Vertu's Signature S Design is real, hits FCC

Tycoons of the world, get out your pocketbooks. Actually, wait, scratch that -- kick back, relax, and let your butler do it for you, because Vertu has a new multi-thousand dollar toy for your enjoyment. The FCC has revealed that Nokia's ultra-luxe division has finally updated its flagship Signature model to include 3G, and they've taken the opportunity to completely redesign it to make it slimmer, hotter, and presumably, pricier than ever before. The all-new Signature features quadband EDGE, HSDPA on the 850 and 2100MHz bands, and WiFi -- a Vertu first -- which means we should probably expect a fabulous browser to go with that generously-proportioned OLED display. Well, we can't, since we'll never get closer than a thick sheet of security glass to this thing -- but someone can.

Update: The phone's officially been unveiled on Vertu's site as the Signature S Design, hitting a boutique you can't get into unless you're dressed to impress near you come next month.

[Viaono @ Sep 12th 2008 3:17PM]

I don't wanna spend 10,000$ and talk on this phone for the rest of my life...

[swiss @ Sep 12th 2008 3:28PM]

I'm not sure but I guess it costs more than 10000$

At 50k it starts I think

[From My Cube @ Sep 12th 2008 3:32PM]

I wonder what sound it makes when your drunk and you drop it in the toilette?

[Spyvie @ Sep 12th 2008 3:35PM]

If I were to get this phone for free I'd ditch it and go with a WM device, or even an iPhone.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 12th 2008 4:02PM]

@Spyvie

Well of course you would. But you aren't filthy rich. Which is the target demographic here.

[JJV @ Sep 12th 2008 4:10PM]

it wont be anywhere near 50k.....
they are around 5k depending on the model... obviously if you get a super amazing one with built in sculpture than it will be a lot higher..... this will probably be around 8k....

[Flashpoint @ Sep 12th 2008 4:25PM]

Most of these stupid pieces of crap are sold in Neiman Marcus at prices under $1000. These things PALE in comparison to the typical cellular phone (iPhone, Sidekick, etc) and rich people don't even buy them. The wannaberich New Moneys do but, there are very few sales.

[JJV @ Sep 12th 2008 4:52PM]

@ flashpoint
i believe your looking for the word "nouveau-riche"

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Sep 12th 2008 10:05PM]

Even if I was a billionaire I wouldn't be able to buy one.

Because the snooty shops that sell stuff like this don't serve people who don't dress like accountants or club rats.

Sorry, no matter how much money I make, I won't dress like a suit.

[avester @ Sep 12th 2008 3:18PM]

If I want to pay thousads for a phone, I'd take E90, thank you.

[Andrew @ Sep 12th 2008 3:51PM]

Exactly - why doesnt Nokia use their best phone for their Vertu line? Doesn't make any sense.

I don't understand how there is a market for this stuff - seriously looks like a crappy 90s cell made out of expensive materials.

I guess its just a case of pricing it so high that it becomes a status symbol regardless of style or functionality, sad.

Back to my diamond encrusted, gold gilded iPhone.

[Nit-picker @ Sep 12th 2008 4:45PM]

"Gold-gilded"? As opposed to being gilded, say, in silver?
You should be banished to the Redundant Isle of Redundancy Island!

[Andrew @ Sep 12th 2008 5:37PM]

Yes, exactly. Gilded usually applies to gold but can include other metals so in my statement 'gilded' refers to the process of how the 'Gold' was applied to my phone. You must be a Vertu owner.

"Gilding is the art of applying a thin layer of gold, simulated gold, or other metal to a surface. Products employed may be real gold leaf ranging in karats from 9 up to 24; imitation leaf--composition gold, Dutch metal leaf, aluminum leaf, copper leaf; variegated leaf, mica powders; etc." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilded

[Nit-picker @ Sep 12th 2008 6:32PM]

Ok - my mistake. I didn't RTW[iki]. Still, though, that is the most common usage, so "gold-gilded" comes across as somewhat redundant compared to, say "gold-plated". Fair point though.

[who? @ Sep 12th 2008 3:18PM]

Tiny screen. Huge price. I'll take it!

[Randy @ Sep 13th 2008 6:56PM]

Ok but you better make sure it comes with a backpack.

[ChuChu @ Sep 12th 2008 3:20PM]

I will only buy this if the "I'm Rich" app gets ported to it.

[Will @ Sep 12th 2008 3:24PM]

For the price you're paying for this phone/the Vertu line, you'd expect the tech and options inside to be on-par or superior to that of higher priced consumer friendly phones. I suppose they're selling it on the name, material/construction, and aesthetics to the ultra-rich, who are less concerned with specs.

[ivanotter @ Sep 14th 2008 5:09AM]

2 words

Ultimate Durability.
These things are ^^. and a lifetime concierge service...and a few other things

Go read the website. some of the other models have a solid frame that they show torture testing

Its a piece of Sapphire crystal over the screen to protect it. These are HIGH CLASS phones, tre chic type.

Not personally my thing, but if i was rich, I would consider it

[Will @ Sep 14th 2008 5:34AM]

I understood that (hence the material/construction part I mentioned) and I forgot to add in the concierge service. I have been to and read the website before. But still, I would expect its interior to match its exterior ya know? I don't see why you can't get great tech while you're at it.

[Darkroom @ Sep 12th 2008 3:22PM]

is that a jack knife?

[Murphy Mac @ Sep 12th 2008 3:23PM]

That thing is so ugly! It looks kinda Russian, no offense Russians. And that logo at the top is cheesy.

[IndiaTech @ Sep 12th 2008 3:33PM]

Wait... You called Russians ugly and cheezy and expect them not to be offended?
You are an idiot... No Offense.

[BlowURmindBowel @ Sep 12th 2008 4:15PM]

But isn't the target demographic newly minted Russian Millionaires? If that is true I think they have a real winner of a product on their hands.

[Murphy Mac @ Sep 12th 2008 4:18PM]

Wrong - I didn't mean it looks like Russian people. I meant it had Russian design elements. Nice job putting words in my mouth though.

[IndiaTech @ Sep 12th 2008 5:10PM]

@Murphy

I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth. I just pointed out how stereotypical your statement was. Saying something bad about a person's food, art, design or culture is equally offending as insulting that person him/her self. Your statement was wrong in two sense that:
a. Saying if a design is ugly it has to be Russian.
b. Saying you meant no offense, even though you did. That's like slapping a person and then saying "Sorry".

IMHO.

[BobbyW @ Sep 12th 2008 5:22PM]

IndiaTech -

a. where does it say all things Russian are ugly?
b. how do you know who meant what?
c. do you call strangers idiots in person? I doubt it.

[Tony @ Sep 12th 2008 5:55PM]

@ BobbyW

A.) "That thing is so ugly! It looks kinda Russian..." implies that ugly is characteristic of Russians.
B.) This makes no sense, idiot.
C.) I call strangers idiots in person if they are idiots. Case in point: Letter B.

No offense.

[BobbyW @ Sep 12th 2008 6:25PM]

umm...that wasn't in person Tony.

But I don't doubt that someone named Tony calls strangers idiots.

[Wicker24 @ Sep 12th 2008 10:13PM]

I thought it looked like a Klingon forehead.

[Katie @ Sep 13th 2008 8:01AM]

IndiaTech - So - if something is Indian, like you - and it's also ugly, like you - does that mean all Indian things are ugly? I think there might be a flaw in your logic. Idiot. Get over yourself.

[Najakwa @ Sep 12th 2008 3:24PM]

1998 called, it wants its Uniden $10 home-phone design back. who is buying this thing? oh right, stupid-ass rich jagoffs.

[Dominick @ Sep 12th 2008 4:07PM]

Just cause you can't afford it don't be so pissed that other people can.

[Najakwa @ Sep 12th 2008 4:15PM]

hahaha, you're right. Money IS the reason why I won't buy this phone.

[WarMouse @ Sep 12th 2008 3:25PM]

It's got an Autobot-y feel to it.

http://www.pixelhivedesign.com/Tutorials/tutorial_015/autobots_logo_sm.jpg

[Frankenstein Black @ Sep 12th 2008 3:33PM]

Yea, but can I run my 345/35-15 P zeros over it and have it work like the 2.5g model?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/03/business/03pursuits.html

[Mez Jr @ Sep 12th 2008 4:18PM]

Only problem with that article, which was overall good, is that there has not been a Porsche F1 car (reference in the article) since the 60s.

[Randy @ Sep 12th 2008 3:35PM]

That looks like something a Decepticon would talk on.

[Dee @ Sep 12th 2008 3:42PM]

Megatron would so rock this!

[Joylove @ Sep 12th 2008 3:42PM]

So it's HSDPA and has WLAN so it's running S60. Maybe they'll have made a better job of it this time. Like trying to put a silk hat on a pig I suppose.

[Vidikron (FU) @ Sep 12th 2008 3:48PM]

Or maybe lipstick?

[T @ Oct 17th 2008 12:20PM]

It's S40

[Joylove @ Oct 17th 2008 5:16PM]

Then this is Nokias first S40 HSDPA WLAN phne, and about time too. Hope they are sub 12mm and 100g. Got a link to the source of the S40 proof?

[absinthe party @ Sep 12th 2008 3:46PM]

So, if you watch the intro video for the Signature S series, it shows a close-up of the build and a signature inside with the words "Handcrafted by Wendy Beaven." A quick Google search finds me no honorable Wendy Beaven, so I'm perplexed. Do ultra-high-luxury phone assemblers get their own names, whereas my socks say "Inspected by #8?"

[ChuChu @ Sep 12th 2008 4:03PM]

That's because regular google is for poor people. If you search on google-for-rich-people you will find a full dossier on Wendy Beaven. Without revealing too much Wendy is one of the top high end mobile phone craftspeople in the business. She is best known for her work on the legendary TTK-2900 (don't bother googling for it, it's not on poor people google).

[Xenoterranos @ Sep 13th 2008 12:48AM]

Holy crap ChuChu, you just google bombed Wendy Beaven.

search "Wendy Beaven Vertu Phone Design"

[warrrennnnn @ Sep 14th 2008 12:43AM]

I googled #8; I'm gonna have to say, socks have much better known designers.

[Quy @ Sep 12th 2008 3:53PM]

This thing is UGLY! Looks like something you would stab someone with down a dark alley. Probably made to warn people you have a weapon of some sort.

[Colin Potter @ Sep 13th 2008 3:46AM]

are you saying it looks like your penis?

[Sopelom @ Sep 12th 2008 3:58PM]

It's useless to try to find something that makes sense about these uuber expensive phones because there wasent ever ment to be any sense of buying these phones. They are just there to boost the new uuber rich that either just dont care about the price or need to show that he/she got enough to afford it.

..... that said if i wanted phone that just looked nice i would go for the Nokia's 8xxx series even if i would get Vertu for free.