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Today’s phones come in a variety of price points. At the high end, some devices cost closer to $2,000. This may seem steep, but there are more expensive phones out there.
What counts as “expensive”?
When it comes to “expensive” phones, there are actually two types.Have actual Expensive — like the Galaxy S “Ultra” series — certainly expensive, but it’s not ridiculous, and you’re getting a really good phone.
The second is the status symbol. These phones are not intended for anyone to buy or use. They have ridiculous features and even more ridiculous prices. High-end brands like to make their name on these phones.
notes: For this list, I’ll be mixing phones from both categories. It’s not just price-based rankings.
related: Is it worth paying extra for the Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy Fold: $1,980
Samsung
Let’s start with the “reality” end of the spectrum. The original Samsung Galaxy Fold was released in 2019 and started at $1,980. This is the first foldable display device to hit the mainstream market.
Cutting-edge technology often comes at a high price, and the Galaxy Fold is no exception. Despite its launch issues, it’s a very exciting device, and it’s affordable. You get a device that acts as a tablet or phone and still fits in your pocket.
The Fold line has continued to improve since then, and Samsung now has a more affordable foldable option.
Sony Xperia PRO 5G: $2500
sony
When searching this list, I didn’t expect to find a Sony phone, but the Xperia PRO 5G blew my mind. Sony launched the phone in early 2021 for a whopping $2,500.
What makes this phone so expensive? From the looks of it, it looks like a pretty standard smartphone. Don’t be fooled, it packs a lot of significant hardware — and it’s not just big numbers of megapixels.
The Xperia PRO 5G can act as a 4K camera monitor, file transfer device and 5G modem. It’s a phone aimed at people who do a lot of high-end video and photography work. It’s not for everyone, but for the right one, it might be worth the price.
Vertu Signature Cobra: $360,000
Dimensional
You can’t write a list of the most expensive phones without including the Vertu. The luxury brand has long been making ridiculous devices. The Signature Cobra is one of the dumbest cobras, and it sold for a whopping $360,000 in 2017.
We now fall into the category of unrealistically expensive phones. The Signature Cobra isn’t even a smartphone. It’s a pretty basic feature phone with gold plating and a jeweled cobra that wraps around the phone. This is an example of trying to look so expensive that it ends up being cheap and tacky.
Goldvish Le Million: $1.3 million
Goldwish
Speaking of tacky phones… oh my gosh. The Goldvish Le Million is one of the ugliest phones I’ve found in my research. It debuted in 2006 for an insane $1.3 million.
This was before the original iPhone was released, so we can forgive Goldvish Le Million for not being a smartphone. That crazy price comes from an odd boomerang-shaped 18-karat white gold body. It is also topped with 120 carats of diamonds.
kicker? Only three of them were made. At least you know you have something unique.
Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond: $48.5 million
falcon
Over the years, many designers have released ornately decorated iPhones. Nothing beats $48.5 million for this Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond.
Compared to other custom iPhones, this iPhone is very simple. This is an iPhone 6 in 24-karat gold. There are also rose gold and platinum versions. But what brought the disastrous price tag? Large diamond on the back.
Yes, this is actually an iPhone with a large pink diamond embedded in the back. A diamond of this size is generally considered very valuable. Anyone who bought this phone in 2004 wanted to show it off.
Oh, and if $48.5 million is a little too much for you, there are more affordable versions at $42.5 million and $32.5 million, respectively.
