British manufacturer Vertu has always created smartphones for people seemingly with more money than sense, and the new Constellation should continue in this time-honoured tradition.

The new Constellation is handmade, and brings together “streamlined aesthetics and the finest materials”, which makes for a handset that at least looks a bit out of the ordinary.

As far as specs are concerned, the Constellation can certainly compete with last year’s flagships, thanks to a 5.5” WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED screen with a decent 539 ppi, a 12 MP camera with enhanced light sensitivity, Android 6.0 and a fingerprint scanner. Android Authority further reports it includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, along with a decent wallop of 4 GB RAM, 128 GB of storage with a microSD expansion, and a 3220 mAh battery.

The screen, by the way, is a scratchproof, 140 carat 6th generation sapphire crystal screen, while you get onboard Dolby Digital Plus virtual surround sound and a soft leather case. All calls are fully encrypted, while the phone supports dual-SIM, since those who will buy the Constellation most probably travel a lot rather than because calls are cheaper on Cell C pre-paid.

The Constellation also provides access to Vertu’s 24-hour concierge service, dubbed Concierge to minimise confusion, and Vertu Life, which offers, “an inspiring selection of exclusive experiences that reflect your lifestyle and desires”.

Although price has not been confirmed yet, we can imagine it will be reassuringly expensive. The Vertu Constellation should be in shops, sorry, boutiques from mid-February 2017.