1. Gold-wrapped AirPods Pro
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Gold is the new black. Thus decided the Russian-Italian firm Caviar, which modifies smartphones and accessories, when it came to the new AirPods Pro.
It created a new version of the earphones plus case, both arrayed in solid 750-content gold. The increase in weight only adds to the experience, say the creators, since “real works of jewelry are distinguished by a nice weightiness that highlights their exclusivity.”
Only one pair of such earphones was up for sale — at a tasty 4.29 million rubles ($67,790). Want to buy them? Too late, sorry.
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For slightly more modest pockets there is a version of Apple’s trademark earphones wrapped in python and alligator skin. There’s a choice of color too: white, indigo, green, or caramel pink.
The price ranges from 74,000 to 99,000 rubles ($1,160–15,500), depending on the color and material of the case.
2. iPhone 11 Pro with fragment of Steve Jobs turtleneck
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Each of these nine smartphones features an engraving of Steve Jobs’ autograph, plus the back of the case has been fashioned after the first iPhone model, and “a piece of the legendary turtleneck owned by Steve Jobs” has been inserted into the bitten-apple logo. The emblem itself is made of blackened titanium.
The company specifies neither how it got hold of the clothes of the former Apple CEO, nor the price of the device.
3. Samsung Fold Game of Thrones Edition
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Caviar did not wait for the release of The Winds of Winter, George R.R. Martin’s long-awaited next instalment in his epic fantasy series. Instead, they put the cover of the forthcoming book on a modified Samsung Fold with bendable screen.
Depicted on the case are the symbols of the noble houses of Westeros, a map of the Seven Kingdoms, and gilded dragons. The price of the smartphone is an equally regal 649,000 rubles ($10,180).
4. iPhone 8 Golden Russian
MOON design - Custom iPhone Studio
Another Russian modding studio, Moon Design, released a special collection of smartphones bearing the national emblem of Russia.
As conceived by the designers, patriotism is sure to be inspired by the alligator in Italian leather trim and the coat of arms of the Russian Federation, made of pure gold.
For an additional charge, the smartphone’s case can be engraved with the buyer’s initials, and the smartphone itself supplied in a luxury wooden box.
The price varies from 99,000 to 175,000 rubles ($1,500–2,740).
5. SimaPhone 6 and 6s Classic
In 2015, renowned Russian designer Denis Simachev and design studio Feld&Volk released an iPhone 6 collection featuring a traditional Russian khokhloma pattern. The design concept sought to “unobtrusively emphasize the owner’s bold taste and non-standard view of everyday things.” The smartphone case is made of aluminum, with a back panel finished with sapphire crystal and decorated with gold print. A nice touch is the soft flicker of the Apple logo (which doesn’t drain the battery).
The smartphone costs 159,000 rubles ($2,490). The online store also offers an iPhone 6s with the same print for 129,900 rubles ($2,035), without explaining why the later model is cheaper.
6. Orthodox push-button phone
For those who prefer retro push-button devices to modern smartphones, and want to stand out from the crowd, Gresso has created a special limited “Orthodox” collection of phones. A total of 988 units were made, a nod to the year when Russia adopted Christianity.
The gold leaf-coated body likewise evokes thoughts of the Almighty — the same coating is used to adorn the domes of Orthodox churches. And the back of the phone bears an image of a cross with the inscription “Save and protect.”
Optionally, each button on the keypad can be diamond-encrusted — this version will set you back a holy 1.5 million rubles ($23,500); the regular version costs 450,000 rubles ($7,050).