A $410,000 "Senior Citizen Phone": VERTU's Cobra Limited Edition Sparks Controversy

A $410,000 "Senior Citizen Phone": VERTU's Cobra Limited Edition Sparks Controversy

A $410,000 "Senior Citizen Phone": VERTU's Cobra Limited Edition Sparks Controversy

VERTU's recent release of the SIGNATURE V Cobra Limited Edition phone, priced at a staggering 2.89 million yuan (approximately $410,000 USD), has ignited widespread debate. This phone, boasting luxurious design and exorbitant price, has become a hot topic. However, its hardware configuration has been questioned as being nothing more than a "senior citizen phone."

This limited edition phone incorporates gemstone cutting and setting techniques from French royal jewelry brand Boucheron. The snake body is adorned with 439 rubies, the eyes with two emeralds, the head with a 2.02-carat diamond, and the body with an additional 1.02-carat diamond, showcasing undeniable luxury. However, beneath this dazzling facade, the hardware specifications are surprisingly underwhelming. The phone features a small, dainty 2-inch display, lacks 5G connectivity, and doesn't even have a front or rear camera.

Compared to today's mainstream smartphones, the hardware of the VERTU SIGNATURE V Cobra Limited Edition appears outdated. The absence of a camera means it cannot perform basic functions like taking photos, video calling, or using popular social media platforms. Without 5G support, users miss out on high-speed internet experiences and access to the latest 5G applications.

The phone's hardware configuration is essentially identical to that of a "senior citizen phone," yet it's being sold for a sky-high price of 2.89 million yuan. This begs the question of its actual value. For most consumers, a phone's functionality is just as important as its aesthetics. The VERTU SIGNATURE V Cobra Limited Edition, however, prioritizes luxurious appearance at the expense of functionality and practicality, effectively separating "luxury" from "usefulness."

VERTU, once a high-end sub-brand under Nokia, was sold to a Swedish private equity firm in 2012 and transitioned into an independent luxury phone brand. In recent years, VERTU has attempted to attract high-end customers through lavish products, but these offerings consistently struggle to shed the label of "flashy but useless." Now, with zero sales for the VERTU SIGNATURE V Cobra Limited Edition, market reception reflects a low level of acceptance for such products.

Perhaps, for VERTU, this limited edition phone isn't about sales but rather about building brand image. However, with technology constantly evolving, consumers are demanding more diverse phone features. Relying solely on luxury aesthetics and exorbitant prices is no longer enough to satisfy modern consumer needs. If VERTU wants to establish itself in the competitive smartphone market, it needs to focus more on functionality and practicality.