In the realm of luxury and high fashion, extravagant smartphones have made quite an impression. The Porsche Edition BlackBerry phones, once highly coveted, were not alone in their appeal; bespoke designs from brands like Vertu, TAG Heuer, Prada, and Dior also captivated enthusiasts.
In contemporary times, Caviar has emerged as a leader in this niche, crafting lavish versions of Apple and Samsung smartphones adorned with exotic materials such as alligator leather, python skin, diamonds, and even meteorite fragments.
Caviar’s latest creation is an extraordinary triple-folding Huawei Mate XT, dazzlingly finished in 24-carat gold. Aptly named the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design Gold Dragon, this lavish device commands a hefty price tag of $18,200 for the 1TB version.
For those looking for a slightly less extravagant option, the 2156GB storage edition is available for $17,340.
With that price, you receive a phone entirely enveloped in 24K gold, the most refined type of gold for high-end jewelry and luxury goods.
Interestingly, this model forgoes crystals, which is a departure from Caviar’s tradition. However, the company touts that the gold surface features an exquisite texture inspired by imperial swords from Longquan.
The design patterns are said to draw inspiration from the Longquan swords of the Ming Dynasty, with the dragon motif symbolizing prosperity and fortune.
The Longquan sword represents a significant part of Chinese culture, linked to the master swordsmith Ou Yezi, who was sent to the region about 2,500 years ago on imperial orders to forge exceptional weapons.
Beyond its ornate exterior, this smartphone is also notable as the world’s first commercially available triple-folding device. It boasts a 6.4-inch main display that can expand to a 7.9-inch canvas and, upon further unfolding, to an expansive 10.2 inches of screen space.
Despite the extravagant adornment, the device does not skimp on performance. It includes 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a triple camera system featuring a 50-megapixel main sensor complemented by a 5.5x periscope zoom lens, and a 5,600 mAh battery supporting 50W wireless charging.
Even without the gold embellishments, this smartphone isn’t inexpensive. It starts at around $2,740, yet demand remains high, particularly in the brand’s struggling home market.
Reports indicate that many customers camped outside Huawei stores just ahead of the Mate XT’s launch, eager to secure their purchase. Unfortunately, some left frustrated as the phones sold out quickly, with resellers marking up prices over seven times the original retail cost. Huawei is expected to introduce this device to international markets in early 2025.
If the overseas release doesn’t happen, potential buyers can still place orders for the Caviar version, which includes the luxury of personalized design—complete with custom engravings and tailored packaging fit for royalty.
