Vietnam-based Karalux, which is famous for its trademark gold-plated gifts, has released a 24K gold variant of the flagship Samsung smartphones Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
The company has anodized the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones using the same process it deployed for the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ gold-plated versions. However, there is a slight alteration - the process for gold-plating the smartphones is lengthier - as Samsung switched to A6000 grade aluminum (from A7000) for the current-gen flagship.
"The frame of S7 and S7 edge made from A6000 aluminum, so it is easy to gold-plate than A7000 aluminum ones. Galaxy S6 & S6 edge, Note 5 made from A7000 aluminum contains many different metal components, so our engineers have also created different processes as well as gilding methods," says Quang Tu, the technical director of Karalux.
The duration for the gold-plating process has increased, as now the disassembly procedure for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge needs more precision when compared to the older Samsung handsets that Karalux gold-plated in the past.
To achieve the premium gold-plated Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge variants, the Vietnamese company's engineering team worked relentlessly for 6 hours at a stretch. The process the team undertook encompassed 10 different stages, which included surface activation, surface treatment and the creation of dissimilar layers of metal, as well coating the 24K gold layer onto the Samsung handsets.
The engineers from Karalux also coated a Nano layer on the exterior of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones. This process not only helps keep the gold layer from eroding, but also makes the surface stronger and robust.
This is not the first time the 24K gold models of the latest Samsung smartphones have been made by third parties. Earlier in March, we reported that Goldgenie was offering limited editions of the Galaxy S7 edge and the Galaxy S7 for nearly $3,000.
The Karalux versions of the 24K gold-plated Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones also cost a pretty penny. The Galaxy S7 is priced at $1,750, whereas the Galaxy S7 edge will set you back by $1,950.
Interestingly, the local price of the smartphones is cheaper - VND 35 million (Galaxy S7) and VND 40 million (Galaxy S7 edge) - vis-à-vis the VND 38.5 million (Galaxy S7) and VND 43 million (Galaxy S7 edge) for international consumers.
If it is any solace, Karalux is offering free standard international shipping. The estimated delivery time window is between two to seven days, depending on the country.
