BackIt is 2023 and we have become a heavily tech-focused society where smartphones have become commonplace across the world. While it does seem most phones are interchangeable save for a few operational details, there are some that are on a completely different level. Blending design and functionality in truly unique ways, these are some of the most expensive handsets, for the discerning tech lovers.
Vertu Signature Cobra - $310,000
Originally an offshoot of Nokia, Vertu is an acclaimed luxury phone brand, and the Signature Cobra may just be their finest work. Designed by French jewelers Boucheron, the phone has been put together by hand to give it an extra artisanal touch and is limited to just eight pieces worldwide. The body is gold-plated and the most distinctive element is the jewelled cobra that winds its way around the handset, comprising solid gold, white diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
Goldvish Revolution - $488,150
Swedish brand goldvish crafted something quite unique with this piece, which is evident just from looking at it. Swapping out the squarish designs of most phones for something more rounded gives it an appealing shape, and the phone features materials including white gold, rose gold, leather, diamonds and sapphire glass. It even has a detachable analog watch for extra uniqueness. There are only 32 pieces in the world, and no doubt these will become even more exclusive with time.
Gresso Las Vegas Jackpot - $1 million
Originally an offshoot of Nokia, Vertu is an acclaimed luxury phone brand, and the Signature Cobra may just be their finest work. Designed by French jewelers Boucheron, the phone has been put together by hand to give it an extra artisanal touch and is limited to just eight pieces worldwide. The body is gold-plated and the most distinctive element is the jewelled cobra that winds its way around the handset, comprising solid gold, white diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
Goldvish Le Million - $1.3 million
Goldvish makes the list again with this incredible dagger-shaped phone that was at one time a Guinness Record holder for world’s most expensive phone. The body is made out of 18-karat white gold and has been studded with 120 carats of diamonds. Like the Jackpot, Le Million is limited to only three pieces.
Diamond Crypto Smartphone - $1.3 million
Swedish brand goldvish crafted something quite unique with this piece, which is evident just from looking at it. Swapping out the squarish designs of most phones for something more rounded gives it an appealing shape, and the phone features materials including white gold, rose gold, leather, diamonds and sapphire glass. It even has a detachable analog watch for extra uniqueness. There are only 32 pieces in the world, and no doubt these will become even more exclusive with time.
iPhone 3G King's Button - $2.5 million
Another design by Aloisson and perhaps his most well-known till date, the King's Button features a mix of yellow, white and rose gold, all 18 karat. The white gold takes the form of a strip running along the borders of the phone and is studded with 138 diamonds. What makes this phone truly stand out is of course, the ‘King's Button’ itself, which takes the form of a 6.6 carat diamond that replaces the home button.
Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme - $3.2 million
The Kings Button and the Goldstriker are very similar, but the Goldstriker takes those similarities to a whole new level. One example is that 22 carat gold, 136 diamonds set around the phone’s edge, and 53 additional diamonds used to create the Apple logo are all used in Stuart Hughes’ design. Once more, a diamond is used as the home button, but this time it weighs a massive 7.1 carats. And if it weren’t great enough, the phone is packaged in a granite box that has leather and Kashmiri gold decorations.
iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition - $8 million
Another design by Aloisson and perhaps his most well-known till date, the King's Button features a mix of yellow, white and rose gold, all 18 karat. The white gold takes the form of a strip running along the borders of the phone and is studded with 138 diamonds. What makes this phone truly stand out is of course, the ‘King's Button’ itself, which takes the form of a 6.6 carat diamond that replaces the home button.
iPhone 4S Elite Gold - $9.4 million
Stuart Hughes has perhaps cornered the luxury iPhone market, as this is his third piece on the list of most expensive phones and is only one step below the top spot. This spectacular phone is handmade and customised, with 500 diamonds around the edge, making up 100 carats in total. The rear panel of the phone and the Apple logo are both made of 24 karat solid gold. The logo also features 53 diamond, and going one step beyond his previous two creations, this one has a stunning 8.6 carat diamond forming the home button. The phone comes with an additional 7.6 carat diamond as a ‘spare’ home button! What takes this phone truly over the top is the box it comes in - made of platinum and is topped off with polished pieces of Tyrannosaurus Rex bone, plus a plethora of rare gemstones including opals, charoite and pietersite.
Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond - $48.5 million
This custom iPhone was first produced in 2004 and despite all the came after it, continues to rule the roost as the world’s most expensive smartphone. The design is fairly simple compared to its competitors, with a 24 karat gold exterior that is also available in rose gold and platinum variations. The centrepiece of the phone, quite literally, is a large pink diamond embedded in the rear panel.
Vertu image courtesy of shoutech.in, Goldvish Revolution image courtesy of Ligori, Gresso image from millionairetoysglobal.com, Goldvish Le Million from Pinterest, Diamond Crypto from Pinterest, King's Button from CareerKarwan, 3GS Supreme from Pinterest, iPhone 4 Diamond Rose from Stuart Hughes, i Phone 4s Elite Gold from Stuart Hughes, Falcon Supernova from CareerKarwan