Gadget of the week: Vertu's Constellation

What is it?

The first full touch screen smartphone from luxury phone maker Vertu, called the Constellation. Launched on October 18 in Milan, tabloid! was invited to the star-studded event and got the front row, hands-on preview.

What's special about it?

Those already familiar with Vertu phones will know this: Besides the uberluxurious materials used to make their devices, all phones come with a range of services including the Vertu Concierge, which gives registered users access to a number of exclusive services including assistance, priority bookings and bespoke gifts and experiences in their list of cities around the world.

On the Constellation's 3.5-inch touch screen, these services literally come alive. While the Concierge service has its own button, Vertu has signed up with a number of companies which, upon subscription, gives users privileges such as access to some of the world's most exclusive members-only clubs, a security service which offers users everything from personal safety to corporate risk management, asset protection and recovery.

And did I say luxury materials? My favourite is the touch screen made of sapphire crystal, which the Vertu guys proudly showed off by tapping hard and scratching it with a key. Nothing. The camera comes with a shutter key surrounded by a ruby and the rest of the finish mixes surgical-grade stainless steel and alligator skin leather.

What are the technical specs?

The Constellation is powered by the latest Symbian Anna operating system. Its 3.5-inch AMOLED screen is housed in a 54.5x118.2x12.2mm body. The 8-megapixel camera comes with a built-in dual LED flash while the 512MB internal memory is expandable to up to 29GB. There are micro-USB, Bluetooth, GPS and FM radio supports.

So how much does it cost and when is it available?

There will be variations of the Constellation in terms of the finish and materials. However, the entry-level price will be a little more than Dh20,000. They are all available in Dubai now. For more information, call the boutique at 04-339 8531.