Unveiling the Luxurious Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT was a luxury feature phone announced in January 2011 and released in the second quarter of the same year. The device was created through a collaboration between Vertu, a British manufacturer known for its handcrafted luxury phones, and Ferrari, the iconic Italian sports car manufacturer. The Ascent Ferrari GT was designed to cater to high-end mobile phone users, emphasizing premium materials and luxurious design. Although the phone has been discontinued, it remains a noteworthy entry in the luxury mobile phone market.

Design and Build Quality

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT was inspired by the sleek and dynamic design of Ferrari cars. It featured a body crafted from premium materials, including titanium and hand-stitched leather, providing an opulent feel and exceptional durability. The device measured 118 x 45 x 18 mm and weighed 187 grams, which contributed to its solid and substantial feel. This combination of craftsmanship and materials aligned with the luxury automotive brand it was associated with.

Display

The phone came with a 2.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 200 pixels per inch. This display was protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal layer, emphasizing durability and clarity. While the screen size and resolution might not compete with modern smartphone standards, it was adequate for the needs of the phone's target audience at the time.

Camera

Equipped with a 5-megapixel autofocus camera and an LED flash, the Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT offered users basic photography capabilities. It supported video recording, allowing users to capture both still images and videos. Despite not being equipped with a front-facing camera, the main camera's performance was adequate for its class and period.

Performance and Hardware

As a feature phone, the Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT was not designed to compete with modern smartphones in terms of functionality or performance. However, the hardware was suitably tailored for the device's luxury positioning. It offered 32GB of internal storage, but lacked a card slot for expandable memory, which meant users had to rely on the built-in storage.

Connectivity and Features

The phone supported GSM and HSPA network technologies, covering a wide range of frequency bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100). Connectivity features included Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and microUSB 2.0 for data transfer and device charging. The phone also offered GPS and A-GPS for location services. While WLAN and radio features were absent, the phone did include essential features like SMS, MMS, and email messaging, alongside a basic WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser.

Battery Life

The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT was powered by a removable Lithium-Ion battery. The device offered up to 300 hours of standby time on both 2G and 3G networks and provided talk time of up to 4 hours and 50 minutes on 2G and up to 4 hours on 3G. These figures reflect the efficient power management of the device, despite its limited battery capacity compared to modern smartphones.

User Interface and Operating System

Running on a proprietary operating system typical of feature phones, the Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT provided a straightforward user interface that was easy to navigate. The device included an accelerometer, adding a layer of intuitive interaction for users. Its software package included built-in games and support for Java MIDP 2.0 apps, offering some level of entertainment and productivity capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT was a distinctive luxury device that combined high-end materials and craftsmanship with the aesthetic and branding influence of Ferrari. While it did not compete with smartphones in terms of advanced features or capabilities, it offered a unique proposition for users seeking a luxurious and well-crafted mobile phone. Today, it stands as a testament to the era of feature phones where design and brand prestige were paramount for a segment of the mobile market.