Bling-bling ... here's one iPhone you won't be buying for your staff

Bling-bling ... here's one iPhone you won't be buying for your staff

Although more and more companies are providing staff with iPads, iPhones and other mobile technology, gold plating company Goldgenie has announced a customised iPhone that'll smash even the most generous of equipment budgets.

The completely ridiculous Superstar Ice iPhone 5 is customised with 200 grams of solid 18-carat gold, making it look less like a phone and more like a prop from Bond film Goldfinger. (That's about where the parallels with James Bond end, mind you. We can't really see Daniel Craig using this abomination to place a call to Q.)

Oh, and the price? At £68,000, it's just a smidgen over the usual £699 retail price for a top-end iPhone 5. That does include a luxury cherry oak box, plus a certficate of authenticity, mind you.

There are a number of downsides to owning this fine customised gadget, of course. In addition to looking like a numpty every time you make a call, you'll find your iPhone 5 is noticeably heavier and more attractive to thieves.

No news on what all that gold does to signal strength, but encasing an antenna in metal is generally a good way to significantly reduce its effectiveness.

If gold isn't your thing, you can also get Goldgenie to cover an iPhone 5 with diamonds instead - or any other precious stone you require. Alternatively, this £3.99 cover from Amazon will accomplish much the same thing.

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