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Posts with tag expensive

$131k Softbank 823SH Tiffany handset sells out in three days

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 10th 2008 @ 12:21AM


Recession? What recession? While many in this world are grumbling about a so-called weakened economy, at least eight individuals aren't hurtin' at all. Or, at least they aren't acting like it. The (very) limited edition Softbank 823SH Tiffany, which was offered up for ¥13 million, has sold out in just three days, proving once again that there is simply nothing too expensive for at least some folks to buy.

[Via textually]

Vertu concocts a few more moneymakers: Ferrari Ascent Ti collection

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 3rd 2008 @ 10:00AM


We've already learned that the luxury handset sector ain't hurting even though the economy is (B&O notwithstanding), so it follows logic to see Vertu crafting a new line of covetable mobiles for the affluent. Reportedly, the Ferrari Ascent Ti collection will consist of three phones that all sport the iconic Ferrari logo along with a catchy paint job to further illustrate the automotive connection. The Nero will be all black, while the Rosso and Giallo will be red and yellow, respectively. Each handset features a scratch proof PVD and Ferrari-inspired themes / ringtones, none of which will really make 'em worth the asking price. Speaking of which, Vertu hasn't publicly disclosed a sticker just yet, but given that just north of 2,000 will be made, we'd say it'll be up there. Way up there.

[Via I4U News]

Softbank 823SH Tiffany: 537 diamonds for $131k

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 1st 2008 @ 6:37PM


Make no mistake, this whole "economic crisis" deal isn't affecting everyone, and we've all ideas the limited run of this here handset will be claimed in no time flat. Via a partnership between Japan's Softbank Mobile and New York's Tiffany & Co, just ten of the Softbank 823SH Tiffany mobiles will be made available for those with the requisite cash. Aside from making / receiving calls, this obscenely luxurious device will boast 537 diamonds representing a total weight of 18.34 carats. The pain? Just ¥13 million, or slightly north of $131,000. Say, wonder if they'll throw in a car charger if you buy two?

[Thanks, Marko]

Motorola's production AURA gets delicate hands-on treatment

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 30th 2008 @ 8:54PM


Yeah, you've seen the pre-production units, but that whole "Your Name - S/N xxxx" kind of tarnished the whole experience a bit. After all, when you're looking at images of a $2,000 phone, you expect flawlessness. Boy Genius himself has managed to procure a real deal production AURA, and rather than just sitting around gawking at the gorgeous circular LCD for hours on end, he had the heart to snap a few photos so we could all live a little vicariously. Hit the read link to have a look at what you're probably definitely missing out on.

Nokia's N96 comes to Best Buy for upwards of $800

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 30th 2008 @ 10:43AM


Man, Nokia sure is proud of its unlocked N96, huh? As with the HTC Touch Diamond in CompUSA and the BlackBerry Bold at Best Buy Mobile, the flagship N-series device won't run you cheap off-contract. The Boy Genius shows off a flyer advertising the 16GB, 5MP powerhouse for "just" $799.99 (as expected), but judging by the standard $899.99 price on the outfit's website, we're thinking the lower sticker may be for a limited time only. The question isn't how bad do you want it -- it's do you really want it more than 1.825 WiMAX-enabled N810s?

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Luxury handset sector on the rise as the rich get richer

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 14th 2008 @ 9:27AM

Shortly after seeing an all new Vertu hit the FCC, in flies word confirming that the handset maker may actually sell quite a few (by its standards). According to a new report from ABI Research, the annual global revenue for opulent cellphones will exceed $41 billion next year and surpass $43 billion by 2013. This year, just under 6 million "luxury handsets" are expected to be sold (what exactly defines "luxury?"), with Western Europe leading the way in demand, followed by North America and Asia. Of course, the writeup also asserts that sales of these kinds will remain extraordinarily low compared to all those free-on-contract sets, but don't be surprised to see a few new faces (and their accompanying mobiles) at this year's debutante ball.

Diamond-clad iPhone 3G arrives, no one at all surprised

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 26th 2008 @ 5:07PM


Given that just about every high-end handset on the market has a diamond-encrusted cousin out there somewhere, it was only a matter of time before Apple's latest got its own stupidly expensive sibling. Knalihs Anthem is offering up 50 iPhone 3Gs with over 475 diamonds weighing 3.75 carats in total. Each mobile will be bundled with all the appropriate paperwork certifying the gems, and while the first ten units will go for a cool $10,000 apiece, the other 40 will be priced in due time. So, any guesses as to whether pricing shoots up or down?

[Via Luxury Launches, thanks Yogesh]

iPhone 3G starting at $700 in India, lines to be nonexistent

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 20th 2008 @ 1:17AM

Though we can't definitively say this will end up being the priciest iPhone 3G this side of eBay, there's a good chance it will be. Word has it that Vodafone will be offering up Apple's latest 8GB handset for a mind-boggling Rs 31,000 ($712), or Rs 36,100 ($830) for the 16 gigger. Why so serious high? Because neither Vodafone nor Airtel will subsidize the phone, and to add insult to injury, there's not even a 3G highway up and running in India. Grey market operators to capitalize in T-minus 3, 2, 1...

[Via Cellpassion]

TAG Heuer's ritzy Meridiist handset gets unboxed

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 4th 2008 @ 12:54PM


All but the most affluent among us have likely purged the pricey Meridiist from our memories, but if you've ever wondered what exactly a £2,650 ($5,162) cellphone looks like (and really, who hasn't?), you'll definitely want to check this out. The fine folks over at Stuff were able to point their camera at TAG Heuer's exquisite handset ever-so-briefly, and while the images tell half the story, the folks handling it told the other. The chunky phone reportedly reeked of unnecessary luxury and was built solidly, but we didn't get the impression that they were champing at the bit to call this a bargain. At any rate, there are a few more shots where this one came from (that would be the read link, for the uninitiated).

£10,000 diamond-clad Nokia N95 borders on gaudy

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 7th 2008 @ 10:43AM


To be fair, Continental Mobiles' diamond-encrusted Nokia N95 is a real bargain at £10,000 ($19,813) when compared to Amosu's £12,000 alternative, but seriously, real richies should be holding off for the evolutionary N96, anyway. For those with enough cash to care, this particular handset / status symbol packs a Sterling silver front-panel stacked with "4.42ct of brilliant-cut, VS1 quality, color G-H, naturally mined diamonds." If you're craving one, you'd better get your order in now, as it takes the British craftspeople crazy enough to sell these things three full weeks to whip one up.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Peter Aloisson gives Nokia 8800 a $131,000 diamond-studded makeover

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 @ 4:11PM


Okay, we'd like to issue a retraction here. That Nokia 8800 we called "diamond-studded" earlier this month is actually just "diamond-accented." This, however, is patently studded. Crafted by designer Peter Aloisson, the 8800 Arte Pink is quite literally covered in 18-karat white gold and encrusted with over 680 pink and white diamonds. Best of all, the totally obtainable handset is being offered now to the peons of the world for a mere €85,000 ($131,673). A bona fide bargain, we tell ya.

[Via Ubergizmo]

Mobiado Professional 105 EM / GCB handsets: too luxurious for our fingers

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 12th 2008 @ 12:32PM


Heads up, affluent sect. The immensely pricey Professional 105 line is expanding, as two new members slip in to tempt your stuffed wallet. Mobiado's Professional 105 EM is available in Cocobolo and Ebony, and the frame is even constructed from anodized aluminum; you'll also notice sapphire crystal buttons and a black finish. As for the Professional 105 GCB, it's layered with a 5-micron thick 24-karat gold plating and jazzed up with a fancy logo 'round back. Both candybars feature quad-band GSM support, a measly 1GB of internal storage space and a ho hum 2-megapixel camera, but fret not, as it'll (very likely) be the most expensive lackluster cellphone you'll ever pay for.

[Via UnwiredView]

Christian Dior / ModeLabs pop out another absurdly overpriced handset

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 7th 2008 @ 12:36PM


If Christian Dior's $5,000 handset just wasn't rich enough for your blood, hopefully the crocodile skinned, Swarovski-covered iteration will put a sizable enough hole in your bank account to make you feel sufficiently important. Reportedly dubbed Lady Dior, the ModeLabs-created mobile features a 2.6-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel camera, 640 Swarovski stones and absolutely nothing really worth the price tag. Speaking of which, said sticker is right around €18,000 ($28,360). Laughable, no?

[Via CNET]

Nokia's 8800 outdoes itself again with diamond-studded edition

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 6th 2008 @ 10:41AM


We don't know what it is about Nokia's 8800, but fashionistas and high-end designers just can't seem to keep their fingerprints off of it. Enter Thomas Heyerdahl, the same artisan who gussied-up an iPod shuffle earlier this year. This fellow has crafted a version of the handset laced with 112 authentic diamonds, and it's said that only 100 of the coveted (and individually numbered) mobiles will be made available. All told, you'll find 0.7 carats of United Nations-approved diamonds per phone, and while the bulk of these things will be sold in select outlets for 30,000 Norwegian kroner ($5,933), numero uno is set to be auctioned for charity to the highest bidder. Pony up, son!

[Via LuxuryLaunches]

Vertu throws its own party with Constellation Rococo collection

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 26th 2008 @ 11:31PM


You know how it goes -- when you're this high-end, don't even bother waiting for your bestest of friends to toss you a birthday party to celebrate ten years of mindless self indulgence. Instead, Vertu's doing the only thing it really can by cranking out a fashionable new collection to commemorate its decennial anniversary. The Constellation Rococo collection was reportedly inspired by "the eighteenth century French art, fashion and interior design movement by the same name," and if you're into floral patterns, bold colors and monogrammed Vs, you're sure to fall head over heels for this lot. Rest assured, however, that the epicurean handset maker won't be giving these away as gifts (or anything close to it) when they land this summer.




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