Live shots of the Black Diamond $300,000 smartphone

We've managed to get our hands on some live shots of a prototype Black Diamond smartphone, a handset that's gained publicity not because of its feature set (WM5, 400MHz CPU, WiFi, quad-band GSM) or its design, but thanks to a $300,000 bank-busting pricetag and an exclusive five unit manufacturing run. Subtlety and style seems to be the main theme here, with the designers avoiding the obvious temptation to stick thousands of diamonds on the case. Click on for comparison shots with AXIA's EMXI 700, and for pictures of our lucky insider cradling the most expensive hunk of plastic he'll ever hold.

[ben @ Sep 12th 2006 11:04AM]

Paris Hilton's next phone!

[Rick @ Sep 12th 2006 11:32AM]

For God's sake-- feed an African village or something. Start a scholarship fund. Donate money for research.

[Hello Moto @ Sep 12th 2006 12:07PM]

Its a nice phone, but I don't see why its worth making, even at 300k I don't think that hte manufatures could be making money... And just how did engadget get one of those? Is this going to be the next contest prize or something?

[kalmbach @ Sep 12th 2006 11:08AM]

For her to use it, it needs to look good as well.

[Hello Moto @ Sep 12th 2006 11:09AM]

I don't understand the point of making a phone like this, there is no way (even at 300k) that the designers/producers of this phone are making money.

Also... Why does engadget have 20% of all phones produced?

[Ogive @ Sep 12th 2006 11:10AM]

Its good and has nice features but come on... if you want to be original you wont buy a phone that costs as much as a car....

[diggdugghugg @ Sep 12th 2006 11:14AM]

not only good but make it more phallic and plate it in diamonds and paris will be using this as her personal "smart phone" with xtra strong vibe: on activation.

[Jason @ Sep 12th 2006 11:14AM]

Artifical scarcity?!? Well, it works to keep the sheep believing diamonds are worth anything {which they are not}. This isn't 1955 anymore.

So the first 5 are $300,000. Just wait a few months until someone copies all the features and beauty in a $400 unit.

It's a freakin million dollar toothbrush for pete's sake!

[exstns @ Sep 12th 2006 11:15AM]

This phone is not fleshy enough for Paris. This is the only overly expensive phone that i have some respect for at the moment.

[Mischa @ Sep 12th 2006 11:23AM]

for that much $ I want a damn good keyboard, and at least one blingin' diamond. and a house, too.

[kalmbach @ Sep 12th 2006 12:58PM]

@ Ogive
I sure would like to know what you're driving.

[Miles_Teg @ Sep 12th 2006 11:36AM]

That lucky insider needs to tame his nails.

[drewski @ Sep 12th 2006 11:37AM]

This thing looks like a remote control for a TV I had back in '89....

I'll keep my $...

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 12th 2006 11:42AM]

@ Miles_Teg

Maybe it's just a woman with man-ish hands. :D

[Jeff @ Sep 12th 2006 12:12PM]

"Its a nice phone, but I don't see why its worth making, even at 300k I don't think that hte manufatures could be making money..."

What about this phone is causing people to keep saying this?

I see some titanium trim (which is one of the cheapest metals available), and the article describes the rest of the phone as "plastic". It may have an actual diamond or two somewhere (though I don't see one), but what is causing it to cost $300,000 other than the artificial rarity? Why wouldn't the manufacturer be making money? I would be surprised if they're not making something like $298,500 a piece in profit.

[poor kid @ Sep 12th 2006 12:17PM]

$300k ... i owe nearly that in student loans (after interest is factored in) ... this phone made by Sallie Mae?

[Josh @ Sep 12th 2006 12:46PM]

$300,000 / 10 years = $30,000 a year

You could hire an assistant for 10 years for that, and upgrade to the newest "model" with better features every few years.

think about it!

[crob @ Sep 12th 2006 12:28PM]

hahaha @Miles_Teg, he definitely needs to cut those nails!

Not making money!? They could sell the phone for $50 bucks and make a killing.

[Bill Reals @ Sep 12th 2006 12:39PM]

I'm going to invent a diamond and gold toliet that only runs on Evain water and the toliet paper is brand new $100 bills.

The robotic wiping arm is a $250k option

I think I know where to start looking for clients.

[Mike @ Sep 12th 2006 1:05PM]

/rant on
This is simply MENTAL! (I was going to use 'preposterous' but am too angry to do so). $300K for a frickin phone?!? It's mental I say, absolutely mental.

I hope the 5 morons (if they exist) who will buy this phone will drop it or lose it.

C'Mon help some people with that money instead.
/rant off

[Jack @ Sep 12th 2006 3:25PM]

Black Diamond - FREE with 200 year contract!

[rockintom99 @ Sep 14th 2006 3:19AM]

Lets see... Do I want to buy a house, or this stupid overpriced phone? Tough choice!

[Z @ Sep 12th 2006 9:07PM]

I completely agree with both Rick and Mike.

What on earth are the MORONS who make these phones and sell them for absurd prices thinking?!!!?

If you are wealthy and you spend this much money on a phone, you are the most pathetically irresponsible person on earth and an incredibly POOR steward of your money. Shame to anyone who even thinks of buying this.

Here's a recipe for $300,000:

1.) Take your 300K, spend $2000 and buy yourself the most incredibly feature rich PPC phone out there (along with accessories and software)...

2.) Then take the remaining $298,000, choose three or four people in need, and spend the money equally on each of them and help them completely evolve and alter their lives for the better: (payoff ALL of their bills; buy them a reliable brand new car; help them get into a better place to live and completely furnish the place with all new furniture; pay for a four-year education; pay for car, home, and health insurance coverage as well as rent and utilities for four years while they go to school full time to get a Bachelor's degree so they can focus and don't have to worry about money; pay for a whole new wardrobe, personal trainer, immediate health care and counseling (if they need it), and image consultant; give them some spending money for a computer, cell, food and whatever else they need) and mix well... Now THAT would change someone's life.

3.) Sit back and feel FANTASTIC about what you just did, keep them accountable, watch them evolve as the return on your investment.


Invest in people, not in this crud that fades. No one will think you're better for having a phone with technology that anyone can get ahold of simply because you have two little diamonds in it... they'll just think you're an idiot for wasting that much money on something so foolish.

Helping people... now there's a novel concept!

[xman @ Sep 14th 2006 2:19PM]

i think it's expensive b/c it's not mass product.

[Dave @ Sep 13th 2006 3:00PM]

So the reviewer was not curious about what it looks like POWERED ON???? How about some action shots! I think this is a joke...

[Chavo @ Sep 24th 2006 11:39PM]

Maybe it's for people who fall into a bunch of money (� la Brewster's Millions) and have to spend all as quickly as possible.

[Hypter @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:55PM]

I swear, when I seen the pic I thought "wow, old atari hardware". Also, that looks like a remote control for an RCA tv we had in the 80's.

[shariq @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:05AM]

i like this set but i am indian so price should not under me so this is a drem..........