Earlier this morning, Engadget's Sharif Sakr reported an "admittedly often wrong" source (Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin) had relayed a rumor regarding "the low-down" on a new smartphone from self-proclaimed "luxury mobile & cell phone" firm VERTU that would be out in stores as early as February. The blogger had gone on to reveal that the private equity firm to which Nokia had sold Vertu last June (EQT VI) decided to switch the device from being powered by Symbian to Android.
Less than half an hour ago [at the time of writing], Engadget's Richard Lai posted that the "eagle-eyed Blog of Mobile" delivered further evidence to support the claim, including the first possible photos of the phone that Lai already jibes are only lacking in showing the sybaritic VERTU"diamond-studded price tag."
The VERTU "Ti" (RM-828V), is the as-of-yet unconfirmed name that the rumor mill is using to describe the device, along with such features as:
- Android 4.0.4
- 800 x 480 display
- 1.5GHz processor
- Bluetooth 4.0
- NFC
- napdragon MSM8260A SoC with WCDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 radio
Engadget's Lai went on to note the radio will be accompanied by "a rather lame 1,250mAh battery."
For more incoming data on the validity of the product's existence in the realm we're hearing about, Bluetooth SIG tells us VERTU is preparing the Ti to be a formidable competitor amongst similar devices, one that is sure to be seen as "unique & distinctive... [with] the classic VERTU design DNA and characteristics."
Of course, in embedding their products with precious metals, the claim of "unique & distinctive" is one rumor that can probably already be put to bed as hard fact.
VERTU began its auspicious entry into the realm of "luxury" phones as British manufacturer under the umbrella of Nokia before being sold to EQT VI. Nokia still retains 10% share.
When they say "luxury," VERTU means that their phones can go for the price of more than two or three of your cars (conventional models, that is), with their highest priced product, the Signature Cobra, costing you somewhere in the $300,000 range.
Of course, if you're that desperate for a phone with five-carat ruby bearings, we'd hope you're already satisfied with the one you've got.
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