UK-based luxury phonemaker Vertu has launched its first Android smartphone, which features a titanium frame and sapphire screen but no 4G connection. CEO Perry Oosting told the BBC the handset sells for EUR 7,900. Under Nokia ownership until last year and using Symbian OS to date, Vertu has had 326,000 smartphone customers in 10 years. Each phone bears the name and signature of the person who assembled it on the inside lid and features a concierge button for help with restaurant and event bookings anywhere in the world. Vertu phones can only be bought at 500 stores, 70 of which are Vertu boutiques. The company said China was its biggest market.
