Vertu (stylised VERTU) is a Hong Kong based manufacturer and retailer of luxury mobile phones. The company was originally established in London in 1998 as a subsidiary of the Finnish telecommunications company Nokia.[1]
History
Nokia ownership (1998–2012)
Vertu was established in 1998 as a subsidiary of the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia.[2] It was founded by Nokia's head designer, Frank Nuovo, with its headquarters and manufacturing facilities located in Church Crookham, Hampshire, England.[3]
The company launched its first device, the Signature, in Paris in 2002.[4] This was followed by the release of the Ascent in 2004 and the Constellation in 2006.[5] In 2010, Vertu introduced its first smartphone, the Constellation Quest, which operated on the Symbian system.[6]
EQT ownership and Android transition (2012–2015)
In 2012, Nokia completed the sale of Vertu to the Swedish private equity group EQT VI.[7] Following the acquisition, Vertu shifted its product line to the Android operating system. The company's first Android device, the Vertu TI, was launched in February 2013.[8] Subsequent models under EQT's ownership included the Signature Touch (2014) and the Aster (2014).[9][10]
Ownership changes and operational restructuring (2015–2017)
The company underwent further ownership changes, first being sold by EQT to the Hong Kong-based fund Godin Holdings in 2015.[11] In March 2017, the company was acquired by Turkish businessman Hakan Uzan.[12]
Later that year, in July 2017, it was widely reported that Vertu Corporation Ltd, the company's UK-based manufacturing arm, would cease its operations. This resulted in the closure of the Church Crookham factory.[13]
Relaunch under new direction (2018–present)
The Vertu brand was relaunched under new ownership in 2018. A new device, the Aster P smartphone, was introduced in October 2018.[14]
The brand has since released devices incorporating newer technologies. In 2020, Vertu launched the Metavertu, a smartphone marketed with Web3 features.[15] In 2025, it launched the Quantum Flip, a foldable phone.[16]
Products
Vertu's product range has included feature phones, smartphones, foldable phones, and various electronic accessories.
Mobile phones
Feature phones and early smartphones
- Signature (2002): The company's first device. It was a feature phone known for its keypad, which used ruby bearings underneath each key. The phone was constructed from materials such as a titanium chassis, sapphire screen, and a ceramic earpiece.[17]
- Ascent (2004): A model with a design that incorporated elements from sports cars, such as a stainless steel body and leather accents.[18]
- Constellation Classic (2006): A feature phone with a ceramic keypad and a world clock application.
Design and manufacturing
Vertu phones were hand-assembled in the company's workshops in Hampshire, England. The manufacturing process involved the use of materials such as aerospace-grade metals and exotic leathers, combined with techniques associated with jewellery-making and watchmaking.[37]
Materials
Vertu is noted for incorporating a range of materials not typically used in mass-market mobile phones into its product designs.
Sapphire crystal
Since the release of the Signature model in 2002, the company has used synthetic sapphire for the screens of its devices, citing the material's high scratch resistance (9 on the Mohs scale).[38] The 2015 New Signature Touch featured a 5.2-inch curved display made from a single piece of sapphire crystal.[39]
Concierge Service
A key feature of Vertu ownership is its Concierge Service, a 24/7 lifestyle management assistance program. The service is accessible via a dedicated button, Ruby Key, often made of ruby, located on the side of many Vertu phones.[62] Pressing the button connects the user to a personal concierge team that can handle a range of requests.[63][64]
Service functions
The service is structured to assist several categories. These include:
- Travel and logistics: Arranging travel, including private aviation, securing hotel and restaurant reservations, and providing support during emergencies or travel disruptions.[65]
Information security
Vertu has marketed its devices with an emphasis on enhanced security features, targeting clients concerned with privacy and data protection. The security approach reportedly incorporates both hardware and software measures.[70][71]
Hardware and software features
According to company information, Vertu's security architecture has included several key components:
- Secure element (SE) chip: Certain Vertu models are equipped with a dedicated secure element chip, a hardware component physically isolated from the main application processor. This chip is designed to store sensitive data such as cryptographic keys and biometric information in a protected environment.[72][73]
Distribution and brand collaborations
Vertu's corporate strategy has included strategic partnerships and collaborations. Vertu has stated that these alliances are intended to extend its brand reach, incorporate craftsmanship from other luxury sectors, and create limited-edition products.
Retail distribution
Vertu has utilised a selective retail model, focusing on branded stores, dedicated retail spaces in major cities, and online stores. Vertu's retail locations have included stores in Dubai, Bangkok, Vietnam, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Poland, Bulgaria, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Macau.[78]
Brand collaborations
The company has engaged in a number of collaborations with other brands, particularly in the automotive industry.
Automotive partnerships
Ferrari (2007–2010): A partnership with Ferrari resulted in several co-branded mobile phones.
External links
References
- Marin. Vertu factory in the UK demolished to make space for supermarket 4 May 2020, retrieved 13 October 2025^
- Founded in 1998, VERTU quickly became known for its high-end mobile phones. EIN Presswire^
- An Interview with Frank Nuovo