Luxury smartphone brand Vertu has unveiled the Alphafold, a foldable phone with built-in AI capabilities aimed at corporate executives. The device starts at $6,880 for the calfskin version and features bespoke finishes such as alligator leather, 18K gold, and natural diamond accents.

Vertu’s CEO, Molly Ma, stated that the Alphafold aims to address concerns over data privacy through a proprietary A5 security chip. However, the system has not yet undergone third-party security audits or independent certification. The company plans to conduct these as part of its roadmap for future product improvements.

The Alphafold comes with Hermes Agent, which can connect to enterprise systems and coordinate tasks such as approvals and scheduling through natural-language prompts. Vertu has emphasized the device’s on-device processing capabilities and data redaction features to address privacy concerns.

Despite its high price tag, the Alphafold is part of a growing trend in the smartphone market where AI is being integrated into foldable devices for enterprise use. However, Kiranjeet Kaur from IDC noted that enterprise AI adoption on smartphones still lags behind computers and are often driven by ecosystem integration.

The first batch of 115 units will begin shipping this week across major markets including the U.S., marking a significant step for Vertu in its bid to reinvent itself as an AI-powered luxury brand.