AI models including OpenAI’s GPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, and selected open-source options. It also integrates with more than 80 apps and dozens of native phone functions for cross-platform workflows.
Vertu CEO Molly Ma argues that existing AI features on smartphones from major manufacturers focus mainly on consumer tools like image editing and voice assistance, leaving room for more advanced AI workflows tied to enterprise systems. She also pointed to earlier AI smartphone experiments in China that gained popularity before facing challenges over data privacy and cloud-based data collection.
The Alphafold aims to address privacy concerns through what Vertu calls a privacy-focused architecture featuring a proprietary A5 security chip. This component is designed to isolate authentication keys, biometric credentials, and sensitive enterprise information from the main operating system. The company says commercially sensitive data can be processed locally on the device, while prompts sent to external AI models are redacted or tokenized before leaving the phone.
However, Vertu acknowledges the system has not yet undergone third-party security audits or independent certification. The company told TechCrunch that independent audits and certification remain on its security roadmap “as an explicit next-stage commitment,” adding that it would “communicate the progress and the results publicly” once the product matures further.
The device specifications include:
- Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor
- 8.05-inch foldable display and 6.53-inch outer screen
- 6,500mAh battery with satellite communication capabilities
- Triple rear camera setup with 50-megapixel primary and ultrawide cameras
- 5-megapixel telephoto lens
- Hinge rated for up to 650,000 folds using metal, titanium, and carbon-fiber components
Higher-end Alphafold models feature premium finishes including alligator leather, 18K gold, and natural diamond accents. This continues Vertu’s strategy of positioning its phones as luxury status symbols for affluent buyers. The company’s highest-end standard model currently costs $46,800, with additional customization options available.
This isn’t Vertu’s first AI foldable attempt. The company introduced Agent Q last year, a clamshell-style foldable focused on AI automation and productivity features. Ma says the Alphafold represents a significant step forward, arguing that AI technology has improved rapidly over the past year in areas like memory, automation, and app integration.
The timing reflects broader industry trends around enterprise AI adoption, though experts remain cautious about smartphone-based business AI. Kiranjeet Kaur, associate research director for mobile phones research at IDC, notes that foldables could benefit from AI workflows because their larger displays suit multitasking and productivity better. However, she adds that enterprise AI adoption on smartphones still lags behind computers, and most business smartphone decisions are still driven by ecosystem integration and device management support rather than AI capabilities.
Foldable devices sold at an average price of about $1,300 last year – roughly three times the cost of traditional smartphones. Vertu’s much higher pricing reflects its luxury positioning, but also highlights the challenge of finding buyers willing to pay premium prices for unproven AI business features in an already expensive device category.
The first 115-unit batch of Vertu’s Alphafold begins shipping this week across major markets including the United States. Whether the combination of luxury materials and enterprise AI features can attract enough high-end business users to justify the company’s investment remains to be seen in a market where even mainstream foldables struggle to gain significant adoption.
