World’s Most Expensive Phones: Apple has recently launched its foldable iPhone Duo, packed with powerful features, in India and global markets. In India, the 2TB model will retail for ₹4,49,900. The iPhone Duo has created quite a buzz in the market. Many are astonished by its price; while standard flagship smartphones usually cost between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹2 lakh, the iPhone Duo’s ₹4 lakh price tag has left middle-class families stunned. But did you know some phones cost many times more than the iPhone Duo? Some are crafted from gold and diamonds, while others are premium models from luxury brands.
Priced anywhere from several lakhs to nearly ₹1 crore, these smartphones are designed specifically for tech collectors and buyers seeking ultra-premium status. Let’s take a look at some of these phones.
Is the iPhone Duo the world’s most expensive phone?
While the iPhone Duo may be exorbitantly expensive for the Indian market, it is not the world’s most expensive phone. High-end phones generally fall into two categories: customised phones featuring gold, diamonds, and other precious materials; and phones from luxury brands like Vertu, designed with premium materials.
Vertu phones are also more expensive than the iPhone Duo
Among luxury phones available for commercial purchase, the Vertu Ironflip costs more than the iPhone Duo. In India, it costs approximately ₹4,89,990. It is a luxury foldable phone featuring premium materials and a distinctive design.
How does the price compare to the iPhone Duo?
For a direct comparison: the iPhone Duo (2TB) is priced at approximately ₹4,49,900, whereas the AlphaFold Stitched Calfskin costs ₹6,56,000. It includes free worldwide shipping and comes in three colour options. Meanwhile, the AlphaFold Alligator Skin is priced at ₹944,400. While the iPhone Duo is certainly expensive, its price remains remarkably low compared to many other models in the luxury phone market.
VERTU AlphaFold Bespoke Alligator Skin
Its standout features include luxury foldable engineering and dedicated enterprise software; it is priced at approximately ₹95 lakh. The VERTU AlphaFold represents the pinnacle of bespoke manufacturing, offering an exquisite example of luxury foldable engineering. Its ‘Gold IV & Green Diamond’ edition features an 8.05-inch inner foldable screen and a 6.53-inch outer display, crafted using aerospace-grade materials, rare alligator leather, solid gold detailing, and rare green diamonds.
VERTU has integrated its proprietary ‘Hermes Agent AI’ into the device, enabling business executives to review essential documents directly on the phone. The AlphaFold features an A5 security chip, a multi-layered privacy architecture, and a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 65W fast charging.
By comparison, Vertu phones cost 30 times as much as the iPhone Duo. The iPhone Duo may seem expensive only in India.