Ten Ultra-Expensive Smartphones That Have Been Sold
KOMPAS.com — Mobile phones are generally positioned as functional technology devices and are produced en masse. However, for the super-rich, smartphones can transform into status symbols, works of art, and highly valuable collectibles. If iPhones have long been considered expensive, the following list shows that there are phones with values far beyond that.
In the luxury gadgets segment, phone prices are no longer in the tens or hundreds of millions of rupiah, but reach into millions of US dollars, or around billions of rupiah.
A range of luxurious materials is used, from 24-karat gold, rare diamonds, to extreme materials such as dinosaur bone.
These line-up of phones prove that technology and luxury can blend into a highly exclusive form. Here are 10 ultra-expensive smartphones that have been sold.
The devices are not merely modified iPhones, but technological jewellery pieces. Falcon Supernova combines 24-karat gold, a platinum coating, and a large pink diamond embedded in the back of the body.
In terms of specifications, the phone is relatively modest with an 8 MP rear camera and a 1.2 MP front camera.
However, the main value lies not in performance, but in the rare materials and the level of exclusivity offered. To bolster security, Falcon Luxury also equips the device with additional features such as a fingerprint scanner and a data protection system.
The iPhone 5 Black Diamond represents extreme customisation that turns a smartphone into a high-end jewellery piece. The device is fitted with a solid gold frame with a home button made from black diamond.
Its back is clad in 24-karat gold and adorned with hundreds of white diamonds, including an Apple logo also set with diamonds. As with most ultra-luxury phones, technical specifications are not the main focus. Its value lies in the design, premium materials, and the artistic value inherent in the piece.
The iPhone 4S Elite Gold stands as one of the most luxurious phones ever made. Its bezel uses rose gold and is adorned with more than 500 high-quality diamonds.
The home button of this device features a large diamond, even accompanied by a spare diamond. Another feature lies in its packaging: a platinum case that pairs with rare materials such as gemstones and dinosaur fossils.