Vertu Alphafold: Is the $6,880 Hermes AI Worth Its Price?

Vertu Alphafold: A Luxury Smartphone for Wealthy Executives

In the world of smartphones, artificial intelligence has become a fiercely competitive arena, with each manufacturer striving to stand out by integrating innovative features. Vertu, a well-known name in the luxury phone sector, is taking a different approach. Rather than competing on technical specifications, the British brand, famous for its handcrafted devices sold at exorbitant prices, targets a wealthy clientele with its Alphafold model. This smartphone combines high-end materials with an AI agent, Hermes, designed to lighten the workload of executives by automating certain professional tasks.

To evaluate this promise, I decided to test the Alphafold in a professional context, focusing not on the usual technical performance metrics like benchmarks or camera quality, but on its utility for a senior executive. I spent several days using the device as an executive would: managing documents, analyzing spreadsheets and contracts, planning business trips, and automating routine tasks, all while relying on the AI agent as a daily digital assistant. The goal was to determine whether the Alphafold is truly a good choice for executives.

Hermes: The AI Agent at the Heart of the Alphafold

The centerpiece of the Alphafold is Hermes Agent, a pre-installed AI agent based on the open-source project Hermes. Vertu claims that this agent can analyze files, automate tasks across different applications, remember conversations, and transfer requests to a human concierge if necessary. Unlike most AI assistants that merely respond to simple queries, Hermes is designed to execute complex workflows, making it the main selling point of the Alphafold, far beyond its foldable hardware.

Physically, the Alphafold, starting at $6,880, stands out with its luxurious appearance and feel. The model I tested was covered in genuine calf leather with titanium accents, distinguishing it from mainstream foldables that primarily use glass or synthetic finishes. This phone is clearly aimed at buyers who view their device not just as a tool, but also as a status symbol.

In comparison with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which I used as a reference, the Alphafold, weighing 264 grams, is noticeably heavier than Samsung's model, which weighs 215 grams. This extra weight is felt during prolonged use, although it is never truly bothersome. The curved frame of the Alphafold makes it easier to unfold compared to the flatter edges of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, Samsung's design appears sleeker and more comfortable to hold when folded, simplifying one-handed use.

Packaging Fit for the Greatest Luxuries

The Alphafold comes in packaging that resembles a jewelry presentation box more than a typical smartphone package. The oversized box opens to reveal carefully organized drawers containing accessories, including a leather case and charging cables, reinforcing the idea that Vertu sells a luxury experience rather than just a device.

However, beneath these high-end materials, the Alphafold reveals another story. During my review, I noticed striking similarities between this device and the ZTE Nubia Fold priced at $1,100. These similarities extend from the hinge design and dimensions to the placement of speakers, microphones, and the fingerprint reader. The most visible difference lies in Vertu's leather back panel. System information also revealed ZTE identifiers in certain parts of the software.

When questioned about this, Vertu confirmed to TechCrunch that the Alphafold was developed through a specialized supply chain partnership involving hardware platform, component integration, and production engineering from ZTE/Nubia. However, the company clarified that it was responsible for luxury materials, software experience, quality control, and after-sales service. ZTE did not respond to a request for comment.

A Proven Strategy

This approach is not new for Vertu. In a 2023 review of the MetaVertu, Wired noted that the device appeared to be based on a ZTE Nubia model, citing hardware similarities and comments from Counterpoint Research indicating that Vertu had adapted existing ZTE models with luxury materials and custom software.

However, focusing solely on the hardware misses the true stakes of the Alphafold. Vertu's real bet is not on building a better foldable, but on whether executives will be willing to pay for an AI agent that helps them navigate their workday more efficiently.

Over several days, I used the Alphafold as my primary smartphone, replacing routine queries with genuine executive-style workflows. Instead of asking Hermes to write emails or answer trivial questions, I asked it to analyze spreadsheets and contracts, plan business trips, manage my schedule, and automate actions across multiple applications. I then compared the experience with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 running Gemini.

Mixed Performance

The tests evolved over time. Early software versions struggled with file downloads, image analysis, and connecting to Vertu's concierge service. After reporting these issues to Vertu, the company deployed server-side patches that restored the missing functionality, allowing the remaining tests to be completed.

What emerged during these testing days was a more nuanced picture than the company's claims might suggest. Hermes impressed when analyzing local files and spreadsheets, areas where Gemini on Samsung's foldable still relied on manually uploaded documents during my tests. It was also more inclined to automate actions across applications and complete multi-step workflows. However, this greater autonomy came with trade-offs, raising questions about when an AI should act independently and when it should seek clarifications.

Can Hermes Replace an Executive Assistant?

One of the first tests simulated a common executive scenario before heading to the airport. I asked Hermes Agent on the Alphafold to send a message to a contact saying I was 20 minutes late, navigate to the airport, switch the phone to Do Not Disturb mode, and remind me to call the hotel in 15 minutes. The agent sent the message, activated Do Not Disturb mode, and opened Google Maps with directions to the airport. However, it did not start navigation automatically and instead set the reminder for 8:08 PM, even though the request was made at 2:32 PM for a reminder 15 minutes later.

Executing the same request on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 produced a different experience. Rather than attempting each action immediately, Gemini asked follow-up questions, including which airport I wanted to reach and whether the reminder should be created in Google Tasks or Samsung Reminder. Once I made those selections, it created the reminder for the correct time.

Hermes was more inclined to act autonomously, while Gemini preferred to confirm details before proceeding. As a result, Hermes completed more requested workflows, but Gemini ultimately produced a more accurate outcome.

Planning a Business Trip

A second test focused on a more open-ended task. I asked Vertu's Hermes agent to organize a business trip from Mumbai to Pune, including a morning flight, hotel recommendations, and adding the itinerary to my calendar. The agent responded that there were no direct flights available in the morning for the requested route and suggested a Contact Butler button to escalate the request to Vertu's concierge service. It also created a calendar entry for the wrong dates, scheduling the trip for July 7 instead of July 18-19, leaving the workflow incomplete.

Gemini on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 took a different approach. After determining that no appropriate direct morning flight was available for the requested route, it continued to plan the trip by suggesting alternative travel options rather than transferring the task.

Working with Professional Documents

Professional documents also revealed a mixed picture. I asked both Hermes Agent and Gemini to analyze a locally stored financial spreadsheet, summarize quarterly results, and determine if third-quarter sales figures were included.

During my initial tests, Hermes analyzed a downloaded sales spreadsheet and correctly summarized the Q2 figures. However, when I returned to the same conversation a few days later, it no longer recognized the previously shared document, instead responding: "I cannot access files stored directly on your local device. Please upload or attach the sales spreadsheet here in the chat, and I will be happy to analyze the Q2 data for you."

Gemini also required the spreadsheet to be initially uploaded but retained the context of the conversation. A few days later, it was still able to respond to follow-up questions about the document, correctly identifying the North region as having generated the highest sales without needing to download the file again.

Overall, the tests suggest that Hermes Agent is an ambitious AI assistant rather than a finished product. Its willingness to act autonomously often gave it the impression of being an agent, while Gemini on Samsung's phone preferred a more cautious approach. However, this same approach sometimes resulted in incomplete workflows, incorrect outcomes, and inconsistent behavior. The pace of updates during the review also suggested that Vertu is actively refining the platform, meaning that today's experience may not be the same as what buyers encounter in a few months.

Beyond general assistance, Vertu has built Hermes around a collection of specialized AI agents aimed at affluent professionals, including agents focused on legal advice and investment insights, as well as the ability to escalate certain requests to a human concierge. The idea is to position the Alphafold as more than just a premium smartphone, but rather as a digital assistant for executives.

In practice, however, specialized agents should be viewed as starting points rather than definitive solutions.