Vertu targets enterprise market with $6,880 AI-powered foldable

On Thursday, luxury smartphone brand Vertu unveiled the Alphafold, a foldable smartphone starting at $6,880 for the calfskin version. The device is powered by an AI agent that connects with enterprise software to coordinate workflows, targeting executives who manage business operations on the move. For buyers seeking further customization, Vertu’s highest-end standard model is priced at $46,800.

The Alphafold runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and features the Hermes Agent, software built on the open-source Hermes project by Nous Research. The agent connects to enterprise systems like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to coordinate tasks such as scheduling, travel planning, and operational reporting. It integrates with more than 80 apps and routes requests across multiple external AI models. To address security, the device includes an A5 security chip designed to isolate sensitive data.

The device’s hardware specifications include:

• An 8.05-inch foldable display and a 6.53-inch outer screen
• A 6,500 mAh battery
• A camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 5-megapixel telephoto lens
• A hinge rated for up to 650,000 folds

The first 115-unit batch of the Alphafold begins shipping this week across markets, including the U.S.

Vertu’s push into enterprise AI follows earlier AI-agent smartphone experiments in China that faced challenges over data privacy and cloud-based data collection. Vertu CEO Molly Ma noted that existing AI features on smartphones remain focused largely on consumer tools, leaving room for enterprise workflows. However, while Vertu positions the Alphafold for enterprise use, the system has not yet undergone third-party security audits or independent certification.

This launch comes as Vertu attempts to carve out a space in a niche foldable market. According to market research firm IDC, as many as 20 million foldable smartphones were shipped globally in 2025, representing less than 2% of total smartphone shipments. Last year, foldables sold at an average price of about $1,300. Kiranjeet Kaur, associate research director for mobile phones research at IDC, noted that foldables could benefit from AI-agent workflows due to their larger displays, though enterprise smartphone adoption still lags behind computers.

Why it matters

Vertu is attempting to pivot from a legacy luxury brand to an enterprise-focused AI hardware player, betting that high-end executives will pay a premium for integrated, privacy-focused AI workflows.