Vertu Signature Touch (2015) vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Clash of Eras

The Vertu Signature Touch (2015) represented the pinnacle of luxury smartphone design, boasting handcrafted materials and bespoke services. Now, let's pit it against the modern powerhouse, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, a device packed with cutting-edge technology. Can a legacy of luxury compete with today's innovation?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max unequivocally wins on almost every technical front – performance, camera, display, and battery life. However, the Vertu Signature Touch offers a unique appeal through its handcrafted design, premium materials, and concierge services, catering to a niche market prioritizing exclusivity over raw power.

PHONES
Phone Names Vertu Signature Touch (2015) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, 25, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2894, A2896
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
  TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2895
Launch
Announced2015, September. Released 2015, October2022, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, September 16
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions155 x 74 x 10.8 mm (6.10 x 2.91 x 0.43 in)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIMMicro-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight225-236 g (8.32 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 Titanium body (forged grade 5) and luxurious calf leather covered rear panelIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionSapphire crystal glassCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSapphire crystal glassLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.56 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.82 GHz Cortex-A57)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 430Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSAndroid 5.1 (Lollipop)iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single21 MP, PDAF12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
VideoYes4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single2.1 MP12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video-4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL), OTGLightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC2 Wireless (Qi)Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3160 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsJet Calf, Garnet Calf, Grape Lizard, Pure Jet Lizard, Jet Alligator, Pure Navy Alligator, Clous de Paris Alligator, Pure Jet Red GoldSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Models-A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
PriceAbout 9000 EUR€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR-1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 121h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Vertu Signature Touch (2015)

  • Handcrafted design and premium materials
  • Bespoke concierge services
  • Unique and exclusive appeal
  • Sapphire crystal display (likely)

  • Outdated performance
  • Limited app compatibility
  • Poor battery life
  • Expensive to repair
  • Camera quality is dated

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance (A16 Bionic)
  • Stunning display (OLED, high brightness)
  • Superior camera system
  • Long battery life
  • Wide app ecosystem
  • Modern features (MagSafe, Qi2)

  • Less unique design
  • Can be expensive
  • Repair costs can be high

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's display is a clear winner. Its 1760 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio offer unparalleled clarity and vividness, far surpassing the Vertu's likely lower resolution and brightness. The Vertu's display, while likely using sapphire crystal, simply can't compete with the iPhone's modern OLED technology.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera system is vastly superior. It offers significantly better image quality, advanced features like Cinematic mode and ProRes video recording, and improved low-light performance. The Vertu's camera, while adequate for its time, is no match for the iPhone's capabilities.

Performance

The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is in a different league than the Snapdragon 810 in the Vertu. The iPhone delivers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and superior graphics performance. The Vertu, while functional for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding apps and games.

Battery Life

The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 121 hours. The Vertu's battery life was likely considerably shorter, given the Snapdragon 810's power consumption and the phone's age.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Vertu Signature Touch (2015)? Collectors of luxury goods, individuals seeking a unique, handcrafted device with personalized services, and those prioritizing aesthetics over performance. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Anyone seeking a top-tier smartphone with exceptional performance, a stunning camera, a vibrant display, and long-lasting battery life – the average consumer looking for the best overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Vertu Signature Touch still worth buying?
Only if you prioritize the luxury and exclusivity of a handcrafted device and don't need cutting-edge performance. It's more of a collector's item than a practical smartphone.
❓ How does the Vertu's concierge service work?
Vertu offered a personalized concierge service providing assistance with travel, dining reservations, and other lifestyle needs. The availability and quality of this service may vary depending on the specific Vertu model and current support.