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Vertu is a brand I wouldn’t normally bother covering. They were originally a luxury subbrand of Nokia, but were sold to a Swedish private equity firm EQT VI back in 2012.
Following the acquisition, they produced luxury phones at insane prices with mediocre specs. It was mostly a style of function with the added benefit of a concierge service tacked on.
The company changed hands multiple times, and in 2017, the UK-based manufacturing arm ceased trading.
Since then, they have launched a handful of phones with more premium specs, including the Quantum Flip, a foldable phone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The specs don’t exactly justify the price, but if you are paying several thousand for a phone, you want decent quality specs.
Admittedly, they still sell some terrible spec phones such as the Ivertu Calfskin 5G, which currently retails for £1,150.00 and uses a Snapdragon 888, which is 5 years old.
Today, they launch the Agent Q, which will be available from Harrods. As you might expect for a phone in 2025, they are leaning heavily into AI.
I dread to think how much it will cost, but I am semi-impressed by how well specced it is, and I can see the appeal of having a concierge available from a dedicated button!
Vertu Agent Q Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 74.6 × 11.5 mm |
| Weight | 262 g |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby |
| Operating System | Android 15 & Proprietary VIOS |
| Performance | |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Supreme 3 nm Chip |
| AI | AI Intelligence VPS |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM + 512 GB / 1 TB Storage |
| Security | Dedicated Hardware Encryption Chip (A5) |
| Display | |
| Type | Flexible 120 Hz AMOLED |
| Size | 6.02 inches |
| Resolution | FHD+ (1080 × 2340 pixels) |
| Camera | |
| Main | 50 MP (IMX906, OIS, 35 mm equivalent, f/1.59–4.0) |
| Ultra Wide | 50 MP (OV50D, 2.5 cm Super Macro, 1/2.88″, 6P, f/2.0, FOV 122°) |
| Telephoto | 64 MP (OV64B, OIS, f/2.6, 70 mm, 4P) |
| Front | 32 MP |
| Connectivity & Communication | |
| Cellular | Full Global 5G / 4G / 3G / 2G Support (NSA & SA) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| NFC | Supported |
| USB | Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), OTG Supported |
| Audio | |
| Speakers | Dual Stereo Speakers |
| Audio Effects | DTS Ultra |
| Battery & Charging | |
| Battery | 5565 mAh (Li-ion), Up to 12.5 hours video playback |
| Charging | 65 W Fast Charging |
It is worth noting that while the specs are reasonably good, they are not amazing. For example, the Sony IMX906 is used on affordable flagship phones such as the Realme GT 7.
An AI-Centric Approach to Mobile Use
The core concept of the Agent Q is a departure from the conventional app-based structure of modern smartphones. VERTU states that its goal is to end the “app era”, addressing the friction that comes from needing to switch between multiple applications to complete a single, complex task. The phone is built to function as a proactive companion that can understand a user’s intention, plan the necessary steps, and orchestrate various services to achieve a goal.
Instead of a user manually navigating different apps, the Agent Q is designed to process a single natural language request. The company provides an example: a user could say, “Book me a trip to Tokyo, same standard as New York, and secure a table at Ryugin.” The AI Agent is then supposed to manage the entire process of booking flights and making a restaurant reservation without further input or app-switching from the user. This marks a shift from a device that connects a user to services to one that delivers the end result of those services directly. This capability is made possible by bringing AI Agent technology, previously more common on personal computers, to a mobile device for the first time, according to the company.
The Software Powering the Agent Q
At the centre of the phone’s functionality are two main AI systems: the VERTU Productivity Suite (VPS) and an AI-driven intelligence system known as AIGS.
The VERTU Productivity Suite (VPS)
The VPS is described as a “toolbox of AI Agents” created specifically for high-net-worth individuals, including entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders. The suite contains dozens of specialised agents designed to handle tasks related to finance, legal matters, health, investment, and operations. This is positioned as an alternative to hiring teams of human assistants, with the agents instead residing within the phone.
These agents are intended to manage tasks from start to finish. For instance, a Meeting Minutes Agent can record a meeting, automatically generate a list of project tasks from the discussion, and extract the next actionable steps for the user. If travel is mentioned during the meeting, such as a trip to London for a product launch, the agent can proactively ask if it should arrange flights and hotels based on the user’s known preferences. The entire arrangement, from booking to calendar integration, is handled seamlessly by the system. The VPS is designed to manage complex workflows like project management, financial auditing, and legal research, functioning as an invisible executive team.
AIGS and the Evolution of Concierge Services
The second key system is AIGS, an AI-driven intelligence system that is an evolution of the VERTU Concierge service that has been available since 1998. What makes AIGS distinct is its architecture, which allows third-party services to be integrated into its network. App developers can connect their services to the AIGS protocol by adding as few as ten lines of code, using principles the company calls Declarative Registration and Runtime Proxying. This means traditional apps do not need to be completely rebuilt to become part of the AIGS ecosystem.
This system can combine multiple atomic services, from flight booking to luxury shopping, into a single, effortless delivery for the user. When the AI’s capabilities are not sufficient to handle a request, a human VERTU concierge is available on a 24/7 basis to provide assistance. This creates a hybrid system that combines the efficiency of AI with the empathy and problem-solving skills of a human expert. The primary interface for this system is the Ruby Talk button, an updated version of the Ruby Key found on earlier VERTU phones. A single press of the button engages the AIGS network, which consists of over 200 specialised agents ready to execute commands.
Construction and Physical Design
The design of the Agent Q is inspired by the white falcon, a bird that the company notes is found in a ratio of one in ten thousand. This theme of rarity is reflected in the phone’s materials and craftsmanship. The device is sheathed in crocodile leather and features a “falcon-wing” SIM chamber cover that operates on a Swiss complication hinge. The construction involves 320 hand-assembled components, U-shaped seamless forming techniques, thick gold plating, and a ceramic pillow detail.
A diagram provided by the company illustrates how the Agent Q centralises various functions. The agent sits at the core of a web of capabilities, categorised under headings such as ‘VALUE’, ‘VANTAGE’, and ‘VICTORY’. Branching from these are specific AI assistants for tasks like IPO assistance, risk management, public relations strategy, and legal document review, suggesting a comprehensive suite of tools aimed at a professional user base.
The Camera Array
The Agent Q is equipped with a triple-lens rear camera system. It includes:
- A 50-megapixel main camera with a 35mm equivalent focal length, using an IMX906 sensor and featuring Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS).
- A 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view and a 2.5 cm super macro capability, using an OV50D sensor.
- A 64-megapixel telephoto camera with a 70mm focal length and OIS, using an OV64B sensor.
The company states the phone has the “world’s only mechanical zoom lens on a smartphone,” engineered with precision similar to a fine Swiss watch. The camera system is enhanced with several AI features. AI Artist templates allow users to transform photos into artworks with a single tap. Conversational AI editing makes the process of retouching photos as natural as speaking a command. Furthermore, an AI photo-to-video generation feature can turn still images into short cinematic motion clips.
Security Measures and Core Hardware
Security is addressed through a multi-layered approach called Vertu Secure Certainty. This framework consists of four main pillars. A dedicated hardware encryption chip is used to lock data at the source. The phone employs a triple-system architecture, allowing for three isolated operating environments: Main, Secret, and Ghost. Communications are protected by an end-to-end encrypted sanctum, and data storage is handled by a 10TB distributed vault designed to make data untraceable.
The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Supreme 3nm processor and runs on a dual operating system of Android 15 and VERTU’s proprietary VIOS. It is available in configurations of 16GB of RAM with either 512GB or 1TB of storage. The display is a 6.02-inch flexible 120Hz AMOLED screen with an FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The phone measures 165.2 mm x 74.6 mm x 11.5 mm and weighs 262 grams. Its 5565mAh battery supports 65W fast charging. Connectivity options include full global 5G support, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Market Launch and Context
The launch of the Agent Q at Harrods signals a return to what the company calls its “spiritual home.” Wiji Singh Gorwara, UK Partner for VERTU Harrods, described the launch as “a true homecoming for the brand in one of the world’s most prestigious retail destinations.”
Molly, the CEO of VERTU, stated, “In an industry chasing speed and features, VERTU chooses a different path, to redefine the future of mobile as a service, where every device is not just technology, but a living companion of luxury, intelligence, and trust.” The Agent Q is now available exclusively at Harrods, Knightsbridge, London.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
