Vertu launches Alphafold, an AI-powered foldable smartphone starting at $6,880, targeting executives managing business operations on the move

Vertu unveiled the Alphafold foldable phone on Thursday, featuring Hermes Agent (built on Nous Research's open-source Hermes project) that connects to enterprise systems like ERP and CRM to coordinate tasks such as approvals, scheduling, sales tracking, travel planning, and operational reporting through natural-language prompts. The device starts at $6,880 for the calfskin version, with the highest-end standard model priced at $46,800.

The Alphafold can route requests across multiple AI models including OpenAI's GPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and selected open-source models, while integrating with more than 80 apps and native phone functions. It includes a proprietary A5 security chip designed to isolate authentication keys, biometric credentials, and sensitive enterprise information from the main operating system; commercially sensitive data can be processed locally on the device, while prompts sent to external AI models are redacted or tokenized before leaving the phone.

The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and features an 8.05-inch foldable display, 6.53-inch outer screen, 6,500mAh battery, and satellite communication capabilities. The hinge is rated for up to 650,000 folds and uses metal, titanium, and carbon-fiber components.

The first 115-unit batch begins shipping this week across major markets including the U.S. However, the company said the system has not yet undergone third-party security audits or independent certification, with independent audits and certification remaining on its security roadmap as an explicit next-stage commitment.