Vertu, the luxury phone brand known for its opulent designs and equally extravagant price tags, has officially re-entered the smartphone arena with its new Agent Q. Unveiled on October 16, 2025, at an exclusive event held at London's iconic Harrods, this device isn't just a phone; it's being pitched as the "world's first AI Agent Phone." But here's the kicker, folks: despite its official status, the Agent Q is proving notoriously difficult to acquire. You’re probably thinking, "Vertu? Are they even still around?" Well, they are, and they're back with a vengeance for a very specific clientele.

The unveiling itself set the tone for the Agent Q's ultra-premium positioning. Harrods was the venue, signifying a clear target audience. Vertu’s official channels, including their X account, had been teasing the launch, emphasizing "a new era of intelligence and luxury." But don’t even think about strolling into your local electronics superstore expecting to pick one up. This isn't your everyday gadget release.

The truth is, Vertu has made the Agent Q deliberately scarce. Initial reports suggest production volumes are incredibly low, possibly under 1,000 units globally for the first run. Availability is restricted to select high-end retailers, like Harrods in the UK, and Vertu’s own boutique stores across Europe and Asia. Online pre-orders? Those are strictly invitation-only, meaning you're not just buying a phone, you're buying into an exclusive club. This strategy isn't new for Vertu, which historically thrived on exclusivity, but it’s amplified here. Supply chain constraints on custom materials, undoubtedly, play a part too, compounding the difficulty for even well-heeled buyers. It’s like they're daring you to find one.

So, what does this elusive device actually offer? The Agent Q packs some impressive, if expected for its price, hardware. We’re talking a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Underneath that luxurious exterior beats a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (a 3nm chipset), paired with a hefty 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. No microSD expansion, by the way.

But the true Vertu signature is in the build and the AI. This phone boasts a steel frame and a unique U-shaped seamless hinge design, comprised of 320 hand-assembled components. Talk about craftsmanship, right? Back options include walnut wood, or fine leathers like calf or alligator – because why settle for glass when you can have something truly bespoke? And the cameras? A triple rear setup, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. For an added touch of privacy, these cameras are hidden behind mechanical doors. A true statement piece.

The pricing, let me tell you, it's stratospheric. Starting at around £4,500 (approximately $5,800 USD) for the base model, it can climb north of £7,000 (€8,000) for premium variants with alligator leather and custom gold accents. No carrier deals, no subsidies; this is full-price, outright purchase. Compare that to the latest iPhone or Galaxy Ultra – it’s a whole different league. It's like buying a supercar; you don't fret about its 0-60 time against a budget sedan, do you?

The core innovation Vertu is pushing beyond the sheer luxury is its AI Agent functionality. Unlike conventional smartphones that rely on apps, Vertu claims the Agent Q utilizes proprietary AI agents that anticipate and execute user needs proactively. Think of it: booking flights, planning your day, drafting briefs – all without you having to explicitly open an app or give specific commands. This isn't Google Gemini or Apple Intelligence; this is Vertu's own interpretation of AI, designed for efficiency and discretion.

This proactive AI, combined with privacy-focused features like those mechanical camera doors, sets the Agent Q apart from mainstream AI phones. In a world where AI is becoming increasingly commoditized and accessible on even budget devices, Vertu is carving out a niche with an exclusive, concierge-like AI experience. It's a curious play, isn't it? One could argue that this is the natural evolution for a luxury brand seeking to justify its exorbitant cost in a tech-driven market.

Initial reactions to the Agent Q are exactly what you'd expect: polarized. Tech enthusiasts appreciate the innovation in design and the ambitious AI integration, but many users online are expressing understandable frustration over the price and sheer unavailability. "My wallet becoming thin..." one GSMArena commenter quipped, and who can blame them, really? On platforms like X and Reddit, the sentiment is that it's a "status symbol over substance" for most, destined for "sultans" and collectors rather than the average consumer.

Experts, meanwhile, acknowledge Vertu's impressive comeback after years of dormancy, especially with its adoption of a flagship chipset and genuine AI features. They praise the bespoke luxury and innovative privacy features. However, they also question whether the AI truly justifies the massive premium over other high-end smartphones, predicting limited market penetration – perhaps fewer than 5,000 units sold globally.

For now, the Vertu Agent Q remains a fascinating, if elusive, piece of technology. Its initial rollout is focused on Europe, with availability in the UK (Harrods) from October 17th. Broader access to Vertu boutiques in Asia and other European cities is expected by November, with a potential, though unconfirmed, Q4 2025 arrival in the US. The question isn't just if the Agent Q is a good phone, it's whether Vertu's high-stakes gamble on extreme exclusivity and bespoke AI will secure its future in the ever-evolving luxury tech landscape. One has to wonder, though, how many of those hand-assembled devices will actually find their way into the hands of a discerning few, and how many will remain an exclusive, almost mythical, aspiration.