Why Vertu’s new Signature Touch smartphone is $11,300 (for the basic model)

British manufacturer Vertu has long been known for creating ridiculously pricey smartphones, what with devices like its Vertu Ti going for $10,569. 

Well, those with an expendable income who are also looking to update their luxury gadgets will be happy to know that the company is preparing to launch its newest smartphone, the Signature Touch, which comes with an $11,300 price tag for the basic model. 

Why such a high price tag? According to the company, each phone is made by a single craftsman. It also comes with noise-cancelling capabilities, virtual surround sound, and ringtones from compositions by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Additional features include Android’s 4.4 KitKat OS, Qualcomm’s Snapdrgaon 2.3-GHz quad core processor, 64 gigabytes of storage, and a 13-megapixel camera (for comparison, the iPhone 5S has an 8-megapixel camera). 

Worth noting: One thing the phone does not have is an autofocus function for its camera — an odd feature to overlook. 

And since most Signature Touch users are looking to impress their friends and co-workers by paying nearly 30 times more for this particular smartphone than an iPhone 5S, additional comfort can be taken in the fact that the device features a rather enormous 5.7-inch screen, nearly a full inch larger than the aforementioned Apple smartphone. 

In terms of durability, the Signature Touch is made from forged titanium casings, with a virtually scratchproof sapphire screen and high-strength toughened zirconia pillow. It has experienced a range of temperatures, from -45°C to being baked in an oven at 80°C, and dropped on numerous surface types ranging from steel to concrete, to ensure one’s $11,300 is well invested.

There is no official release date for the Signature Touch, though indications point to its being released later this month.

Story via mashable