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There are mobile phone makers. And then there is Vertu. Mention the name and those in the know will visualise kingdoms, corporate empires, private jets, access to one-of-a-kind venues and bespoke clothes. Yes, that's what it takes to own a Vertu.
Now let's look at the phone. I have for review the Signature Touch, the Jet Alligator version. The phone is clad in alligator skin with a titanium frame. The back is dominated by the jet black alligator skin and feels solid and nice to hold. Just below the top end is a metal frame in black. A shiny plate holds the 13-megapixel (MP) camera and the twin LED flash, which flank the logo. Below this is the SIM compartment, accessed by turning the D-ring anti-clockwise. The door, which has the monogram, "Handmade in England" and the serial number, opens with a click. Inside, one finds a tray for the microSIM. The inside panel of the door also has the name of the person who put the phone together, and his/her signature. The review handset, I learn, was put together by a certain A Parsons.
I put in the SIM card, flip the phone over, and come face to face with the 4.7-inch display, protected by sapphire crystal, which makes it practically scratch-proof (but it is a fingerprint magnet). The earpiece is covered by a trapezoidal metal plate, with the logo on top. It is flanked by the 2.1MP front camera on the right and the notification LED on the left.
The stereo speakers sit below the screen, covered by a v-shaped black metal strip, with the microphone at the mid-point. The right edge has the microUSB port, the trapezoidal ruby (yes, its a real ruby) button for concierge services and below it the power/lock button. The left edge has the volume up/down keys, which are just below the headphones port.
Turn the phone on and after the Vertu logo comes the Android KitKat interface. A person buying a Vertu, however, doesn't do it for the software; it's for the extras sitting as icons on the screen just below the analogue clock.
First up is Vertu Life, a curated feed giving access to exclusive events (VIP tickets to Madonna's sold-out concert, among others), bespoke adventures (a mini-submarine ride maybe) and personalised services (a private jet to fly you from London to Dubai).
Next is Certainty, part service and part security. On offer is Vertu's customer service, help with repairs, remote assistance to set a device right and access to FAQs, care and user guides. Also on offer is Kaspersky Mobile Security, complimentary for one year. This app (for want of a better word) also offers secure communications from Silent Circle and iPass Open Mobile global wi-fi access.
The icing on the cake is Vertu's Concierge, a personal assistant to fulfil all of one's needs. One could reach the desk via call, email or live chat. It facilitates a Vertu user, to reserve a table at a restaurant with a months-long waiting list instantly; or access to an exclusive club. A touch of the ruby button and one can directly access this service, complimentary for the first year.
The 2.3 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM seems so last year, though in my daily tasks it didn't show much lag. The fact that it supports multiple flavours of 4G is impressive.
The full HD screen, while good for watching videos (ably supported by the amazingly loud stereo speakers), takes a hit in direct sunlight. The 13MP camera was solid, but showed some lag, while the front camera was okay for video calls. The battery, though, might die before the end of the day if you make too many demands; a good thing that Qi wireless charging is supported out of the box.
The Vertu is for those who have the money and want to live the good life, but in an understated style. The Signature Touch Jet Alligator is available for Rs 10.99 lakh; if you want to pinch some pennies, go for the Signature Touch Jet Black at Rs 7.8 lakh.
