Vertu's $6,880 Alphafold AI Agent Phone: Tested
Original: Vertu wants executives to pay $6,880 for an AI agent — here’s how it actually performs
Why This Matters
Luxury AI-integrated devices signal a growing premium segment targeting enterprise and executive buyers.
UK luxury phone maker Vertu launched the Alphafold foldable at $6,880, featuring a built-in AI agent called Hermes designed to automate executive workflows. TechCrunch tested the device against Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to evaluate its real-world AI performance for business users.
Vertu, the UK-founded luxury phone brand known for hand-finished devices costing tens of thousands of dollars, has launched the Alphafold foldable starting at $6,880. The device targets affluent buyers — particularly CEOs — combining premium materials with an AI agent called Hermes Agent, built on the open-source Hermes project. Unlike standard smartphone AI assistants, Hermes is designed to execute multi-step workflows autonomously: analyzing files, managing spreadsheets and contracts, automating app-based tasks, retaining conversation history, and escalating requests to a human concierge when needed. TechCrunch reviewed the Alphafold by simulating real executive use cases — document management, trip planning, and task automation — rather than standard benchmark testing. Physically, the device features genuine calfskin leather and titanium accents, weighing 264 grams compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's 215 grams. The Alphafold arrives in jewelry-style packaging with a leather sleeve and accessories. Vertu positions the device as both a productivity tool and a status symbol, with Hermes Agent as the core value proposition rather than the hardware itself.